In memoriam: Wilmer Wise

Trumpeter Wilmer Wise first came to national prominence with his appointment to the largely non-integrated Baltimore Symphony Orchestra as its assistant principal trumpet player in the early 1960's. This time marked the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement, and Wise played a key role in integrating American orchestras.

Born in 1936, "the Wise One" performed every style of music. His experience ranged from classical to show music, from Broadway musicals to jazz. Wilmer insisted he was not a jazz trumpeter, even though he performed as soloist with Quincy Jones and Johnny Lynch's Club Harlem Band. He was much more than only a jazz player: he famously performed with the Symphony of the New World as well as with the American Symphony under Maestro Leopold Stokowski.

For those who knew him, Wilmer's proudest moment was perhaps in having been asked to perform the only known performance of West Side Story conducted under Leonard Bernstein's own hand. A veteran first-call trumpet player on Broadway, Wilmer, was not surprisingly the virtuoso that Lenny chose to lead his orchestra on that landmark recording. Referring to the difficult challenges presented by the music, Maestro Bernstein, not generally known for lavish praise, famously remarked during rehearsal: “Despite the fact we have this great genius first trumpet player...”


Wilmer Wise served on the faculties of Morgan State and the Peabody Conservatory. He was available to students beyond the universities for words of advice or encouragement, suggestions and even solutions. He was a gentle soul that spoke quietly, yet with authority and conviction. To know him was to feel privileged to be, let alone play the trumpet, in his presence.

Wilmer suffered through his illness the same way he lived his life: With class, dignity and humility. He posted the following simple comment just a week before he passed: “I am going back into the hospital.” There were no complaints or requests for help, just a simple, declarative statement that spoke volumes. Wilmer Wise was 78 when he died. He will be sorely missed.

 

Links: The famous rehearsal during which Leonard Bernstein made the famous statement, referred to above, may be heard at 0:40 of the following video found on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ra3zyMcTKX4

 

Source: Mark Schwartz, Scottsdale, Arizona

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