Dr. Marshall Barnes
With a Ph.D. in musical composition from the University of Iowa, supplemented by graduate study at Julliard, Dr. Barnes embarked upon a lengthy career as a composer and educator at the University of Iowa, Trinity University (San Antonio), and Ohio State (where he served on the faculty for 31 years, including seven as chairman of the music theory and composition department). Former students include Stephen Montague, John Ness Beck, John Tatgenhorst, William Buelow, and Ian Polster. Dr. Barnes has composed for area churches, Columbus Symphony Choir, Pro Musica Chamber Orchestra, Cantari Singers, Bicentennial Celebration at the Kennedy Center in Washington, National Conference of the National Education Association at Madison Square Garden, and is published by Summy Birchard, G. Shirmer, Opus, and Ginn. For 39 years, he has been an adjudicator for National Guild of Piano Teachers and 40 years for Ohio Music Educators Association. He holds Master Teacher Certificate from Music Teachers National Association.
Alphonse Cincione
Born in Castel di Sangro in 1884, Cincione immigrated to the US in 1900 at the age of 16. Taking up the baritone sax and clarinet, he moved from NY to California then to Columbus in 1910, where he became a founding member of Local 103 American Federation of Musicians. During World War I, he played clarinet in the Rainbow Division military band. Returning to Columbus, Cincione became director of Franklin Post #1 American Legion Band until mid-50s. In addition to various parades (Memorial, Armistice, St. Patrick's Day) and state and local fairs, the legion band traveled throughout state and nation, performing in Paris in 1927 at legion convention. Under his direction, the band won the national championship in Miami, in 1934. Cincione taught music at St. Mary's H.S. (1934-50), as well as at Dublin, Plain City, Rosedale, Sedalia, and South Solon schools simultaneously, spending one day a week at each.
Marjorie Alden Coyle
Born in Glouster, Ohio, in 1923, Coyle attended school in Columbus, graduating from Central H.S. As a child in the 30s, she was an amateur singer on local radio, and also in area clubs such as the Moose, Eagles, and Elks. In 1943, she began singing with the Don Crawford Band at Buckeye Lake's Crystal Ballroom. Later, she worked with the Chuck Selby, Bob Marvin, Ziggy Coyle, Henry & Ray Cincione, and Howdy Mauger bands. In addition to performances at music industry shows in Houston, Atlanta, and Chicago, she appeared in a musical show at Carnegie Hall and other musical programs in the New York City with Alan Abel. Coyle also made several appearances with Lawrence Welk at the Aragon Ballroom in Hollywood. As staff vocalist at WLW-C TV during the days of live television, she was seen regularly on the Spook Beckman and Jack Denton shows. She is also the featured vocalist with Dr. Robert Everhart's 36-piece orchestra. Since 1956, she has been married to 1995 CSMHOF inductee Ziggy Coyle.
Richard DiCenzo
Born in 1926, DiCenzo began playing clarinet at age 12, studying with Sam Giammarco (a 1995 CSMHOF inductee). At 15, he toured the United States with the USO. A year later, he joined Henry Cincione's RKO Palace pit band. Following his graduation from North H.S., where he played in the band under T.H. Lehman, DiCenzo became a working musician in the truest sense of the word. For four years, he played 7 nights a week at both the Gloria and Riviera Nite Clubs without a break. He also found time to play in the fabled WBNS radio band. In 1948, he hired into Aaron Cohen's band in Bay City, MI, where he subsequently met his wife. Four of DiCenzo's five sons are professional musicians.
Fred Gump
Gump, born in 1933, did not start out to be a musician. A graduate of North H.S. and Ohio State, majoring in engineering, he spent seven years at Battelle Memorial Institute, before quitting to pursue music full time. Starting in his 20s, he played drums in the bands of Ziggy Coyle, Bob Marvin, Charlie Pickens, Joe Susi, Gene Stewart, Joe Dunlap, Joe Schmalz, Ola Hanson, and many more. However, he is especially remembered for his long time association with Al Waslohn. Gump worked for Ziggy Coyle for many years teaching and repairing instruments. He has also toured and/or appeared with Bobby Hackett, Wild Bill Davidson, Jimmy McPartland, Teddy Wilson, Gene Mayl's Dixieland Rhythm Kings, Billy Maxted, etc. Locally, he has performed at Benny Klein's, Top of the Center, Ciro's, The Grandview Inn, Kitty's Show Bar, The Sands. Since 1980, he has been co-leader (with Joe Schmalz) of the Capital City Jazz Band.
Glenn Harriman
Having taken an M.A. at Ohio State University, Harriman established himself as both a first rate and musician and musical educator. He has taught privately for 56 years and has served the Columbus Public Schools for 32 years, directing bands at South High and Franklin, Starling, and Johnson Park Junior High Schools. He has also served as adjunct professor at Capital and Denison Universities and Otterbein and Wooster Colleges. For 20 years, Harriman was principal trombonist for the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. He has played with the Fort Riley U.S. Military and 52nd Ordinance Group Bands, as well as the Toronto Symphony, Springfield Symphony, Delta Rhythm Kings, Muscat Ramblers, Woody Herman, Vaud-Villities Orchestra, Cyndi Black Big Band, Elson LeFevre Band, among many others. He founded and directed the ensemble Trombones Please, has arranged for bands and harp ensembles, and recorded with Dixieland combos. In 1979-80, the Harrimans were chosen the Ohio Musical Family of the Year.
Samuel W. Hopkins, Sr.
Originally from Richmond, Indiana, Hopkins "never looked for a job", but started playing alto sax professionally at age 14. His mentor was Wheeler Morin, a band leader from Munice, who brought him to Columbus. He joined locally based Chick Carter & His Dixie Rhythm Boys. Over the year, Hopkins also toured and recorded with Eddie Millner's band, featuring Millner's wife Ethel Waters, and also Lucky Millinder, one of the first racially mixed groups. He is heard on many of the recordings by both groups. Returning to Columbus when the big band era ended, Hopkins led various combos through 40s, 50s, and 60s, including one that featured a young Nancy Wilson, at such legendary venues as the Turf Club, Club Regal, Musical Bar, etc. Hopkins continues to play whenever he can because he still loves it.
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
Born Ronald T. Kirk in Columbus in 1935, Kirk was one of the most versatile and electrifying performers in the history of jazz. At 11, he was playing in R & B bands and at 14 he was fronting his own group. Inspired by a dream, he taught himself to play 2 or 3 instruments simultaneously (in three part harmony!), employing modified fingerings and a "circular" breathing technique which allowed him to hold a single note for up to 20 minutes at a time. In his "duet for one", he played Ellington's "Sentimental Journey" and Dvorak's "Going Home" simultaneously. A master of the sax, flute, and clarinet, Kirk also specialized in such obscure instruments as the strich and manzello. He was constantly on the look out for new "sounds" to add to his repertoire. Kirk recorded dozens of albums, sometimes using pseudonyms, for Prestige, Verve, Atlantic, Mercury, Limelight, Warner Brothers, Pacific Jazz, EmArcy. He also won accolades in a variety of music polls and publications. When a stroke in 1975 left him partially paralyzed on one side, Kirk continued to perform one-handed up until his death from a second stroke 2 years later.
Frank LaRue
While still attending South H.S. in the 30s, LaRue was already a featured violin soloist with the Columbus Symphony and began playing regularly with George McGarvey's Orchestra at Beechwold Tavern. Though offered full scholar-ships to Julliard and Ohio State, LaRue turned them down in order to help support his family. He immediately found employment with Frank Ferneau at the Neil House and John McGeary at WBNS radio. It was with Ferneau at the Tavernel Gardens that his multiple talents were first put on display, as violinist, trombonist, bassist, vocalist, and arranger. At the State Restaurant, he sang in a trio with Dino Martini (aka Dean Martin), who latter tried to induce him to come to Hollywood. In addition to working with virtually every other top musician in town, LaRue started his own orchestra, playing weekends at the Seneca Hotel for 10 years and Columbus Maennerchor for 6 years. He contributed arrangements for Doc Everhart's Orchestra and Vaud-Villities (in addition to serving as principal violinist and concert master for 12 years). He toured with Wayne King, Stan Kenton, and Sammy Watkins, continuing to work steady until his death in 1974.
Bruno Masdea
At age 10, Masdea learned to play the trumpet from his father. After leaving St. Thomas Acquinas H.S., he served in the Air Force, then returned to Columbus to form "The Dukes of Rhythm". However, his greatest acclaim came as co-founder for The Fabulous Forties" big band with Dale Groves in 1971. They debuted at Valley Dale and helped to usher in the big band revival locally. In 1980s, the name was changed to the Bruno Masdea Big Dance Band. The group has performed at the Hope Ball, Candy Cane Ball, Symphony Ball, and Potentate Ball at Aladdin Temple. In 1996, Madsea put together a reunion band to commemorate 50 years in the music business.
Dr. Donald McGinnis
Born in Barberton, Ohio, in 1917, Dr. McGinnis graduated from Wadsworth H.S. He received two undergraduate degrees from Oberlin Conservatory of Music, and an MA and PhD from University of Iowa. He retired from Ohio State in 1979, after 38 years of teaching flute and clarinet, during which served as chairman of the performance division for many years and acting director of the School of Music (1973-74), helped found the Faculty Woodwind Quintet, and conducted the OSU concert band for 27 years. Dr. McGinnis has been a guest conductor, soloist, and clinician in 45 states and many countries. Beginning in 1941, he was principal clarinetist with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, then principal flutist for 10 years, and assistant conductor 1974-1982. He has also been involved with the Wheeling and Southeastern Ohio Symphony Orchestras. A visiting professor at Capital and Indiana Universities, Dr. McGinnis is past president of the American Bandmasters Association, With Edmund Siennicki, he published Etudes for the Advanced Clarinetist. His recordings include Clarinet Contest Music and Donald McGinnis Plays Clarinet.
Sonia Modes
For 46 years, Modes has been performing throughout the Columbus area. "The First Lady of Piano in Columbus", as she is known to many, she has never taken a day off, never taken a vacation. Modes has had extended runs at the Kahiki Restaurant (with her trio), Desert Inn, Top Steak House, Neil House Hotel, Bexley Monk, and the Defense Construction Supply Center Officers Club, in addition to many private functions. When she is not working, she volunteers to play at the Wexner Heritage House, a skilled nursing facility on College Avenue, or at events such as the Columbus Senior Musicians Hall of Fame.
Paul "Snook" Neal
Skilled on the trumpet, piano, organ, celeste, nova-chord, vibraphone, bass viol, valve trombone, Neal was also highly regarded as a vocalist and arranger. He arrived in Columbus in 1934, and started playing at WBNS radio (where he became traffic manager and later program director), as well as with the Frank Ferneau, Ernie McKay, and Hugo Monaco Orchestras. In 1938, Neal formed the staff orchestra for WBNS radio with Walter Knick, and was featured on many broadcasts on that station, and also WELD-FM and WBNS-TV. During WWII, he played at the Ft. Hayes Officers and NCO Club, Naval Officers Club at Port Columbus, Tavernel in Bexley, USO Club in Trinity Episcopal Church. He was a member of the Buzz Saws barber shop quartet (1995 CSMHOF inductees), the Aladdin Shrine Band, and Young Business Mens Club shows at Hartman Theater, for which he wrote songs, made arrangements, helped rehearse the orchestra, and played the piano.
Randall W. Near
Born in 1915, Near has been a violinist for 75 years. He started in 1932 playing square dances in 1932, and went on to earned degrees from Capital and Ohio State Universities. During 30s, Near played in the Columbus Symphony and Columbus Civic Opera Orchestras. He was concert master of the Capital University Orchestra, and violin soloist with Men's Glee Club. In 1942, he played in Columbus Philharmonic under Izler Solomon. A well known music educator, Near started bands and orchestras at Reynoldsburg, Linden-McKinley, and Brookhaven High Schools. He also organized and directed the orchestra for Maennerchor and was concert master for Vaud-Villities for two years. In addition to jobbing as a strolling violinist or with a trio, he led a string quartet which performed at State Fair Fine Arts Building for 15 years.
Les Susi
As a trumpet player, Susi joined the musicians union at age 14. Over the years, he played in the Chuck Selby, Henry & Ray Cincione, Don Crawford, Francis Carl, Ned Mapes, and Doc Everhart bands, as well as the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. He served as conductor and music director of the Columbus Symphony Youth Orchestra, and was co-founder and co-conductor of Columbus Concert Band. For many years, he taught in the Columbus Public School system, notably at Whetstone H.S. He currently is associate conductor of the Brass Band of Columbus and chairman of music committee at Our Lady of Peace. Among the local venues in which he has performed are the Gayety Theater, Club Alexander, The Dugout, Palm Garden, Gloria, Riviera, Deshler-Wallick, Neil House, Southern and Virginia Hotels.
Mac Tooill
Born in 1905, pianist and band lead Tooill attended North H.S.and played "Summer on the Lake" at Buckeye Lake with another local boy, Pee Wee Hunt. While working as insurance underwriter for The Columbus Dispatch and the Farm Bureau (later Nationwide Insurance), he also led Mac Tooill's Masqueraders aka Mac Tooill and his Orchestra from the mid '20s through the early '50s. Tooill and his band played every Friday and Saturday night and two or three nights during the week, often at Ft. Hayes, Deshler Hotel, Valley Dale, Gloria, etc. During World War II, he played many USO canteens. Annually, he appeared at the Circleville Pumpkin Show and Hilltop Minstrel. He also is remembered for Monday night Jive Nights at Olympic Swimming Pool. Tommy Dale, Ziggy Coyle, Les Susi, Jeanne Cummins, and Richard DiCenzo are among those who played in Tooill's band. His son, also named Mac Tooill, was, perhaps, the world's greatest ukelele player.
Theodore H. Turner
While attending Steubenville H.S. in the early '40s, Turner toured with Jay McShann band for 15 days and The International Sweethearts of Rhythm for 10 days. In mid-forties, he served in 201st Army Ground Forces Band directed by his brother, Charles L. Turner. In 1946, he joined the Carolina Cotton Pickers, then the Jimmy Coe band at the Sky Club in Indianapolis. That fall, he enrolled at The Ohio State University, where he helped establish the OSU Jazz Forum (along with Ziggy Coyle and Gene D'Angelo) and the Ted Turner Sextet. Turner was first chair cornet in OSU concert band 1948-1950, and first chair trumpet in OSU symphony He arranged for the OSU marching band, and graduated with a BS in education and music.
John Ulrich
Born in Evans City, Pennsylvania, in 1922, Ulrich attended Capital University from 1940-43 & 1946-47, graduating with BA in music education. A pianist, vibraphon-ist, and trumpeter, he began playing professionally at age 12. Ulrich worked with George Towne Orchestra in Columbus 1955-60, then with Clyde McCoy at NYC Roundtable in 1960. Joining Muggsy Spanier for 1 1/2 years and the Don Goldie Quartette, he played throughout southwest, before hooking up Pee Wee Hunt, Dick Baars, and Phil Napoleon in Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, and for Jackie Gleason Show. Ulrich has also worked with Jack Maheu and the Salt City Six, Bill Davidson, the Bobby Hackett Quintette, Smokey Stover, Gene Mayl's Dixieland Rhythm Kings, and his own combos. He has appeared on the Jackie Gleason Show, Today Show, Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival, while conducting/directing bands for Milton Berle, Sid Caeser, Robert Goulet. In addition to teaching at Dennison and Capital Universities and the Jazz City Workshop. he has published Get It Together (piano method) and Chords and Scales. Locally, Ulrich has performed with Ray Cincione, Abe Dworkin, Chuck Selby, Howard Mauger, Howdy Gorman, New Remnants Band, and was musical director of Press Club's Gridiron Show for 5 years.
Carolyn G. Utz
Utz attended school in Columbus, earning BSEd and MA degrees from The Ohio State University. She began studying piano from age nine and string bass at eleven. A highly regarded music educator, Utz initiated music programs at North Carolina Central and Kentucky State Universities, as well as Edward Waters College. She was an instrumental music teacher in Columbus Public Schools for 19 years. For 30 years, Utz was a member of the Columbus Philharmonic/Columbus Symphony Orchestras, and was principal bass in Women's Symphony Orchestra. From 1971-1991, she conducted the "Top Teen Orchestra". For her community service, she was inducted into the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame, and has also received Columbus Mayor's Award for the arts.
Anne Young
During her last three years at Marion Harding H.S., Young sang 6 nights a week with a big band at the Sunset Club in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. Moving to Delaware, she sang with the Ohio Wesleyan Campus Band for two years, then came to Columbus to continue performing. She became featured vocalist with the Chuck Selby band in 1955, working four to five nights a week. She also was vocalist on the Spook Beckman WTVN afternoon show for one year, and made guest appearances with Sally Flowers and Gene Fullen. Five years after joining Selby's band, she married the band leader, helping him to manage Valley Dale. Following his death, she took over operation of the band, as well as starting her "Music By Anne Young" organization. In 1985, she phased out the big band work, except for special occasions such as backing Al Martino in his local appearances and the Governor's Inaugural Ball, focusing her energies on her small group. She has enjoyed steady bookings at clubs and weddings. Milano's Steak House, Monte Carlo, Ebenezer's Steak House (Lancaster), Delaware Hotel, and Lombardo's are among the many venues in which she has been heard.
