By George Katsakis (152.163.201.192 - 152.163.201.192) on Sunday, March 31, 2002 - 07:20 am:

Tonight Dave Kovarik and Nick Palise came to the Clawson and sat in and we had a great time. Both Dave and Nick are great sax players. Well, anyhow we got to talking about the music teacher that we each had in common by the name of Clarence Hewitt. Clarence played saxophone on the Soupy Sales show when it was broadcast live from Detroit. Also in that same band was Joe Mesina. I used to take lessons from Clarence either just before the broadcast or right after depending on who was guest appearing on the show and how much rehearsing the band had to do. He was a great player.

I thought it would be interesting to hear from others posting to this site about their music teachers or training to see what the common threads might be. I know some guitar players studied with Joe Fava another great musician. I'm looking forward to learning more about your backgrounds.

By Son of Thunder (63.61.179.45 - 63.61.179.45) on Thursday, April 04, 2002 - 02:45 am:

One particular teacher in the Detroit area was a man named Charles Bannister.He worked as a postal worker in the day and taught drums late afternoon and into the evening.His students included Quintin Denard who played on 25 Miles-Edwin Starr and Andrew Smith.Andrew,at age 19,played on "In the Rain" and "Whatcha See is Whatcha Get" by the Dramatics.He soon began to thrive in the studios at Motown and the surrounding areas.He was yet another example of Bannisters quality teaching.In addition,Bannister was so commited and devoted to teaching his students that if he didn't feel the student was progressing he would not accept money for the lesson.He truly was a great teacher and person.

By George Katsakis (205.188.200.42 - 205.188.200.42) on Thursday, April 04, 2002 - 06:35 am:

I remember Andrew Smith and he was a great drummer and a great guy. I know Babbit should have some stories about Andrew because they were great friends. Hopefully we will hear more about Andrew Smith and about more music teachers.

By david, glasgow, scotland (213.122.130.20 - 213.122.130.20) on Thursday, April 04, 2002 - 07:42 am:

thanks son of thunder and welcome to the forum.

By acooolcat (211.72.121.66 - 211.72.121.66) on Thursday, April 04, 2002 - 09:57 am:

How many of you musicians studied at Cass Tech?
I think Mike Terry, Don Davis and Lorraine Chandler did. How about Mr Ashford?
Graham

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Thursday, April 04, 2002 - 01:52 pm:

Graham,
I went to Cass Tech for one year but I didn't study music there. I thought I wanted to be an aeronautical engineer. Yeah right Ralph!!

By acooolcat (211.78.28.75 - 211.78.28.75) on Thursday, April 04, 2002 - 02:00 pm:

Ralph, music is much more glamorous and sexier!
Besides - If you hadn't see the light we wouldn't have had the pleasure of listening to all those fantastic recordings made at TS!
Graham

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Thursday, April 04, 2002 - 02:06 pm:

And I probably would have built lousy airplanes Graham.

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Thursday, April 04, 2002 - 02:26 pm:

Not to mention the fact that Tera Shirma would never have "got off the ground" ;o)

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Thursday, April 04, 2002 - 02:29 pm:

Well that one didn't fly that long either Graham.

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Thursday, April 04, 2002 - 02:34 pm:

Mmmm - but I reckon you earned your wings with it!

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Thursday, April 04, 2002 - 02:52 pm:

Sorry Ritchie,
I thought Graham had posted that last one. It's early here and I'm still waking up.

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Thursday, April 04, 2002 - 03:26 pm:

Ralph

Don't worry about it. It's mid-afternoon here, and I'm STILL half-asleep!