Grant Wolf Memorial WebSite

MEMORIES OF GRANT WOLF.

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August 21, 2002 First News from Fred

Hate to be the bearer of sad tidings........

Our friend, who has meant so much to us, in so many ways, Grant Wolf,
passed away Sunday night, August 18 at approximately 7:30pm. It is a
shock to everyone. The doctors have not determined a cause of death at
this time.

We are organizing a memorial service for this Saturday, August 24.
Trying to locate a space at MCC to accommodate everyone.

The family has requested accounts opened up for Parker and Emily - a
scholarship fund to help them through college instead of flowers.

I'll be sending out follow up email with all the details.

You can be of help by notifying other individuals. My email list is by
no means complete. Please call friends or forward this email.

God be with you,

Fred

Posted by Jeff Papineau

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Dear Friends,

I believe this information is complete.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00pm, Saturday, August 24, 2002 at The
Theater Outback on the Mesa Community College campus, 1833 W. Southern
Ave., followed by a reception in the Navajo Room. In place of floral
arrangements, the family has opened a scholarship account for Emily and
Grant (Parker). Please make checks payable to Emily Wolf and Grant
Wolf. Please mail to the family residence at 1015 E. Liberty Lane,
Gilbert, AZ 85296-9741.

Several people have replyed to my email with some very nice words about
Grant and their relationship with him. If you would like to send
something, reply to me and I will put them in a book for the family.

Thanks,

Fred

Posted by Jeff Papineau

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August 20, 2002.

Dear Friends,
I'm very sorry to report that: I've learned from several sources that
Grant Wolf passed away a few days ago. Charles Lewis and Gary Foster both called me with
this terrible news. Grant has been struggling with the ITP blood disease for some number of years.
Those who have known of his condition were aware of the potentially deadly consequences
of Grant's disease, yet we had hoped he could medically fight it off.

It's hard to know what to say about someone who was so great, who we loved so much,
who personally was one of the very most important people ever in my life, but these are my
immediate thoughts at this time (when I am still in shock - just having learned the news today.)

Grant affected so many peoples' lives in many very positive ways. He was an inspirational Guru
to many both in music and in life. Several generations of musicians are now out in the world practicing
their craft, much influenced by the lessons we learned from him. Legions of other former students now work outside of music but carry with them a profound appreciation and love for the musical arts they absorbed while students at Mesa Community College.

It was indeed one of the most fortunate days of my life when I ran into Grant at NAU Band Camp at age 17, and of course later was able to study with him at M.C.C.. Becoming a regular in the old Chuy's Choo Choo Monday Nite Band with Grant was a very big deal to me at the time.
At High School NAU Summer Band Camp, all of us high schoolers could immediately recognize that this was a totally cool dude who took a real interest in each of us personally, treated us as equals, and could demonstrate even to relative beginners: how to swing, how to improvise, and what records to listen to.
The first day I ever met Grant was at NAU Summer Music Camp, 1977. Grant was auditioning all the saxes who were trying out for the Jazz Bands there. I played something or other for him, stumbled through some sight reading, and then Grant played blues changes on piano and had me improvise. Finally, this was something I could do! Afterwards, Grant complimented me on my improv, and much to my surprise (and others'), he placed me in the top jazz band. At the NAU Camp, I met great young musicians such as Jim Henry, James Kass, Dave Stocker, Scott Shiever, and Jeff Dellisanti for the first time. Several years later, these same guys would be my classmates at MCC, and great friends even to this day. At my very first band rehearsal with Grant, he played us a record of the great Cuban band "Irakere". Grant said Irakere's pianist Chucho Valdez played really good until he started going totally berserk (a la Cecil Taylor) on his solo. Grant said Chucho was "going Ape-Shit" in that certain Grant voice where he could make something sound really hilarious. We all laughed at that comment and I thought to myself, this big tall guy is very funny and down to earth too! My very first day ever with Grant also involved Grant leading a discussion about free form improvisation in jazz, and we talked about avant-guarde artists such as "The Art Ensemble of Chicago". During that week, our ensemble did in fact experiment with making up totally free-form pieces. Heavy and exciting eye-opening concepts for us, 16 and 17 year old kids!!!
Another time, Grant had us play "Giant Steps" every day for a week, but with a different feel each day. So "Steps" would be a bossa, a ballad, a waltz, a samba, or an up tempo number each day.
Above all else, Grant taught us that it was all-important to really FEEL the music and internalize it.
It was a real wild trip to us high school kids for the instructor to shut off all the lights, plunging the room into total darkness, and announce that "OK, now you're going to improvise a Free Form piece. Go!" (!!!)
One of Grant's most important lessons surfaced that same summer.
One of our fellow students who was really quite an excellent improviser, was kind of 'loafing it' (going through the motions) on his solo one day. Grant dug what was going on and after the tune was finished he very seriously (with those eyes that could burn a hole through you) said, "You know, even though you cats are young, none of us know when we're going to die. Any one of us could get hit by a bus tomorrow, get cancer, a whole gang of things could happen. So every time you play your instrument, you better play it as if it's the last time ever, cuz you really never know." Now, 25 years later, I still remember what Grant said that day as one of the most important and serious things I ever heard about playing music (or doing anything else for that matter). I haven't always been able to live by those words, but it's a state of mind worth striving for.

Grant had the true gift, skills, and knowledge to be able to teach anyone, of any level from total beginner on up.
That is a real teacher! He could really get kids, or adults truly excited about playing music.

I remember at the end of summer music camp, on the last morning, Grant walked the jazz band over to the donut shop just off-campus to celebrate our good concert the night before. One of the kids took in the scene: the very tall Grant Wolf with his long flowing silvery hair leading this pack of youngsters around, and the kid said jokingly, "Hey, it looks like Jesus and His Disciples. Ha Ha Ha!" And you know, in some ways, it really was somewhat like that! We truly had the greatest awe and affection and loyalty for this man. Grant was a magician and we were learning about a magical, swinging, improvised music - Jazz!

Grant and M.C.C. didn't have the big ASU type scholarships to monetarily draw all of the best students around, but many of the up-and-coming players in the area still gravitated to the school for the heavy musical experiences, openness, and freedom they would find there. In the years I went to M.C.C., a taste of the Berkeley/Santa Cruz type counter-culture vibe was swirling around the music department. A lot of exploration and multi-faceted learning was going on there in the years I was there ('79-'82).

Grant always inspired whatever students were at M.C.C. to play Real Music with Heart, Soul, total Commitment, and Real Meaning. Our M.C.C. jazz band created an uproar when we won the 1981 Playboy Jazz Festival College competition. All the big four year California Universities were totally pissed that a Jr. College had won, but we had played some deep and meaningful music with honest improvisations, while the big schools were mostly about precision and flash, without much substance or soul.

We can today think back and appreciate how lucky we were to know Grant and to learn and play music with him. He was truly one of a kind. Grant always encouraged students to think for themselves and to also learn about aspects of philosophy and psychology. I got from Grant that music was a profound, powerful, mystical, transcendent experience that tied into the deeper levels of human existence. Yet Grant could impart these lessons and still be a very normal, unpretentious guy. I can hear him saying "Hey, let's go get a beer!"

I write this tonight from Nashville...on another long road trip with the Lyle Lovett band.
There are three of us in Lyle's band who studied with Grant. Dan Tomlinson and myself at M.C.C., and Tim Ray at NAU camp. Additionally, Lyle's original bassist (Matt McKenzie) (Ray Herndon) and guitarist were former M.C.C. students. And the original pianist, Matt Rollings, was at one of Grant’s workshops with Clare Fischer. Grant had Rollings come into the school and play for us when Matt was about 15 or 16. He was already burnin', even then! Matt is now a top-call studio pianist in Nashville. Francine Reed, who sings with Lyle used to sit in with Grant's Nite Band at Chuy's. This is just one microcosm/small snapshot of Grant's wide-ranging influence.

We are on tour for another month so I probably won't be able to attend whatever memorial service they get together back in AZ. I pray for Grant to now be in total peace and harmony, and I pray for his family.

Grant, you're My Main Man and you will always be in my heart. A Billion Thanks for everything.
Love You Always,
Steve Marsh

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Many of you have no idea who I am but I grew up in Mesa and Tempe between
1973 and 1986. I was touched deeply by Grant's presence and find myself now
incredibly shaken by his absence. Steve has put into words so eloquently and
so beautifully what many of us are feeling. Thank you, Steve! Grant touched
so many people in so many ways... Just knowing that he's gone brings tears
to my eyes though I haven't spoken with him for some time. I'd like to share
a couple of stories because it helped me to hear Steve's and maybe this is
one way I can help ease the pain for myself and others.

When I was a high school student and first took Grant's improve class at NAU
summer camp, I came in expecting to get answers to the many questions I had
about jazz harmony. I guessed that he'd help us analyze chords and scales
and maybe answer all those theoretical questions that plagued me. We got
settled into the room and he wandered up to the chalkboard in that slow
meander of his. His eyes seemed to convey countless promises and stories
untold, his hands worked the chalk back and forth, and his hair screamed for
freedom from that leather string binding it into a ponytail. Surely he would
answer all of life's questions with the ultimate analysis!!

Much to my surprise, he didn't chart out any chord substitutions or
alternate changes. In fact, he didn't even write any music at all. He
simply wrote one word: CREATE. He didn't say anything for a while, but
finally put the chalk down and stroked his chin whiskers for a moment or
two. Then he asked us to think about what that meant to us. He wanted us to
think of how that one word (that immense concept) would impact our
improvising. He wanted us to be creators--not "improvisers", not players,
not any of a thousand possible things. He was so much deeper than I could
ever have imagined! That one moment sparked my curiosity more than I can
express in writing and I have returned in my mind's eye to that day
thousands of times since. The simpleness and gracefulness of that
gesture--of writing that word on the board and asking us to think about it's
consequences--defines for me how profound he was as a teacher. He inspired
everyone around him to become better musicians and better teachers simply by
being who he was, let alone by what he knew or what he was capable of doing.

Later, when I played in MCC's band, he had me play a feature on Frank
Mantooth's "Spring can really hang you up the most". The solo, as played by
Ashley Alexander on a recording that Grant shared with me, was a technical
tour de force. I confessed to Grant that I wasn't really into the doodle
thing. I sheepishly admitted that I didn't really like that kind of playing
as much as I did the spiritual or even guttural playing that came easier to
my ears and my chops. Grant chuckled in agreement and said that I shouldn't
play Ashley's version of it, or even think too much about it, but that I
should instead go for MY version of it--regardless of what anyone else
thinks. He wanted me to make a musical statement that reflected ME and not
to make a musical statement to please someone else (the judges, the faculty,
the trombone world--whoever!). What a tremendous vision to share with a
young and troubled student trying to find his way!!

That series of performances led to the first Yak attack (which some of you
know well from firsthand experience). I freaked out during a performance in
Nogales and got dry mouth to the point that I couldn't even get a sound out
of my horn. I was shaking like a leaf and nothing could calm me down. What a
humiliating moment... Grant wouldn't let up, though. He simply cheered me up
the best he could, he helped me laugh my way through it by agreeing that my
tone sounded like a yak in heat, bleating for it's mate. And he held fast in
his commitment to seeing me do it better next time. Instead of playing it
safe and cutting the tune from the remaining concerts on the tour, he just
kept putting me out there with it and gave me legs when mine failed. His
strength and calm soothed my ragged nerves. We drank fermented lettuce juice
after the concerts and laughed and I survived it and grew from it. I soon
found myself playing the tune without drying up and to this day it's a
feature that I play with the band I'm with now. He turned one of the most
dreadful failures of my life into one of my greatest accomplishments--simply
by not giving up on me when I was ready to crawl away and hide. How can I
ever repay that debt?!!!

It helps me now to recall the time that I called Grant when I heard about
him being sick and we spoke for the first time in a long time. He was ill,
but he was moving ahead with it. He had grave and deadly issues to contend
with but he was kicking its ass in every way he could find! He was curious
to know how I was doing and seemed upbeat and optimistic. Even over the
distance of thousands of miles between us and the numberless days gone by he
found a way to inspire me again. It's truly a gift that he had and I am so
grateful that he shared it with me. To me, his was a gift of life and love
and creativity.

I love turning out the lights on the kids as Steve mentioned and doing other
things that I stole from Grant's "bag of tricks". In those I suppose I am
passing on a little slice of Grant's touch to another generation. Hopefully
that's how he will remain immortal--his gifts are being gifted again and
again by all of us! Grant was so great and it's so unimaginable to see him
pass, but it reminds us that that bus is coming, folks! Let's get out there
and make some music before it runs us down!!

I'd love to hear someone else's stories so I can share in the joy others
experienced in Grant's company. Please email. Please love. Please CREATE.
:-)

I love you Grant!

Bradmo

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I didn't have the advantage of learning about music from Grant at a
school or workshop, like so many of you did. I knew him entirely as an
adult, but his teaching and nurturing certainly went beyond the school
system and touched the likes of me.

He made me welcome almost from the day I came to town and pretty much
insisted I come and play in the Monday night band. That band was the
center of my *real* musical life for about 9 years... and I miss it
intensly to this day. I wish I could now make myself remember some of
the real good stories... maybe later. So many memories, so many crazy
times.... drinking beer and eating wings after with cats like Marsh,
Donato, Darmiento, Goddard, and Miles. Going to BIG BAND jazz gigs!
Imagine that! Hanging out in the parking lot with folk like Render and
Boyd and Wise and Robinson. Dr. George, where are you? Wow. Was I ever
that young?

That's part of what's getting to me about this....intimations of
mortality..... Grant was like 6 months older than me..... my peer in
chronology, and one of my teachers, as well.

I've drifted away since the Chuy's era.... but certainly not in my
heart.

I realize right now I've held out hope that those years of hanging out
with Grant would come back.... that the Monday night band never really
ended for me.... until now.......

Bill Lieske

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Just would like to share with everyone!

I think it's times like this that make me evaluate or re-evaluate my life. It seems that as I get older I lose more and more of the people I love most. But none lately have been as near and dear to my heart as Grant Wolf.

Where do I begin? I learned about integrity, and respect, not only for others but also for myself. That being on time is showing up 5 minutes early. That you stand and smile after your solo no matter how you feel about it. That life can deal what seems like a bad hand, but you push your way through to the other side, and learn your lesson. That you always go as far as you can go and then one-step further. That family and friends are some of the most important things. That there is always time for a beer with friends. And that a good joke goes a long way.

I felt music differently with Grant. I started to see it with my eyes closed. It was visual for me. Not the notes, but the emotion of it. It's something I can't explain but I feel deep inside. He taught me that music was like blood flowing through my body. I will never listen to music in quite the same way. I will miss him, as we all will.

I remember when he started laughing during practice one evening at a flute player because she had such a funny laugh. Well of course that started the vicious cycle and for 20 minutes the band was in stitches. He had to leave the room. I will never forget his laugh. He has been such a blessing, and I am so thankful that he was put in my life. I am lucky that I have been able to pass on to my children the lessons he taught me. My kids are doing and learning more musically going into High School than I ever did going in to College. That is a direct result of my experience with Grant. What a wonderful gift he is. I am certainly the one that gained in our relationship.

I just wanted to share this with everyone, those I know and even those I don't. Here's to you Grant. I love you.

Lori Mock (Robinson)

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Wow. This situation has certainly made me contemplate my own mortality.. and brings to mind something Steve Jobs said: "Life is incredibly short." It's amazing to me that in the last 19 years since I left Mesa, how I've probably thought of Grant almost daily. I'm only sorry I never got around to telling him that...

Looking at the distribution list on Steve's email, I can see the magic that brought us all together around Grant. So many folks I have not thought about in years, yet so many great memories that will always be with me. Many of us would have never known each other if it were not for the fact we all were attracted by Grant's great LIGHT, and the amazing opportunity at Mesa to work with someone we respected for his love of the craft.

I've known a few of you since high-school or before, seen some of you perform in the night band or around town, met a few of you only breifly.. Like moths to the lamp, we were all part of Grant's huge network of friends that seemed so endless; it was really amazing how many people he knew and introduced to me over about five years, `78 to `83.

The first time I ever saw Grant I was 15, and my dad took me to see the night band play. This was pre-Chuys, somewhere in Tempe. The band was so big, in a small room, and it was loud! This was my first experience of being so close up to a large band playing FORTE, and I was no less than awe-struck by Grant directing the band with incredible intensity. I decided that night I was going to be a player and really started to pursue being a musician at that point, knowing I'd study with him as soon as possible.

At NAU summer camp, Grant's band was the one to be in. I remember watching Marc Stocker (who I knew from YoungSounds) play bass through a phase-shifter in the final concert that summer, (how cool!) and hoping I would be in Grant's band the next year at camp. The next year my audition went well and I was excited to finally study with Grant the summer of `78. He had a unique way of saying things, often as a suggestion, using the word "maybe". Sometimes he'd get pissed and ask me to play a phrase I was having problems with. After a couple trys and success, he'd give a big "THANKYOU" with a grouchy look that was enough to inspire a few hours of wood-shedding. But it was amazing how much I ended up emulating his manner of speech later in life. He was a role-model in so many ways.

Grant was just so intense. He taught passion as much as anything else. And humor. Thinking back, he had extremely high expectations of his students and was very good at getting what he wanted from us. One-on-one he was very compassionate and patient with me. I know today, his guidance taught me how to lay my distractions aside and concentrate on priorities and the matter at hand with a level of intensity I'd never known before.

Obviously trying to fill the class, he once convinced me to sign up for woodwind master's class. Here I was, never played a flute or a sax in my life and he's teaching me how. I did alright on the sax, but the flute was a total washout. Whenever I showed him my results, he's just point me to the men's room to go work on my embrasure in the mirror. At the end, I think he gave me a 'C', and I remember thinking it wasn't quite fair; the class was full of accomplished woodwind players! ;-)

Then there was the night piano class. We learned to play the blues on a Fender-Rhodes piano. It was so much fun, I took the class twice and got my mom to sign up the second time too. There was something so liberating about being able to play simple changes, solo, and play a bass line. In that class, he showed me two things; it's not as difficult as it seems, and it should be more fun than hard work.

Grant seemed born to teach. I don't know that I ever met someone so sure of who he was. Once in a college class, talking about his early days teaching little kids to play instruments, someone asked "Did you like teaching kids to play music?" and he said, "Yes, I still do" with a wry grin on his face.

I borrowed his Claire Fischer "Salsa Picante" album that Claire had given him. Amazing for so many reasons, but it really stood out because it was the first time we had ever heard a polyphonic synthesizer used to play jazz (Yamaha organ). It was already out of print or unobtainable at the time; I took it home and made a cassette recording of it. To this day that 20 year old tape is still one of my all-time favorite recordings.

My first year at Mesa, Grant introduced his big band to the Miles Davis selection "So What". It had a really tasty bass lead-line, great fun to play. It obviously epitomized the essence of jazz to him. Dynamics, intensity, sparseness. "Less is More" was his constant reminder. Grant was not obsessed with getting us extremely technically proficient and often tried to push us toward our own understanding of a tune; what it meant to us inside, the colors that we saw when we listened to the song, the phrasing and the vocal aspects of it. "If you can sing it, you can play it" was another great adage he often shared.

And he spent a lot of time showing us the soul of music; be it improvisation or the head of a song. He likened a searing guitar or sax line to an wailing farm-hand of the old South, crying for his woman to come back home. Grant distilled improvised music down to some simple lessons. Just a few concepts gave me so much musical power. He was very adamant that you had to have "something to say".

Finally, I'd just like to say that knowing Grant was a blessing; something I probably have not appreciated quite so much until this moment. He influenced several generations of young players, promoted jazz education as an American art-form and helped put AZ on the map as a serious musical force to be reckoned with. MCC was and still is a magical place to learn, it's doors wide open and accessible to all, and Grant was just such a big part of that.

Sorely missed, never forgotten, to know him was an experience that can only be described as spiritual... now a father myself, I know that his work, his life, his spirit will live on not only in me, but in my own children.

Thanks for everything Grant, I love you.

Jeff Papineau

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It's been very moving reading all of these comments. Studying under Grant and Don Bothwell was the best thing that ever happened to me, musically speaking. I learned a tremendous amount from them. Grant was, of course, known for his temper. I remember one time when he threw his shoe at somebody during a rehearsal when that person seemed to be goofing off. Of course, that penetrating stare of his will always be etched in my memory. I think that his obvious committment to music and to us students inspired all of us. I'll miss him.
Keith Miles

-------COMMENTS:
Wow, Keith Miles, I jammed with you a bit 20 years ago or more. Yes, being in Grant's band could be a full spectrum experience. Grant could at times be very intense and very intimidating (as could his father) but he was fair. If you made a sincere effort, you were OK, but if you were late or acted like a jerk-off, he'd come down on you.
I was in the band for the famous "You Ain't Shit, Baby" yelling session. A couple band members had rolled into rehearsal late and worse, hadn't xeroxed the needed music as they had been instructed to do. We had cats with some major egos in the band, and Grant rightly told us we didn't have any idea what was going on outside of Phx. (where similar age cats were playing circles around us) so we better get over ourselves and take this shit seriously. Grant yelled and reamed us for about 10 minutes (which seemed like 3 hours). He stared us all down and must have yelled, "You Ain't Shit, Baby" at least 20 times. He was not a man to mess around with! Of course after that episode, the whole band was meticulously behaved for quite some time!
Another amusing incident also comes to mind: A fellow sax section mate was once really scuffling on the clarinet. Grant asked him what brand of mouthpiece was he using. The kid didn't even know. Grant takes the kid's clarinet, looks at the mouthpiece, and then rips it off the horn and without a word, strides towards the door out of the room. Near the door, Grant chucked the kid's mouthpiece in the trash can and continued out the door. After about a minute, in which we were all speechless, Grant reappeared and handed the kid a professional grade mouthpiece out of Grant's own collection (his famous drawer full of mouthpieces) and says, "Here, use this one." On we went with the rehearsal...
Posted by: Steve Marsh on August 22, 2002 12:34 PM

Ah, yes, the classic Y.A.S.B. butt-reaming, the stuff of which legends are born and attitudes are re-aligned. I don't think I slept, spoke or ate for about three days after that one...
Posted by: James Kass on August 22, 2002 10:02 PM

Yeah, I was there for that reaming and it definetely had an impact on me and as I've traveled thoughuot the world Playing music I can assure you that he was right. I'm glad I had Grant to take me down a peg and save me the humiliation of having it happen somewhere out on the road later in life. It was hard to take at the time,but years later I'm glad he cared enough about us to do it.It takes a lot of guts to care enough about your students to put yourself through that and I know it hurt Grant to have to do it, but in the end it made all of us stronger and in my mind, that's no small accomplishment.
Posted by: Jim Henry on August 23, 2002 11:31 PM

TOUGH LOVE, BABY !
Posted by: JazzBrat on August 24, 2002 07:05 AM

I remember the shoe incident. We were rehearsing a passage in circle formation with Grant in the middle. It was only about 12 bars that we were trying to fix but at the end of it was a sax solo break. We were not going on but the sax player kept on playing every time insisting on making us listen to his solo break. Finally Grant had enough and hopped around on one foot while removing his shoe from the other, and threw it at the tenor player. This happened 1977 in the fall.
Posted by: David Findley on August 24, 2002 10:46 AM

Oh yeah! Remember it well! I think all of us could've crawled under the tile floor at that point! A fond memory.... Thank God for those wise words! Boy was he ever right! We had no idea at that point what was going on....
Posted by: Ray Herndon on August 27, 2002 10:17 PM

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A few thoughts/rememberances about Grant...

When I wrote my first arrangement, for big band, I was at MCC. It was an
arrangement of 'Blue and Green'. I wasn't too thrilled with what I had
written, but Grant took the time to look over the score, and write some
wonderful comments on it, such as "What feeling do you want to express, what
color, what shape? etc... He was so encouraging, as he went over the score
with me. And even though I focused more on playing the trombone in the years
to come, I never gave up on writing music and for the past 12 years have
really explored a lot as a composer and I still have that 'Blue and Green'
score, which I take out from time to time to read Grant's words for
inspiration. Thank you Grant!

Well, this past July I sent Grant an email about an upcoming premiere of my
latest composition called "BAM!" (pronounced with a deeply southern Texas
accent). He sent me this funny note saying, "bam da bam, bom, get yo botty
on down the line and send me a tape" That was Grant, ever encouraging and
interested in what his students were doing. I sent him the tape in early
August along with a note about how much fun I had had conducting my own
music, especially considering that when I took the conducting class from
him, at MCC, I was a nervous wreck. My comfort zone has always been the other
side of the stand, playing trombone. Thought Grant might get a chuckle out of
that and be pleased to know that I did actually learn something about
conducting in that class. HA! Thank you Grant!

From Grant, I learned that it is always about the music, about creating
honestly and communicating what we are 'hearing' as best as we can each day.
I remember when the MCC band played at the NAU Jazz fest concert, must have
been 1981? We were performing a piece that was dedicated to Bud Brisbois
(spelling?). At the end of the piece we were to hold the last notes to air
and just blow air through our horns. Grant held us on that note/air for
awhile, extending it to infinity... It was so silent in the concert hall, you
could have heard a pin drop. The silence seemed to last on and on and it was
the most amazing feeling on that stage, in that concert hall, as if God had
touched all of us. Then the entire audience stood up and went crazy. Later,
after the gig, I remember going up to Grant and saying to him that it had
been the most amazing experience I had ever had as a musician. He just
smiled, his usual wise all-knowing smile and said, "Yeah". I have been
blessed in my life as a musician/composer with similar 'moments' along the
way, and I guess I have been searching for that "feeling" ever since that
concert. It is a rare and beautiful feeling and I first learned about it from
playing in Grant's band. Thank you Grant!

This past Sunday, August 18th, thoughts of Grant came into my head, I thought
about calling him and seeing how he was doing, but being in the middle of
moving to a new place and packing, I didn't call that day. Then Lewis Nash
sent me an email the next day and asked about Grant (neither of us knew that
Grant had died). Funny, how we were all thinking of him...

A final thought...
I have been working on a new composition, sketching ideas, thinking about
what it is I want to say, color, shape, etc... I had been thinking a lot
about gratitude with this new piece, especially people that I was thankful
for and that the piece would reflect the continuing influence that these
people have had on my life. I started working on this piece before I had
heard about Grant's death, and still wasn't completely clear about the
intent/focus of this piece; now I am. While I was walking down the street
yesterday, it occurred to me that this piece is about Grant.
Thank you Grant, for everything!

With immense love and gratitude,

Deborah Weisz
MCC 1980 - 82
Deborah@deborahweisz.com

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God Bless you Grant for being the saving graciousness of moments in my life that lifted my spirit, gave me confidence, made me feel good about music, myself and others. Moments of silence, trust, encouragement, humbleness, wisdom and quiet truth. God Bless you Grant and thank you for being you!

In Love,

David Friesen


Dear Dad,

Very sad to hear about Grant Wolf -

even to this day I remember his kind
free face of music and passion
listening
always searching for the other note

he was a fluid note touching
the lives of those who
heard light saving sounds

and I miss him even now
remembering the gift of
his
consideration

(I was only a teenager)
Scott Friesen

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Reading some of these feeling brings back my own personal stories of Grant, but I will not tell all to give other a chance. All my experience with Grant were great. Grant had a way of motivating people to always do their best in what ever they chose. One funny moment that I always remember is the summer I took clarinet lessons from Grant. Grant was trying to get me to have the correct embrochure. Well Grant had an idea!!
Grant took his belt of and proceeded to wrap it around my lower chin so I would have that firm tight embrochure to play Clarinet. Well as he proceeded to tighten his belt around my chin one of the piano teachers walks in and stood there it seems like for 10 minutes and wonder what the hell Grant was up to. Well needless to say my clarinet lesson was over because Grant and I could not stop laughing.
That one of my best time with Grant!!

Grant I will miss you

Love you man!!!!

Rick (Ricky) Samaniego

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I'm very sorry not to be able to be there this Saturday in memory of Grant.

Grant has been a role model for me as an educator and leader/ organizer/ administrator since I started teaching. I met him about 30 years ago, when I was 16 and going to high school in north Phoenix. His MCC jazz band's concerts were important events, and my parents drove me across town for them. The results he got at a junior college, with only two years to work with people, and competing with ASU for players, were just amazing, and his choices were creative and daring in a time when that was very rare. (It still is!) The summer jazz workshops at MCC that he founded and organized (I was there in 1973 and '74) were a big part of what got me into jazz. He brought in major artists like Art Pepper and Joe Pass, interesting musicians like Roger Powell (with his refrigerator-sized ARP synthesizers) and Ox (aka Seawind), and some of the best LA players to teach us -- Lanny Morgan, Buddy Childers, etc. The way he treated students with respect as human beings and potential artists, and took us seriously, helped me feel that music was important and that I could make my own contribution to it. I felt this from him even when I was a 17-year-old beginner at the 1973 summer workshop -- he paid attention to everyone, but without ever coddling or giving false compliments. This was a great lesson I've tried to use as a teacher. I felt he pushed all of us kids and expected a lot, which I now know takes a lot of energy, commitment and love -- I felt that then, but I realize it even more now. The Night Band was obviously a labor of love, and a great insitution in Phoenix jazz for years. Also, I dug his baritone and soprano playing -- I always wanted to hear him play more. I remember one soprano solo that was amazing, really creative and unexpected. And he had a great sense of humor and was a great guy to hang out with -- reconnecting with him at IAJE conferences in the last few years was a pleasure. I'll miss him. He seems like an essential part of the Phoenix area and of music in Arizona. I hope someone can carry on his legacy in music and music education there. I know he inspired many people to do so, like he inspired me.

Allan Chase (AllanCh@aol.com)
New England Conservatory, Boston

COMMENTS
MUSICIANSHIP...
As Allan says, Grant was a very good horn player on top of everything else he did. Grant was an excellent Clarinetist with a very beautiful sound. He improvised tasty, thoughtful, hip jazz phrases on his old silver Soprano Sax. (Conn?) Grant was extremely solid on Bari Sax, could handle Bassoon parts on the many shows he played, and also played flute and bass clarinet. I once saw a rare duo gig with Bob Ravenscroft in a club where Grant played soprano exclusively. A really cool performance! Like Allan, I wished he had played jazz out in public more. Grant even developed a personal, basic style on piano. One year at NAU camp, Grant was pressed into service on piano backing up Barry Black in a quartet concert. Grant was a bit embarrased about doing that, but he played interestingly in a quirky, Monkish fashion.
And of course Grant was such a great conductor! (like his father.) On first reading, he could conduct an ensemble through a complex score, be it a large symphonic band or a jazz big band. He really was a master of effectively rehearsing an ensemble and ironing out the difficult perfomance problems in short order. We got spoiled working under Grant's baton, and later wondered why other conductors we ran into weren't nearly as good.
- S. Marsh

I too can remember coming across Grant practicing his soprano sax during one of what must have been very few moments to himself in the course of his busy teaching schedule. I remember being blown away by his unique and personal approach to the ax and asking him why he didn't play it more. "It's hard to find the time" was his reply and in Grant's case I knew this to be the truth and not just an excuse not to practice as we've all heard too many times before.
It took me many years to realize what a great act of selflessness this was on Grant's part. To be so committed to the advancement of his students that he was willing to put his personal needs as a player on the back burner.
The interesting thing is, that in spite of having little personal time to practice, Grant was still an accomplished creative player.
I will always be grateful that he was willing to take the time with me and many, many others to help us move forward on our musical journeys. I'll never forget that.
Posted by: Jim Henry on August 23, 2002 02:00 PM

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Thanks to Jeff for setting up this page. Even though I’m a few months older than Grant I’m among the hundreds of individuals he profoundly influenced for the better in his short life. I won’t detail everything I learned about music in my 15 or so years with Grant in the Valley Big Band, but the opportunities he gave me to express myself through playing and writing for the band are priceless.

However, equally important to me is that Grant was the nucleus of an entity -- the Valley Big Band -- that connected me with scores of wonderful musicians and many long-time friends. The list would be many times longer than this note, but every time I see one of you I’m always reminded of Grant and those years with the Band. Somehow, I think Grant is still conducting us all in his own unique ensemble.

Frank Darmiento
aceftd@aol.com

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My brother, Allan Chase, sent me the news about Grant, and reading the tributes here has brought tears to my eyes and reconnected me with people and memories long left behind.

I was not part of the Phoenix/Mesa jazz scene, but as a high school woodwind player Grant Wolf was an important part of my musical life, and a presence I will never forget. At NAU Music Camp in the mid-70s, finding out Grant was going to head my woodwind sectional or teach a classroom session meant it was going to be a very good summer indeed. Just being in Grant's amazing presence focused my attention and encouraged me to be a better musician.

I stopped playing flute after my first year of college, but because of the influence of people like Grant, I never sold my instrument or gave up the idea of taking up playing again. Now, nearly 25 years later, I *am* playing again, in a community band in Chapel Hill, NC, and loving the experience. I honor Grant's insights and abilities as a teacher, a motivator, and an incredible human being.

Peace,

Patty (Chase) Van Norman
Chapel Hill, NC
pattyvan@nc.rr.com

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I first met Grant back when I was in grade school. He was adjudicating the local school jazz festivals. Among the many things I remember about him even back then was what a gentleman he was. In my post-college days, I had the privilege of playing in the Mesa night band. Having Grant at the helm was always a fulfilling musical experience!

Of the many music educators in my life in elementary and high school, he stands out as one of the few that truly connected with the kids. He always made time for anyone, whether it was about music or personal. And while he was absorbing what you had to say, he looked you straight in the eye as though he was looking deeper into the person that was below the surface. There were some times in my life that I am glad that this was his mode of operation.

I will miss Grant very much! I loved his sense of humor and his genuine interest in other human beings. If I have any regrets, it is that I didn't get to spend as much time with him that last few years. On the other hand, that makes the time we did spend together extra special, and ones that I will remember always!

God bless you Grant!

Dennis Monce

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1975, 7th grade, NAU Music Camp, first rehearsal with the Jazz Ensemble, in walks Grant. After ten minutes of instruction on playing a Blues, (mostly singing), he looks down at this group of little kids, and says, (with that Grant "thang"), "now, play". Of course, you didn't dare not play...all I could do was fasten my seat belt...what a trip...so many beautiful, funny, intense, and warm moments in rehearsals with him, each summer through high school.

As I start another year of teaching, (intermediate school band director), I again reflect on Grant's passion for music and teaching - it's burned into my soul...

Greg Boyer

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My first memory of Grant goes back to 1974-75, when I was in eighth grade and just starting to dream about being a professional musician. I was walking across campus one day and heard this real low voice say, "Hi Jimmy!" from across the basketball court. He had stopped by to talk to my band director, and to this day I don't know how he knew who I was back then, but that was a pretty neat experience for a little kid, knowing that a cool grownup with a ponytail had made the effort to learn my name and say "Hi" to me. Grant always made me feel like he was really interested in what I had to say, both conversationally and musically. He knew how to listen better than most people I've met in life. The other thing is that he always treated me like I was more mature and musical than I was, always lifting me a just little higher to that next level. I couldn't have been more than a dopey little freshman in high school when Grant encouraged me to be a part of his summer jazz workshop at MCC, hanging out with talented people like SuperSax, Don Rader, and Ladd McIntosh. Half the time I didn't feel like I had any right to be there, but I sure appreciated the fact that Grant did!

Once, while being interviewed, Grant was asked what he felt was the most important part of teaching music. He said, "I think giving the students something to take with them. Teaching them how to think differently. Teaching them to really enjoy what they do - to find joy in music. Many of them have not had that type of experience. How to be a professional is also important, so they can see what it takes." As one of his former students, I think that pretty much describes my experience. The one thing I might add was that he also expected us to be sincere about whatever it was that we were attempting to do. He made sure we knew that without sincerity, one can never successfully create great music; with it, one might fail in achieving greatness but still have joy and learn something from the process that develops more musicianship for the next time.

Others have remarked about their "lights out" musical experiences with Grant. I remember the one from NAU music camp where Grant was encouraging us to play free—what a trip! I remember feeling "Is it really O.K. for us to be doing this? Will the other grown-ups approve?" That was a real eye-opener; what seemed to a young music student to be a fairly finite body of jazz expression suddenly became an infinite universe of possibility. For the first time, it occurred to me that I could create something valid apart from everything else I had been taught. From that day forward, I never felt that I could run out of music to play.

Grant used to have a sign at the front of the room that said, "88% of life is just showing up." That seemed pretty funny to me in college; it wasn't until I lived in the real world that I discovered how astute that observation really was. The other 12% is what really made all the difference: the secret stuff, the insights from his relationships with the heavies, the tips for real-life music, the “here’s how to discover it within yourself” revelations. Not showing up for one of Grant’s classes or rehearsals could mean the difference between incorporating something significant and subtle into your playing now or having to learn it the hard way over time.

On one of those nights that was terrifying then but funny now, I was playing with the Night Band at the old Chuy’s Choo Choo on Mill Avenue when Grant turned to me and asked me if I wanted to solo on the tune he had called (at one point, the band used to set up in the middle of the club in kind of a "U" formation, with Grant standing right in front of me). Typical of a seventeen-year-old, I was in a funky mood that night, and I don’t know if I thought the tune was the wrong key/groove/style, or was intimidated ‘cause Fred Forney just played a blistering solo on the tune before, or I had too many zits and no girlfriend, or whatever other lame excuse I had, but for some suicidal reason I told Grant that I didn’t want to solo on that tune, like I was Freddie Freakin’ Hubbard and doing the Night Band this giant favor just by sitting there. Immediately I felt this warm sensation on my skull, quickly intensifying into two laser beams of blistering heat, so I looked up and encountered The Gaze of Death. Grant kicked off the tune, ignored me for the rest of the night, and didn’t give me another solo for three weeks. Needless to say, I learned to be grateful for any opportunity to play great music in front of an appreciative audience, because sometimes you gotta be willing to get over yourself and take a little risk if you want to experience any of the really good stuff in life.

It's interesting and not altogether surprising how many people have stated that their first interactions with Grant were pivotal points in their lives, musically or otherwise. He truly gave me a deeper understanding of the total art of music more than anyone else ever has, including some of the great jazz artists of our day with whom I've been fortunate enough to play or just hang out. His encouragement and the respect he afforded others was invaluable to me, and I consider it a true blessing of God that Grant made it a point to become my lifelong friend and teacher on that elementary school basketball court back in 1975.

James Kass
Trumpeter, Friend and Grateful Alum
www.jameskass.com

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Jeff, thanks a bunch for putting together Grant's web site. What a great tribute to Grant as well as for those folks that were touched by Grant in so many ways.

I regret that I will not be able to attend Grants Memorial Service this Saturday, August 24, 2002. However, I will be attending and participating in memorial concerts that will be organized as fund raisers in the near future for Emily and Parker.

It would take pages and pages to share my experiences with Grant. So, I will share a few highlights.

As a first year music student at Mesa Community College in 1978, I auditioned for one of Grants jazz bands. To say the least, I was a nervous wreck! For some reason, I got a seat! I guess Grant had confidence in me that I lacked so very much in myself to make it in his band.

As a second and third year student, Grant was so kind to allow me to play in his jazz band as well as play on the M.C.C.s Women's basketball team. Not too many band directors would even consider the matter. With Grants support, I was able to get the most out of M.C.C. no matter what direction I decided to go.

By the way, thanks to all of my buddies in the jazz band(s) for your patience during those two years.

On a more serious and sad note, Grants illness was very serious. I can't imagine what he went through. As we all know, Grant did everything he believed in his power to beat it. Unlike Grant, I was very fortunate to have survived my illness (i.e. Hodgkins disease). I will never forget Grant visiting me in the hospital shortly after my diagnosis. His gift of life and love certainly gave me the inspiration to "live"! Thank you Grant! You will always be in my prayers.

For the love of Grant,

Kelly Dean
MCC 1978-81
Kjd82@a0l.com

Posted by guest at 04:56 PM | Comments (0)

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Like so many others, Grant Wolf influenced my life in
a positive way. It was 1975; I was a seventh-grader
and a classical piano student at NAU Junior Music
Camp. Back then, there weren't separate camps, so all
classical, jazz, and vocal students attended the same
two-week session. One afternoon, my friends and I had
an hour break before our next class. As we walked past
Ardrey Auditorium, we heard the most wonderful sounds
and we snuck inside to find out what they were. On
stage, Grant was conducting a jazz ensemble in
rehearsal. We thought, "Cool!" and we went to sit in
the middle of the auditorium so we wouldn't disturb
anyone. We ended up staying the whole hour. I remember
his infinite patience with - and encouragement of -
each player; he brought out the best in every one of
them. After that, I checked the schedule and whenever
Grant was rehearsing the band, I'd go and listen and
learn and enjoy. Subsequent years at Music Camp were
spent the same way. Grant unknowingly gave me such a
wonderful gift and I daresay other listeners felt the
same. I am not religious but to me, he made the
experience of playing and listening to music a
profoundly spiritual one.

Sheri (Shembab) Baker
sbharmony@yahoo.com

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A lot of people have very graciously posted many colorful anecdotes about Grant in the past couple of days since Jeff created this site. I have read them all with great interest coming back to the site several times a day to read the new posts. The more I read the more I began to realize that there was nothing that I could ever say that would even begin to express the way I feel about the myriad gifts that I had recieved in my life because of my friendship with Grant.
When I first met Grant I was a shy 12 year old kid who had just graduated from the 8th grade.(those of you who know me will have a hard time believing that I was ever shy-but I was) Anyway, I had auditioned and made it into Grant's jazz band at NAU music camp. Little did I know my life was about to change forever. He did nothing but encourage me from the start as he would continue to do over the next several years through high school until the time I left MCC for my first road gig almost ten years later. In fact he even recomended me for the gig-which I'm sure had a great deal to do with the fact that I got it.
I have been very fortunate in music to have the opportunity to meet and perform with many great musicians. The things I learned from Grant helped to prepare me to do that and, more importantly, helped me to better understand life and myself for that matter,the only way I know to repay him is to play my horn and try to pass along what he taught me to my students.
In closing I would like to say that I really do believe that all that Grant was to all of us lives on in us so we can pass it on to others. Like he did with us.

"Next to silence,that which comes closest to expressing the inexpressable is Music"
S. Chinmoy

Grant, with me you came the closest. Thank you man.I'll never forget your kindness and understanding as long as I live.

Godspeed,
Jimmy

bigjimsjazz@qwest.net

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I didn't know, or experience Grant the same way many of you did, but I spent a great deal of time in his company: in the band room, at Chuy's, and across the street at whatever the name of that place was that Vince liked. I saw the kind of man, and teacher that he was. My brother, who I have endless respect for, had such respect for him and, because of that, I looked at him in much the same way as Chris did. Grant was always very kind to me, what a smile, and I always enjoyed night band! Letting me and "Casey" follow the band bus to Chaffey was quite a trip! Besides being "Chris' little sister", I had many dear friends who were influenced by Grant and I feel the impact of his loss as well. Making a toast to him in Nashville, with a few of those friends, I realized how truly lucky we all would be to be loved and remembered as he is. Perhaps because of his influence, many of you will be. Thanks, Grant, from a grateful Fan!

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I was a kid who was searching for direction when I first met Grant.
He gave me a place at his Thanksgiving table, and made sure I ate.
He was one of the most magical men I have ever known in my life.
He introduced me to a world where I could accomplish anything through dedication to the task.
He convinced me that I could.
He lives on through those of us who were lucky enough to know him.
I will miss him greatly

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Disbelief
Denial
Contemplation
Acknowledgment
Resolution...

Your silent knowingness
cast an aura of omniscience

Your caring and nurturing ways
touched countless lives

Your acts of kindness
reflected your generosity

Your integrity
was beyond reproach

Your sense of humor
made you real

Your life
is your legacy

Your spirit
will live in each of us

I'll miss you, Oh Sage,
more than you--or I--ever could have imagined

-Bob Washut

--------- COMMENTS:
Hi Bob,
Thanks for your beautiful words. I’ll never forget the great times we had with Grant in San Diego in '89, then later in New York City back in the winter of '90-'91. That night you, Fred, Dick, Grant and I hit all the clubs. We started at the Blue Note to hear Kenny Wheeler with Abercrombie, Peacock, and Erskine; then on to the 55 Bar to hear some local hacks; continuing on to Bradley's, then the Village Vanguard . . . finally staggering back to the Blue Note for the all night jam about 3 AM. Do you remember how hard we laughed when Weller fell out of his chair? In the 12 years I have lived in NYC, it was the greatest night of my life. I have never had more fun. And, I’ll never miss anyone more than Grant. Take care, Bob.
Posted by: Chris Campbell on August 30, 2002 03:19 PM

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It's such a shame to realize that Grant is no longer here with us, however I think all of us who knew him and had the opportunity to learn from him realize that his spirit and soul touched us in so many ways. I don't think a day goes by that I don't use one of his sayings or anecdotes in teaching my students and in defining my own playing. He shaped me not only as a musician but as a human being. Our lessons went beyond the scope of music, it was philosophy on life, love, integrity, honesty, learning to trust in yourself, what our place and purpose in this world is and most importantly growing up. His sense of humor and wisdom helped me get through many a difficult period.

To this day I've never met anyone like him. His ability to inspire so many emotions from respect and admiration to feeling chastised for not having a part down and thinking "I'll show him," only to realize later on that that was his sole intention all along. His lessons have had such a tremendous effect on so many people throughout the years that I know his legacy will live on for years if not generations to come. I truly feel that he was the most influential person in my life. I wish that I could make it to his memorial service but instead I'll be at my oldest son's first jazz combo concert (is it fair to unleash another drummer onto the world?). Somehow I think Grant will understand.
I will truly miss him.
David Crozier

-------- Comments: Wonderful observations, David.
Hey, some of us also remember how you later repeatedly rammed your burned out hulk of a car using the school's electric cart as a battering ram. HaHaHa!
- Steve M. Posted by: Steve Marsh on August 24, 2002 06:33 AM

I remember that car! HA.
I remember Grant's reaction too. Didn't your car sit out in the MCC parking lot for awhile after that?
Great memories!
Deb
Posted by: Deborah Weisz on August 24, 2002 07:52 AM

Dave,
That's got to be just about the funniest story I ever heard in my life! Good for both a laugh and a good cry.
Jeff
Posted by: Jeff Papineau on August 24, 2002 11:23 AM

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August 24, 2002
"Late Night at the L.Q." - by Ladd McIntosh

Grant Wolf was the most selfless man I have ever known.

I never heard a person say an unkind thing about Grant. Every fellow professional who knew Grant spoke of him highly and with great affection. It’s a formidable list that includes Lanny Morgan, the late Joe Pass, Don Rader, Claire Fischer, Gary Foster, Bruce Fowler, the late Dick Grove, Buddy Childers, Jon Crosse, Jeff Haskell, Brian Bromberg, Carol Kaye, and others. He was well-loved and admired by the jazz education community as well.

Tall….lanky….deep voice….those big, gentle eyes, always alive with humor. I loved hanging out with Grant.

I was fortunate to share a few car rides with him, just the two of us driving from Phoenix to Tucson, or from Flagstaff up to the rim of the Grand Canyon, or from Flag to Phoenix. It was comfortable…like old shoes…and we talked of life, love, family, women, friends, or a shared excitement at something musical one of us had recently experienced; nothing profound…just total acceptance at being with a kindred spirit.

I met Grant sometime around 1971 shortly after I started teaching in Utah. He started his series of summer jazz camps at MCC (and later at NAU) in 1972 and hired me as one of the guest faculty. For reasons known only to Grant, I was the one guy he hired for every single one of those camps between 1972 and the late 1980s. I am deeply honored that he kept bringing me back and I can truthfully say that observing Grant at those camps--watching his interaction with his students--gave me ideas to employ in my own teaching. Rubbing elbows with him made me a better teacher. Spending time with him always made me want to be a better man.

I always looked forward to those summer jazz camps.

When I had the pleasure of adjudicating one of his bands, or just listening to them, I was always struck by the intensity with which he conducted as well as the way the students reacted to him. It was clear they all adored him and would have followed him anywhere. His gift was that his students knew, without question, that he cared about each and every one of them. It is no secret that many students found reasons to extend their stay at MCC for more than just two years. The unspoken reason was, of course, Grant.

The “lights out” stories reminded me of one. At one of the MCC summer camps, I found myself with Grant in the men’s room. I excused myself to use one of the two stalls. Almost immediately someone sat down in the other one. Grant then walked out, turning off the light as he left, leaving us both literally in the dark. Let me tell you, you can ignore someone in the next stall when the lights are on. You can’t ignore them when you are both sitting in utter darkness. That was my first meeting with Vince. I still think of it and laugh. It was one of the best practical jokes ever!

I have wonderful memories of hanging out with Grant at the “L.Q.” in Flag; friendship and jokes and Budweiser…lots and lots of smiles and laughter. Funky place and yet so perfect.

The wonderful faculty barbecues of Grant’s at the end of each jazz camp started at Grant’s home in Phoenix and were continued at Mom and Dad’s when the camp moved to NAU. Great food which included Grant’s wonderful marinaded barbecued shrimp and more laughter and just feelin’ good!

And Grant never asked you if you wanted another beer. He simply handed you a cold one.

I am greatly saddened by his death. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Mom and Dad, Grant’s children and grandchildren and to his wife, and to his former wife Joanne.

My live is richer for having been his friend.

Ladd McIntosh

----------- Comments
Thank you for contributing here, Ladd. You knew him well. And thank you for writing your two "Suite Mesa" pieces that we got to perform with Grant back in the day. Those were very special compositions - for a unique school and an incredible teacher. Posted by: steve marsh on August 24, 2002 07:20 AM

Hey Ladd,
I read a few words, and thought, 'this must be from Ladd'. Thank you, as well, for the music that you contributed to the MCC band. I remember Suite Mesa. I also remember that there was a 'singing' part and when we went to record it, it became pretty clear I should stick to trombone playing! HA! (Smile) Grant used to look at me and laugh/smile whenever we performed Suite Mesa after that recording session! I still laugh about it today.
Thank you again for your wonderful music.
Love,
Deb
Posted by: Deborah Weisz on August 24, 2002 07:48 AM

Ladd,
Like Steve and Deborah, I want to thank you for the compositions you wrote for the band.Through your music,you expressed many of the people and experiences that were part of M.C.C.. One of my favorites is "Transparencies". Grant had a way of bringing out the best in everyone and I feel privileged to have played and worked under your direction. Thank you for the many hours that you spent writing and sharing your musical experiences with us. I know Grant thought very highly of you. I hope you are doing well and realize that you made a strong impression on many of us at M.C.C..
Take care,
Denny Marcum

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Wow, where to begin…

When I was in junior high, I started going to the MCC jazz ensemble concerts. Even at that age, I could hear that Grant’s bands were something different from the other nearby universities' ensembles that played mostly off-the-shelf charts. MCC was where the real jazz action was. You never new what to expect at a concert: an expanded ensemble with strings; electronic effects; funny-metered tunes. Experimentation and openness were expected from Grant’s bands but you were never sure exactly what form they would take. I was a little kid who was totally dedicated to music and I was in slack-jawed awe of those bands. Music was my religion and I worshiped the various incarnations of the MCC Jazz Ensemble with the Prophet Grant Wolf leading his flock. When I finally actually became a member of Grant’s band, it was a long-time dream-come-true.

It was obvious that the amazing things those bands could do were because Grant Wolf was at the helm. Other directors could have done fine, competent jobs with the jazz ensembles, but I dare say MCC would have been just another junior college without Grant. He was the reason that the best jazz players knew there was no other place for them but MCC.

Those of us who were lucky enough to go to MCC know what an incredible blessing it was to be taught by the musical tag-team: Grant Wolf and Don Bothwell. It was as if we were fledgling Jedi Knights being trained by TWO Yodas at once.

Then there were the Summer Jazz Workshops that I attended. How DID Grant get all those world-class players to come year after year to our humble little college and teach us kids? The answer is that they, as all musicians, were starved for an environment where quality and creativity could flourish and they knew that’s what Grant had created at MCC. When Bud Brisbois moved to Phoenix, he checked-out the local music programs and saw that Grant’s place was where it was really happening and Bud spent a lot of time with us. It was because of Grant that some of us got to play with and learn from Bud in the last years of his life and we will never forget that.

When I finally got to MCC as a student, there was an unusually large crop of drum-set players there: Dick Weller, Bob Warren, Joe Little, Kelly Dean, Dan Tomlinson, David Bohn, Jim Carnelli…When Grant started auditioning us with the band, I could see that he was focusing on the typical weaknesses of young drummers. We didn’t get to play up-tempo tunes that would allow us to unleash our latest simulated Steve Gadd or Billy Cobham licks, NO. Grant had us play ballads with brushes; tricky sight-reading and for the grand finale he pulled-out the Buddy Rich Band, Don Piestrup arrangement “New Blues” and counted it off at a ridiculously, comically, glacially slow tempo. Now I had played along with the recording of this tune probably a hundred times, studiously imitating Buddy’s breaks and fills. But at this tempo, I just stepped all over it. I couldn’t even function. It was pathetically funny. That was the beginning of my MCC sojourn and I was made painfully aware that this Grant Wolf fella knew what was up and I was in for some heavy learning experiences.

There were also great times playing with the Monday Night Band – another phenomenon that existed solely because of the passion of Grant Wolf. Grant was always eager to help us after-hours with whatever musical or life challenge we had. I really believe that he was born to teach; born to motivate; born to inspire and born to create.

Grant left us much too early. Maybe it’s true that “the light that shines twice as bright burns half as long.” Well, I’d better go now. I’m sure tears aren’t good for my keyboard.

We all love you Grant, and we will never forget you. We can only repay you by passing on what you have taught us to our students…and so it goes.

Chris Armstrong
MCC 77-79
carmstrong@mindspring.com

---------- Comments:
Right On, Chris! Great momories and observations, man. I loved the story about the drummer try-outs. Grant was great at pulling out the unexpected, like not letting cats showboat with their latest hi-tech drummer licks, and rather make you all play something really slow. Charles Lewis used to also put new drummers through the v-e-r-y s-l-o-w ballad treatment to see if they could hold a groove at a glacial tempo.
Like you said, M.C.C. had "The Twin Towers" in Grant and Don Bothwell, plus the other teachers there, some of whom have also put in decades of work. Don Bothwell's contributions were also HUGE and immense. I hope Don is healthy and doing well now.
Posted by: steve marsh on August 30, 2002 01:08 PM

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Dear family, students, fellow musicians, and priviledeged friends of Grant,

As a new teacher in the Roosevelt District School System in 1953, I was fresh
out of ASC @ Tempe and really green. I was very fortunate to have Grant in
my first school band of my teaching experience. He wasn't very tall then. He
had just started clarinet. The Wolf family from the beginning of my career
in music had a huge influence on my years as a director of music in the public
and private schools of Arizona and Hawaii. Don Wolf was the new director of
bands at South High School and I was at Sunland School, just 14 blocks apart.
During marching season I could hear the bass drum beat of the South High
Band as they prepared for the big game of the week. I would take every opportunity
to visit the South High Campus to pick up teaching hints from Don.
It goes without saying that none of us ever know what influence our
students will have with other students in the future with their own careers.
I stayed at Sunland School for two years before moving on to a position in
the Phoenix Elementary Schools. By chance Grant and his parents just
happened to move into the same neighborhood that my new bride and I lived in.
Don asked me to work with Grant privately on clarinet that year and we had
a chance to get reacquinted. Many years passed after this point in time
and Don and his family moved to Flagstaff where Don became the NAU Band
Director. In the late 50's I was asked to join the NAU summer music camp
staff. After a couple of years teaching in the high school camp I had the
opportunity to be involved in the first junior high music camp. Through the
7 years I taught at the NAU music camp I had the opportunity to get acquinted
again with the talents of the Wolf family. Before I knew it, Grant had graduated
from college and was becoming a very successful teacher of music and a giant in innovative
methods in the jazz education field.

Grant became very active in the NAU Summer Music Camp sessions and
my own boys, David and Eric, had the opportunity to be part of Grant's Jazz Ensembles.
When Eric was in the eighth grade he was playing trombone
in Grant's group at the camp and Eric asked Grant if he would have the band
play a number he had written. Of course, Grant, always encouraging, said yes and the number
was run through. Grant was very positive about the number but he said he was mystified at why
Eric hadn't written a score. He told Eric if he would write a full score for the number by the next rehearsal
he would consider putting the number on the program for Jazz Night. He did and they did.
Eric was
fortunate to win the jazz composition award that year and this really had a big influence on
his future music endeavors.

Because of the influence of "master teachers" like Grant,
students are influenced their whole lives by the encouragement and talents of these individuals
who have a magical way of presenting materials that bring results,
including turning out the lights and saying "create"... Recently Eric's Jazz
Orchestra was feataured on an hour BET television broadcast with Ramsey Lewis as host,
an hour long PBS Special with his 32 piece Jazz Orchestra presenting "The Big Band Sound of WWII
and most recently this summer as the feature group at the Glenn Miller International Birthday Jazz Festival in
Clarinda, Iowa. Our son David, who also had the opportunity to play under
Grant, flew up to Clarinda to play tenor in the group. None of us in the field
of music can or could ever imagine the positive and lasting influence a teacher like Grant
has had on his students. All of us who attended the yearly NAU Jazz Festivals would always be in
attendance for the special magic that Grant seemed to pull out of his MCC Jazz Groups, including Jim Henry
playing a bowl of water with a mallet at the mike. What a hoot and what imagination!
Don was always known as the very serious director in the field and how
important it was to be on your toes when playing in his groups. But he too
has a wonderful sense of humor, like the time he had his band at one of the
music camp final concerts stand up and play kazoos. The anticipation of
what these guys would come up with next was one of the pleasures they
gave all of us.

Many of the young jazz hopefuls would drive miles out of their way to attend classes at MCC or would
find a way to extend their stay at a two year institution to be able to take part in the wonderful training
they knew they would get from this quiet resourceful young man of music.

My life, as well as my childrens', has been enriched by having known and worked with Grant during the
last 40+ years. Many of my former students have also been influenced by Grant, with his positive approach to
making music.

Giving his students the chance and faith that they could succeed was one of his
many strong teaching points. It is a truly wonderful that one person could have done so much
for so many in such a short time. WHAT A CHALLENGE FOR THE REST OF US!

Les Felten, Jr.
Music Educator
Arizona & Hawaii
1953-1987

Comments:
Wow, that's a mind-blower. I feel the same way as when I first heard Darth Vader tell Luke Skywalker, "I'm your father." Of course, the analogy breaks down a little because I never saw Darth wear loud ties and you're not even remotely evil (you're welcome), but now that I think about it, the way you waved that baton around _was_ sort of a precursor to the light saber, and when I was auditioning for Cadet Band in sixth grade I was so nervous it sounded like _everyone_ was breathing through a black mask.

That's really something, I never knew about your history with Grant. Of course, it makes perfect sense--greatness begets greatness, and good soil produces good fruit, as they say. I thought I had encountered enough surprises this week, but now I feel the circle is complete, the final letter has been turned on the Wheel, and Inspector Clouseau has "sol-ved the crime." I can only marvel at the uncanny good fortune I had growing up, to have had you, Grant, and Barry Black willing to invest so much time, compassion and music into my life as my band directors. It makes me take an even more somber appraisal of where I am now and the responsibility I have to continue pressing on toward the musical dreams within my heart. To do otherwise would be a great disservice to all the giants upon whose shoulders I have been given the opportunity to stand. Thanks for sharing this, Mr. Felten; I now have a more complete picture of my musical heritage, and a greater appreciation of how we can never truly know all the wonderful, disparate things that work together for our good in life.

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I came to AZ in 1982. I had studied with Chuck Marohnic in South Florida and he
brought me out here. When I got to ASU, it seamed like 90% of the great players
there had come from MCC, so that in itself was a great testament to Grant as an
educator. Grant and I never worked together and I never had studied with him,
but we always seemed to have a special connection. He was always very
complementary about my playing and I always appreciated it coming from Grant.
The first time we met, I kidded him and I told him that he looked looked just
like my late friend Jaco Pastorius, but with gray hair. Grant always got a kick
out of that! :-) I had moved from AZ in 1990 and in 1991 had kidney failure and
spent 8.5 years on dialysis. I do not think I had seen Grant since I moved back
to AZ in 1993, but I saw him last year for the first time in ages at the Lewis
Nash clinic. I walked up to him and his eyes lit up. He grabbed me and gave me a
big hug and was so happy to see how well I looked and was doing. I guess he had
not heard much about my receiving a new kidney in 1998 and was very surprised to
see me looking so well. He had a small tear in his eye as he knew how much I had
been through with all of my illnesses. We talked a while about our war stories
relating our health problems and had a very heart felt conversation. The one
thing that ALWAYS stood out with Grant was that he was one of the truly good
guys. He cared about people and you knew when you were interacting with him, he
really cared about you and what you were doing. There are very few people I can
put in that category, but he was a prince among men. My being an agnostic is
always hard when someone passes as it would be hypocritical for me to say that
Grant and his family are in my prayers, but what I can say is that there will
always be a special place in my heart for Grant. My heart goes out to his family
in this time of grief and hope they can draw from Grant's strength. If there is
an after life and if there is a heaven, there is no doubt that our friend Grant
is there. One of the things that we discussed the last time we spoke was my need
to get out of AZ because of the lack of creative music. He was just so positive
about my eventual move to NY and was so confident that I would do well there.
That was how he was with everything. Rest in peace my friend, you will be missed

Rob Schuh

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"Inspirational Force" - from Denny Marcum

I first got to know Grant when I was twelve years old. My family had moved to Arizona and my brother, Jerry was starting his first year at M.C.C.. Being from a small town in Kansas, he was a little overwhelmed by the campus and a little nervous about starting college, so my dad went with him to get registered. My dad’s main concern with the college was with the music department. He played tenor sax and had gotten all of us kids involved in music. He wanted to make sure the college had a strong program. One of the first people they meet was Grant. He took Jerry under his wing and from that point on, Grant became one of my dad’s favorite people. My dad and Grant seemed to hook up on a level I still don’t quite understand. During Jerry’s time at the college, my family saw the jazz band perform in “The Old Theater Outback” with Pat Williams, Don Ellis, Pete Magadini and Bill Watrous.
A few years later my other brother, Randy and I, would get our chance to study with Grant. I remember being a senior in high school and hearing Grant’s second jazz band perform. At that point, I knew I had to get into his band. The next day, I talked to the high school principal and convinced him to let me take a college class. Now all I had to do was convince Grant to give me an audition. I found Grant in the Theater setting up for a concert. With a trembling voice, I asked if I could audition for his band. He said “Sure I’ll see ya on Friday”. Needless to say, I went home and practiced my ass off. I knew from my brother’s experiences that you didn’t show up unprepared for an audition with Grant. Somehow, I had it in my mind that it would be just me an Grant at the audition. When I showed up on Friday, the whole band was there including the three excellent drummers already in the band: Keith Roberts, Joe Little, and Bob Warren. Grant introduced me and told me to take “The Driver’s Seat”. The song I auditioned on was a minor blues entitled “The Call”. He kicked off the tune and went into what I call “The Grant Listening Mode”. Eyes closed, hands clapping on two and four, face pointed skyward. Out of the corner of my eye, I could tell he was digging my playing. Chills went through my entire body. Here I was, fulfilling a dream, to share music with someone I had admired and respected for five years. I became the fourth drummer in the band and was amazed at the warmth and acceptance the band gave me, especially Joe, Keith and Bob. I think all of us learned, under Grant’s direction, the difference between confidence and ego( I never saw him take kindly to somebody who was full of themselves).
During my times at M.C.C., I played and became friends with many wonderful musicians. I’ll never forget me and Jeff waiting to go on at the Playboy Jazz Festival. I was warming up on a chair and Jeff was giving his bass a good spanking. Who walks in? Jaco and Peter Erskine. I wish I had a picture of the two of us sitting there in shock. Only through Grant were such experiences possible.
Later in life, I went back to school to get my music ed. degree. At one point I was ready to quit. I was tired of putting up with all the bullshit and jumping through “hoops”. Grant convinced me to hang in there and inspired me to finish my degree. In 1999 I graduated and started teaching band at Fremont Jr. High. Last year Grant came out to work with my band. The kids still talk about it. We were preparing for festival a song I had performed with the Evening Wind Ensemble at M.C.C. called Fantasy on an Australian Folk Song. Grant spent an hour in a section with the clarinets. When they came back, I couldn’t believe the difference. I asked one of my students what they worked on? She said” Breathing and air.I can’t believe how loud he can play clarinet”. At that point a famous “Grant Saying” came to mind. It was an expression he often used to get the brass section to play with some gusto. “Blow, Don’t Suck”. Since that night, I have us that expression with my kids many times.We spent a half hour next day discussing it’s meaning.From the obvious meaning, put some air through the horn or you’re going to sound terrible and the not so obvious meaning that one of my students came up with, give all of yourself to what it is you’re doing or life will suck(Jr. High students have a such way with words). The next day we went festival and received a superior rating for our performance. One of the adjudicators commented on what a great clarinet sound we had. It was with pride and thanks that ,I was able to share with Grant the following Thursday night, the band’s experience.
It was through teary eyes that I shared with my band Grant’s passing. He was such an inspirational force to all of us. May we all choose to go through life like Grant and to “Blow, Not Suck.
God Bless You Grant ,
Denny Marcum

-------- COMMENTS: I remember Grant Listening Mode. It's as if he were casting his gaze up above the atmosphere so the images from his eyes wouldn't interfere with the images in his ears.

Posted by: Kid Flash on August 25, 2002 11:57 PM

Beautiful memories, Denny. You kicked us on Tubs with great style in Monday Night Band, MCC Jazz Band, and "The Jazz Boogers" combo for many years. Now you are one who is carrying on The Man's teaching tradition.
One small correction: Matt McKenzie was our bass player when we played the Hollywood Bowl and saw Jaco.
- Marsh
Posted by: steve marsh on August 28, 2002 07:09 PM

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Fifty-six is too young! I'm shocked and saddened by the loss. Yet I
celebrate his friendship, intellect, humor, insight, and the large
network of wonderful people whose lives he touched. For us, sharing our
memories might help begin the healing process.
When I think of Grant, so many thoughts rush to mind: almost thirty
years' worth of memories for which I am grateful. It started in the fall
of 1973 when I saw him direct the MCC jazz band. From that moment, I
couldn't wait to start classes in the spring. I had already taken a few
college courses, but MCC was the beginning of my serious musical
training. Grant was an excellent teacher and a thoughtful advisor,
helpful, patient, forgiving, and I always felt that his door was open.
Mainly a jazz guitarist, I took up the clarinet, studied privately
with Grant, and played in every instrumental-performing group MCC
offered--jazz ensemble, pep band, combo, orchestra, even marching band!
In the fall, I would be out on the marching field before dawn (and I'm
not a morning person) to practice with Grant & Don. Typically, Grant
would teach all day, then come back after dinner to teach a night class
until 10:00 P.M. That shows dedication.
The whole MCC music faculty was wonderful and I was right where I
wanted to be. It was hard work, it was inspiring, and it was a
blast--especially those band tours! We played in Dodger Stadium, Las
Vegas, Disneyland, Sea World, at the Berkeley Jazz Festival, at the
Santa Barbara Invitational Jazz Festival, and all over Arizona and
Southern California. Despite the fun, I was serious about music &
education so I never got on Grant's wrong side. That was a good thing
because he could come down hard on slackers. In fact, he and Don could
make the whole orchestra cry, and they usually did at least once a
semester! I think they just wanted to see us strive for personal
excellence.
During the 1970s Grant was in the forefront of jazz pedagogy. He
brought in outstanding clinicians, started the MCC Summer Jazz Camp, and
later tied it in with the Summer Music Camp at NAU. My own teaching
career started when he invited me to join the camp faculty. I got to
study, perform, and hang with great musicians like Joe Pass, Claire
Fischer, Gary Foster, Ladd McIntosh, Don Menza and Pete Magadini, not to
mention Grant, Don Bothwell, Fred Forney, Jeff Haskell, Bob Ravenscroft,
Brian Bromberg and others. I had the pleasure of teaching at least a
dozen summer camps with Grant over the years, the last was in 1996 when
he began experiencing unusual health problems. Whether faculty or
student, he knew how to draw out the best, and he had the foresight and
generosity to place us in situations conducive to everyone's growth. Bob
Washut aptly named him "The Sage," and as a teacher, they don't come any
better than Grant.
I'm lucky: I've enjoyed hundreds of performing situations with
Grant. Playing guitar with his Monday Nite Band for eight years was a
great opportunity that I looked forward to each week. Once, I was late.
Apologetically taking my seat, Grant said in front of everyone: "I hope
she was worth it." That got a big laugh, but I was never late again. He
was willing to let us make mistakes, and that's all part of the learning
process. Professionally, Grant was a skilled reader, a fine section
player, had ample technique, and played all the doubles--he just
preferred to keep it low key. True humility. On some shows, I sat right
next to him soaking in the rich sonority of his bass clarinet or
baritone sax. Recently, we played with the Phoenix Symphony, Rosemary
Clooney, Diane Schuur, and Fiddler on the Roof. If it hadn't been for
Grant's training and encouragement, I might not have had those
experiences.
I was honored to play guitar for Grant & Kim's wedding on a boat in
Saguaro Lake surrounded by their closest loved ones. That was a special
day. There was also the outing on Humphrey's Peak with Grant, Kim & the
kids: We saw a huge porcupine from the ski lift and then played the
alphabet game, using animal names from A to Z, all the way back to
Flagstaff. Always exploring, learning, teaching, sharing--that was
Grant's way. And I usually realized something of value when I was around
him. This past July and August, we were both teaching summer classes and
I got to see him almost every day: I know what a treat it was just to
stop by his office and say: "Hey Grant!" We will sorely miss him.
Although the loss is painful, I rejoice in his memory. He leaves a
big hole, and a big legacy. Significantly, a large "family" of us
survive who are enriched through the experience of knowing Grant Wolf.
He remains with us, in our hearts and minds. We won't forget him.

Ted Goddard

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------- COMMENTS: right on, Theodore.
Posted by: Bob Washut on August 25, 2002 06:42 PM

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Dear Friends: seems like I can't stop thinking about Grant ever since I heard the bad news. I haven't seen Grant since 1989 and then only once or twice since 1977. But I realize now that he was with me the entire time by virtue of what he taught me at MCC in 1974. I have an eighteen year old bass player son who I'm now teaching the stuff that Grant told me 25 years ago! I guess we're not able to properly evaluate the contribution people make to our lives until they're gone. Some of the things I remember best are Grant at the Village Inn in Tempe holding a pitcher(never a glass) of beer saying "Bobby how are ya?" I don't think Grant ever yelled at me but one time when I voiced some frustration at a part I was playing in Jazz Band he stared at me for about 2 minutes without saying a word. You could hear a pin drop and nobody moved. And then it was over and everything was cool except my life flashed in front of my eyes about 50 times. Sure going to miss you, Grant. Love you. Bob Weller

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To a true jazz hero, and all around inspiration to me and my musical pals...
Grant, you filled my life with the gift of knowledge about jazz, life, and what it means to be a man in this world through your teaching in school and just through your incredibly strong father like presence. Keeping us college yay-hoos in line, teaching us your passion for the music, which I am proud to say lives on in me, and will forever. I am so thankful for the people I met thanks to you and all of your great works at MCC. You took me under your wing when I was 14 at the summer jazz work shop, introduced me to the great Joe Pass, sat me next to my now long time pal Ted Goddard and made me feel what it's like to appreciate the music! And then, in 1979, put me in a band with the likes of Steve Marsh, Chris Armstrong, Dan Tomlinson, Matt McKenzie and other long time friends for a college experience I will never forget. Thanks to your giving spirit that will live on and on my friend, you gave to the world... you accomplished your mission in life. I am so proud to have called you a friend and leader to me.
May your soul rest in peace Grant. I will miss you!
With love and deep admiration,
Ray Herndon

Posted by Jeff Papineau at 11:56 PM |

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I first met Grant when I was a student teacher at Flagstaff High School. John Hoffman was the band Director at Flagstaff High School and I had known him for a few years before I began student teaching with (or rather for) him. When I would show up to student teach, I would find myself alone in the classroom with baton in hand, rehearsing the band and would not see John until after lunch. During that time I learned very quickly how to deal with high school students who were testing the student teacher. When something would happen in the classroom and I couldn’t determine who was responsible or what to do next - I recognized a “wry smile” on the face of one young clarinet student who seemed to always be in the right place at the time I looked his way, but I always wondered? As the semester of student teaching continued, I found him to be one who always had the music well prepared and one who supported me in that difficult time of student teaching! His leadership of the clarinet section and of the marching band as the Drum Major was a prelude to his many years of professional performance and strong leadership in the field of education. But that smile always made me wonder!!! What’s coming??

As high school music educators in Arizona we struggled to get jazz established as a part of our curriculum in the schools. Grant, as the jazz director at Mesa Community College was in the forefront of the work that set up jazz clinics, jazz festivals and quality jazz performances that gave credibility to the idea of including this vital subject in the school day schedule. When people talk about jazz in Arizona - Grant Wolf is the first name mentioned.

When Mesa Community College was invited to perform in France early in the seventies, I got a call from Pat Curry, Director of the NAU Summer Muisic Camp wanting to know if Toni and I would take over the position of running the girl’s dorm for a summer while Grant left with the MCC Jazz group. Of course we accepted and were happy to do so. That began another chapter in our lives with Grant and family. When they returned, we expected that we would once again be in HOT Mesa in July and August. Grant chose not to continue that position, and just teach in the camp. We were happy, they were happy and life was good. Twenty-five years of association with the music camp family was one of the highlights in our family.

Year after year the camp was successful. We kept hiring these famous professional jazz personalities to conduct Jazz I and Grant would conduct Jazz II. The professionals would set Jazz I up to accompany them and they would play all the solos. The Jazz I group, being the best auditioned players should have been the top group on jazz night. Not so!!! Jazz II got the standing ovations year after year. Pat Curry, being very frustrated about this asked, “What can we do to solve this problem?” The answer? Give Jazz I to Grant!! Done!! The next year and every year after - Jazz I got the standing ovations - Grant never played a solo in front of his jazz groups(although he was better than many of those “pros” we hired). His focus was on the students and their success. Jazz night was always one of the great highlights of NAU Summer Music Camp.

When our sons became interested in jazz, we did all we could to get them involved with Grant Wolf. Our oldest son, Chuck, considers himself a protégé of Grant Wolf. He studied saxophone with Grant, played in bands conducted by Grant and sat beside Grant as a professional performer. Today, as I watch my son conduct his bands and listen to him play, I can hear and see the discipline, creativity, mannerisms and virtues that this man of great compassion and musical intensity passed on. His legacy will live on as many, many others, like our sons Chuck and Jeff, continue to mirror the many influences Grant had on their lives.

Grant had the ability to sense a person’s mood and feelings. In some very difficult times in my life, the first person to come to me and be concerned and offer help was Grant Wolf. I know I wasn’t the only person who had that experience and I know that the strength he showed was a strength in his soul. And I also know that his strength and compassion came from a deep concern for others and a true faith in God and his Love.

Grant Wolf set many standards and showed many people how success in life could be accomplished. Yes, I know we all have our times when we aren’t what we hope we could be, but at the end of our lives we hope and pray we can make a difference by what we do and how we act. That was something Grant did as a natural course in his life. He was a loving, caring person, who gave himself to all who needed him. He did this without fanfare, without expectations, without seeking self grandizement, with humor and with only the concern for those who needed his time, his help and his heart.

Grant Wolf gave himself to us completely during his short time of life. He did this willingly and with sincere concern for us. We have an obligation to him to pass this on, to look within ourselves and find that seed he planted in us when he smiled, when he praised, when he challenged, when he cared. His spirit will reside in all of us who were fortunate enough to know him.

I thank God for Grant Wolf and I know when we meet again the Angels playing their harps will know all the changes to all the tunes and wouldn’t dare drop a beat. We will “Jam” and I will once again see that “wry smile” that says “How you doin?”

Posted by Joe Lloyd at August 24, 2002 09:33 PM

Comments:
So many faded memories are coming back to focus by these postings... It's very heart warming to see the names and hear the stories. It's like traveling back in time to visit my past and finding it a nice place to be.
Joe Lloyd! You and Dick Rader were the first people to grace my life with an experience of jazz. I took so much for granted (no pun intended) and only now can I truly appreciate all that you gave me. Thank you!!
The connection between what you were doing at Mountain View HS and what Grant was doing at MCC is somehow more obvious to me as a result of reading all of these messages. It is amazing to me to realize how much of what I do in the classroom traces back to you and Grant. (I've been teaching for a while now.) Good things stick, I suppose.
I owe you a lot of thanks and more than a few apologies, I'm sure. I hope you get this message. Give Dick a hug for me if you get the chance... Thank you for everything!
Posted by: Bradmo Payne on August 27, 2002 08:05 PM

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Grant had Gary Foster in for a workshop, to begin after lunch with the band. In our infinite ignorance, Ray and I had one watch between us, and the battery was dead on it. After a margarita and some enchiladas, we ambled back across the grass toward the MCC theater, late, where Grant was stalking us with his biggest voice. My first grey hair was born that day.

Thank you Grant for your patience.

Matt McKenzie

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My name is Karen Dwyer, and I was at MCC in 79-82. I've been thinking all week about how Grant influenced my life and I've come to realize that what I am today, my love for music, how I treat other people, even how I am raising my children was largly influenced by Grant. I first met him at N.A.U. music camp when I was twelve. I walked into one of his jazz ensemble classes toting my bass clarinet (*laugh*). I didn't really know what a jazz ensemble was at the time, having played mostly 'band' music and classical ensemble type arrangments. There in front of me was this gentle giant. He stood and smiled at me, scratching his chin as he always did. He said he didn't use bass clarinets in this group, he did in some of his other jazz groups, but not this one. I was disappointed, but he led me out and we found another class for me to take. (He could have just blown off this little girl, but even then he took the time to get me to where I needed to be.)

Fast forward to my senior year of high school and an audition to play in the band at MCC. I remember him telling me to blow on that thing!! Put some air through that horn! It was just the beginning of things to come.

Over the next couple of years the gentle giant would greatly influence me way beyond how I played my horn. I was a classical player. I loved jazz but didn't play it. Guess I was a jazz band groupie. It didn't matter to Grant. His love, his influence reached every part of my life. He taught me about caring enough to do things the right way, about taking the high road. He shared his spirit of music. He taught me to give 110% more, when I thought I already had. I believe, as so many have already said, that he gave to those whos lives he touched a legacy of love. We learned well, and we try to give it to those we meet in our lives. His love for life and the music lives on.

God's love and peace to you great teacher, and friend, Grant Wolf.

Karen Dwyer
MCC 79-82
kelliott_61@msn.com

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So, the first thing to say is I still use the word "man" after just about every sentence! Thanks for that Grant!
Well, I see Joe Lloyd posted here. He was the one that initially taught me to suck on a reed and blow a pitiful clarinet. But since my father Roger's office was 2 doors down from Grant, heheh~it was private lesson time! I was a fat little kid standing next to a giant with long hair and a demeanor that defied explaination. I looked up to him literally and figuratively! After about 10 years of weekly learning more about music, life and how to be cool, I ended up sitting first chair clarinet at NAU music camp orchestra with Ralston Pitts as director. Man, could you have better musical mentors? Also had some great experiences with Grant's dad in the cool pines of Flagstaff! And I will never forget the time I didn't practice that week. I was the proud recipient of the "We are both wasting our time here Philip" 5 minute lecture (well deserved). I remember that little chit-chat drove an eleven year to tears. He came into the restroom where I retreated to, said he was sorry and passed me a hanky. He proceeded to lob out a typical sordid Grant remark. We laughed and it was back to lesson time. I never went a day after that without at least an hour on the horn. Well I haven't run into Grant in years, but Dad has kept me up with life at MCC and the Wolf goings on. Why is it that the good seem to go first? Maybe because their art and talent are needed badly in the next life. I also have you to thank for the "no cursive, print handwriting with the accentuated and very flowery first letter of the sentence" writing!
Miss you man...

Posted by: Phil Harris on August 26, 2002 08:41 PM

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From Dan Gutenkauf

It has been heartwarming and healing to be able to refer to this web site of memorials and memoirs of Grant Wolf. Thank you, Jeff, for making this forum available. It has brought back many forgotten memories and filled in a lot of blank spots for me about Grant.

I moved to Arizona in 1978 from the Midwest with the hope of having more opportunities to play music for a living. My parents had adamantly discouraged me and my brother Denny from pursuing a career in music. I already had my college degree in Psychology, along with several music classes that I squeezed into a Liberal Arts degree. I had studied Jazz guitar and bass from the top teacher in my hometown. Now in a new city and not knowing anyone, I set about the task of investigating music schools. ASU seemed like it would be too crowded and impersonal. There was one name that was consistently rolling off the tongues of the local music community, and that name was Grant Wolf at Mesa Community College.

My first semester in the Fall of 1979, I signed up for three classes taught by Grant - - -Jazz Improv, Chamber Music (Guitar) Ensemble, and Stage Band.Workshop. Like Bradmo's earlier account, I went into the Improv class expecting to get extensive lectures and stacks of musi