Facebook Live: Interview with Thaddeus Ford II- An American Jazz Trumpeter
Channel: Good Parenting Brighter Children
Date: 2019-02-28

Facebook Live: Interview with Thaddeus Ford II- An American Jazz Trumpeter

For more information, see the blog-  https://goodparentingbrighterchildren.com/american-jazz-trumpeter/

Legacies happen as families pass down from generation to generation the things they love and cherish. 

American Jazz Trumpeter, Thaddeus Ford, II, a 6th generation jazz musician from New Orleans understands the significance of legacies because he belongs to one. Here's what this talented trumpeter says about inspiring your children musically and keeping legacies alive.

Thaddeus Ford II is a six-generation jazz musician. His great-great-great grandfather, Narcisse Gabriel, a bass player, came to New Orleans in the mid-1800s from the Dominion Republic. At the time, the music in New Orleans was a mix of interesting sounds and jazz was still a figment of the imagination, but Narcisse loved and immersed himself into the music community.

Some say the jazz era began in 1895 when Buddy Bolden started his first band. Others say 1917 when Nick LaRocca and his Original Dixieland Jazz Band recorded the first jazz record, “Livery Stable Blues.”

But one thing is for certain—New Orleans was the birthplace of Jazz and America has never been the same since. It’s an energetic, jubilant sound that has reverberated and changed the way we feel, respond, and interpret music.

Narcisse Gabriel was there when jazz was born; adding his talents and helping it to grow.

He passed his love of music to his son, Martin Joseph (also known as "Big Manny") who played accordion and cornet.

The next four generations of the Gabriel/Ford family musicians looked like this:

#3: Martin Manual Gabriel, (also known as "Manny") played the clarinet
#4: Clarence Ford, Sr. (saxophone, clarinet)
#5 Thaddeus Ford, Sr. (trumpet)
#6: Thaddeus Ford, II (trumpet)
To cement the influence of the Gabriel/Ford family on New Orleans Jazz, a book was penned by family member Larry Gabriel titled, Daddy Plays Old Time New Orleans Jazz and gives the complete history of these talented musicians.

A legacy was in the making…

American Jazz Trumpeter

Interests and passions that are passed from generation to generation link and bind families. It gives us a sense of belonging to something bigger and more powerful than just ourselves. These avocations and vocations within a family define who the family is.

Clarence Ford, Sr. was an important part of the family music tree. He played saxophone and clarinet and was a sideman during the heyday of Rock & Roll. Clarence toured with Fats Domino and other great musicians for 25 years. And he was Thaddeus Ford's II influential grandfather.


Clarence Ford, Sr. also a talented musician (he toured with Fats Domino for 25 years) was Thaddeus Ford's grandfather and was en enormous influence on young Thaddeus. He taught him trumpet; sat with him while he practiced and encouraged him every step of the way. That's the power of loving grandparents!
Clarence’s son, Thaddeus Ford, Sr. was a trumpet player. He served in the military and played in the military band for 15 years. It was an easy way to provide for his growing family. He noticed that his son, Thaddeus II loved music and so at the age of 8 he put a trumpet in his hands. It was love at first sound!

However, his aunt said he shouldn’t have it until he could take formal lessons so it was taken away until he was 12 years old.

High school opened up a whole new world for Thaddeus. He went to the famous performing arts high school, NOCCA (New Orleans 

His exposure to music and opportunities to grow musically was nurtured and fostered at NOCCA. But his real love for music began at home…

Although his father gave him a workman’s knowledge of the trumpet, it was his grandfather Clarence that paved the way for his music passion to develop and grow. He spent time with young Thaddeus; teaching him the trumpet, sitting with him as he practiced and regaling him with stories of his musical ancestors. Thaddeus knew he was part of a musical family where 75% of the family were professional musicians. He also knew he was his grandfather’s pride and joy!

Today, Thaddeus’s continues to build upon his family’s musical legacy. He has two children who both love and embrace the arts. His 10-year old daughter excels at musical theater, piano, guitar, and vocals. His 5-year old son loves the drums. And Thaddeus encourages, helps and supports them both.

Links:

Website: Good Parenting Brighter Children
https://goodparentingbrighterchildren.com

Book: Good Music Brighter Children by Sharlene Habermeyer https://amzn.to/2EgMuER 

Resource Library: https://goodparentingbrighterchildren.com/resource-library/

Parents, homeschooling moms, stay at home moms, this Resource Library is designed to help you raise brighter children. Books, music CD's, nutrition, toys, and game lists, plus printables, recipes, family friendly and more. Everything is here to help you with your family and parenting journey!