The Story
of how Arturo Found Flip Oakes and his Wild Thing Trumpet
It took me a long twenty-five
years to develop the Wild Thing trumpet, and over the years,
I had many dreams for it. But I have to admit, there were
some dreams I feared would remain only a vision. And, even
now it is hard to believe that I have been bestowed this
great honor as a trumpet designer. Having Arturo Sandoval
play a Wild Thing trumpet is a privilege that I do not take
lightly because of the sincere respect I have for him.
I
would have never guessed that the same day I attended a
funeral for a close trumpet player friend, Al Davis, would
be the same day I'd get a call from another friend, Nathan
Mills, telling me Arturo Sandoval liked my Flip Oakes
Celebration Trumpet after playing it backstage during a
show. Arturo wanted to meet with me to talk about my
trumpets. However, our schedules conflicted.
So, Nate took a Wild Thing down to the Anthology Jazz Club
in San Diego the next night and met up with Arturo after his
performance. I understood the risk; what it would imply if
he didn't like it. But more than anything, I know the Wild
Thing Trumpet and I believed that Arturo would understand
its concept. I play it, and I wanted him to play it. I
wanted him to hear it and feel how it is different from all
others. I asked Nate to call me, regardless of the hour, and
let me know what Arturo's thoughts were about the horn.
At
9:45 pm I received a call. I was elated to hear that Arturo
wanted to meet me that night. So my wife, Joyce, and I drove
down to the Anthology to meet with him. Within minutes of my
arrival, he announced, "Say no more, that horn is mine. How
much I owe you?" He was taken back by its sound. He not only
embraced the trumpet, his enthusiasm filled the room.
Later
our conversation evolved, Arturo told me he was looking for
a flugelhorn mouthpiece. I told him that I had just what he
needed in my shop. Even after telling him it was a 35-mile
trip, and despite the fact it was 11:30 pm, he energetically
said, "Let's Go!". He tried my Flugelhorn, and selected a
new #3 WT Flugelhorn mouthpiece. Then he meticulously chose
a mute for his new Wild Thing trumpet. Yet, it didn't end
there, time seemed to pass effortlessly with him. This was
more than business for me; this was the beginning of a
friendship.
It was late and Arturo was
hungry since he hadn't had anything to eat since lunch. On
our way back to San Diego we decided to stop to get a bite
to eat. He overwhelmed us with his sincerity and
graciousness. He has perfect balance of humbleness and
conviction. In the end, we drove him back to his hotel at
2:30 am, and he seemed like a kid with a new toy. I too,
felt like a kid in my own way.
It
isn't often that you meet someone for whom you have such
respect, and at the same time, you have the opportunity to
offer something that can be of value. That night wasn't
about what either one of us could get from each other.
Instead, it was about giving and sharing. We talked about
life, family, music, and playing. I personally feel like I
was the one on the receiving end of it all.
For me, it was a once in a lifetime experience. I was
overwhelmed to be witnessing the beginning of a relationship
between a true master and his new trumpet.
It
was a true pleasure, Arturo Sandoval, to have met you. Thank
you for your support.
I would like to express my
sincere gratitude to Nate Mills for thinking of me and
introducing me to Arturo Sandoval.
Flip Oakes
Visit
Arturo's Website
