Posted by Rick Denney on March 29, 2003 at 22:08:37:
In Reply to: Re: Best Tone Quality posted by Sean Chisham on March 29, 2003 at 00:37:43:
I've heard a number of top pros in live concerts. Hearing Mike (way back in San Antonio) was what finally compelled me to start playing the tuba again. And hearing him up close is a sound that I'm still chasing. He has for me the ideal sound.
My dim memory suggests that Mike said Chester Schmitz had the best orchestral sound in the biz, but that was in the middle 80's. I've never heard Floyd Cooley live, but I'm awe-struck by his musicianship on his recordings. I'm not sure one can answer the question based on recordings, because the tuba sound works with the room in ways the microphone doesn't seem to pick up.
Rick "who hasn't heard everyone and can't say who's 'best'" Denney