Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Remembering Dr. Robert L. Snyder





Steve Raybine:


Blog #57:


Remembering Dr. Robert L. Snyder


'Doc' Snyder, as he was always known to me, was the director/coordinator of the radio, television and film program at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, and taught some jazz education courses while I was a young boy growing-up in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He passed away March 27th, 2008, the same day that I was playing a jazz performance with my band in Omaha, Nebraska. Although I didn't find out about Doc's passing until the following Saturday evening, had he known I was performing that night, he probably would have said something like, "Go gettum,' Steve–go entertain the audience with your music."


Doc was a 'jazz' aficionado and supporter of America's great musical art form like no other person I've ever had the privilege of knowing. He was a jazz historian of the highest magnitude--he possessed an unparalled knowledge of all types of jazz music and was thrilled with any opportunity of sharing his insights to anyone at anytime. As young aspiring 'jazzers' during our high school years, my friends and I would often go to Doc's house where he would play us rare, vintage recordings of jazz artists that he greatly admired. I truly believe that it was Doc, more than anyone else, that instilled in me a love and an appreciation for the historical relevance of jazz. I always marveled at his detailed analyses of the individual jazz artists in any band, past or present--his knowledge was both profound and humbling to this young man. Interestingly, Doc possessed one of the truly great jazz album collections in the United States. I hope that his astounding and significant jazz collection is donated to some jazz museum in his honor one day.


For more than 30 years, Doc had a weekly jazz radio show in our community (90.3-FM WRST) entitled, "Jazz City," where he showcased his beloved jazz music to his many listeners. His compelling personality, combined with his exuberance for the music, converted many listeners to become jazz fans. Moreover, Doc was always a charismatic presence within the cultural life of Oshkosh, and Wisconsin in general. I can think of many occasions where he entertained many audiences in a variety of venues with his stories and jazz anecdotes.


When I began my jazz recording career during my early twenties on Chrysalis Records in Los Angeles, California, Doc was one of the very first people I wanted to share my music with. Throughout the years, he was always one of my strongest and most vigorous supporters. He truly believed in me and my musical pursuits and was proud of me, as he was of all those Wisconsin-bred jazz musicians he nurtured throughout the years.


I can't begin to tell you how much I admired and respected this man. To all of us who loved him, I can't help but feel the depth of loss we all will experience with his passing. Now that Doc is gone, it is up to my peers and I to keep his legacy alive and to keep creating and promoting jazz music as best we can. By doing so, perhaps we, too, will inspire a new generation of people that love jazz music.




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