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Toby Hanks
Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2021 9:19 pm
by LeMark
It's being reported that Toby Hanks has passed away. Waiting for confirmation, but. The source seems reliable.
Sad day in the tuba world
Re: Toby Hanks
Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2021 9:27 pm
by the elephant
Holy cow!
Rest in peace to all three men. I never met HoJo but I did meet Toby on several occasions when I lived in Brooklyn between 1985 and 1988. I was not lucky enough to ever hear Red Lehr play live, but like both Toby and Howard: I enjoyed everything of his that I heard on my home stereo system.
Our little world just lost three of its giants in short order.
This is very sad information to read.
Re: Toby Hanks
Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2021 11:13 pm
by bort2.0
I took a handful of lessons from Toby in my last year at the University of Maryland (he was the tuba instructor). He was a great teacher and very kind. I wasn't a music major, but he did try to talk me into it. "People should pay to hear you play," he said. HA! I didn't believe it then or now... When he asked me why I didn't want to be a music major, I told him I couldn't tolerate the risk or uncertainty of so few career opportunities. He quickly understood, and encouraged me to keep playing after I was done in school. And obviously, I have done that. Thanks, Toby, for the vote of confidence.
Anyone know how old he was?
RIP, Toby.
Re: Toby Hanks
Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2021 1:43 am
by bloke
I believe he was nearly 80, and I seem to remember that his proper first name is Thompson.
Re: Toby Hanks
Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2021 5:28 am
by the elephant
Yes, Thompson. And I had the impression that he was about 20 years older than me when I got the lesson from him or otherwise met with him. So I would have placed it more at about 75. Either way, he lived a long life.
My favorite recording of his playing was with the NYBQ on the Jan Bach "Laudes", which was some truly phenominal stuff.
Re: Toby Hanks
Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2021 7:34 am
by Yorkboy
Sad news to hear this morning; all I can say is I hope your source is wrong.
Re: Toby Hanks
Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2021 11:32 am
by bloke
Re: Toby Hanks
Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2021 6:52 pm
by graybach
Jim Self posted this on Facebook:
“... So Mel Greenagle, Toby Hanks and Howard Johnson died yesterday. Red Lehr few days ago and now Bob Pallansch today. Tough time for tuba players. All great friends and important musicians...”
Re: Toby Hanks
Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2021 6:55 pm
by bort2.0
Wait, Bob, too?
I thought 2021 was going to be better...
Re: Toby Hanks
Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2021 7:22 pm
by graybach
Re: Toby Hanks
Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2021 9:27 pm
by Yorkboy
Seems to be true, sadly.
Toby Hanks
Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2021 10:03 am
by Robert Tucci
Toby was a fine and courteous gentleman and a musician of the highest order. Looking back at the early Seventies, his performances with the New York Brass Quintet for example, there was none better nor more elegant.
Bob Tucci
Re: Toby Hanks
Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2021 7:33 pm
by Yorkboy
Farewell to a great musician and human being. He was a profound influence in my life.
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/ ... =197516017