The musician I collaborated with the most–and enjoyed the most–was my Dad.
Ian Polster, Musician, Educator, and, when necessary, Genius
This is a publicity photo commissioned by the Springfield Symphony Orchestra for the premiere of my father’s Symphony #3, which had been commissioned and was about to be performed by the Springfield Symphony Orchestra.
My father, Ian Polster, an internationally recognized composer, arranger, and performer, music professor, and trombonist for the revered Stan Kenton Orchestra, was the most well known and sought after band leader in the region.
Some other people I’ve played with:
Playing with Roger Williams was the scariest gig I ever played. He was flawless, demanding, and blazingly fast, but very nice.
John Ferritto was the conductor of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra and my professor of “Form and Analysis” as a Junior year music major at Wittenberg University. He (and another faculty member) nominated me for the John Mitchell award at Wittenberg University, the top male honor for a Wittenberg student.
Gary Hobbs was the drummer for the Stan Kenton Orchestra when I attended the Kenton Jazz Clinic at Drury College in Springfield, MO. Gary’s main message to the 16 drummers at the clinic was “strong hi hat on 2 and 4 always.”
I auditioned and made a band in the middle of the pack. The drummer who made the top band was Dave Weckl, recognized internationally as one of drummings’ greats. I remember the jaw dropping experience of seeing him play for the first time at the clinic. He was 19, I was 16.
Unlike business, you cannot get away with “faking it” in music. You either have the “chops” or your don’t and it’s not hard to tell the difference. Like business, you get to work with stunningly talented people who can make you wide-eyed and awestruck.
