Guestbook

I studied with Roy Stevens approximately for 10 years, beginning cira 1962. Through Roy Stevens, I was introduced to Don Ellis when Don showed up one day for a lesson with Roy while I was sitting in the 'hot seat' receiving a lesson from Roy Stevens. Don Ellis listened, and next thing I knew, I was on an airplane from New York City to Los Angeles with with Don Ellis who hired me to join his band,.... thanks to Roy Stevens (1971). Roy had the patience of a 'Saint'. I recall grasping the embouchure system in about 2 years of time, however, I stayed with Roy 8 more years; the reason being is that Roy became a trusted friend, and mentor. I felt comfortable being around him and he encouraged me to practice hard. I eventually drifted away from studies with any and all teachers of brass,... and went on from there....yes, along the way, there were issues regarding mouthpieces and equipment changes I preferred, but overall, Roy Stevens made his mark with so many trumpeters,and as the years have slipped by after Roy Steven's death, some of his students have come back....to say Thank You to Roy. We'll never see this experience again. There is no sight like hindsight. Paul Bogosian November, 2008

I don't remember how I found out about Roy Stevens, but I took trumpet lessons from him in the early 1960s when I was in high school. I remember walking up the stairs to his studio in midtown Manhattan and meeting Roy. He was a bit heavy and had a hip little beard. I thought he was a cool guy. I was having trouble playing high notes with a traditional method and Roy explained his method to me, which sounded pretty interesting. After a while, I learned how to get some pretty high notes out of the trumpet. I remember coming to the studio one day and warming up. After hitting triple C during the warm-up, Roy turned to me with a smile and told me to go home because I didn't need him that day. LOL Roy was a cool guy and I very much valued what I learned from him. I've often wondered about him and I'm delighted to see this website in his honor and to learn that his teachings are still alive. I still have my method book and my original mouthpiece, both of which are sitting on my bookcase in my music room in fond remembrance of Roy and my youthful trumpet playing.

I studied with Roy from 1979 to 1982, he and Mary even came to my wedding in 1981. I spent many weekends at his house in Ossening. He was a great cook and taught me how to crack garlic, a technique I use to this day. I think the most important lesson I learned from Roy was to know what I was doing wrong with my chops and how to correct it. I didn't know what a triple G was, until I met him, now I every time I play one I can't help but think of him. I miss you. Nicky Hoffman Beechko

Thank you, David, for setting up this tribute site to Roy Stevens. He deserves to be remembered and this is a fitting and appropriate way to do it...I studied with Roy from '72-'74, driving with friends from our West Pt. Band location into NYC every Tues. for almost 3 years. Drawn by the truth of his book, I am most grateful to him for not only showing us a way to become better players But for giving us real answers to performance problems. While others were dealing with: tips, exercises, mouthpieces, and stylistic details, Roy gave us knowledge based on physical truth. ("The physical laws are constant whether one recognizes them or not". His brilliance was in being able to look at the whole question of "how can the human body best adapt itself to play the trumpet most effectively?" and come up with real answers. Not simple answers for sure, but the truth is not always simple. He gave us all the facts about what plays and what doesn't, took the mystery of chops out of our lives and replaced it with knowledge of the natural law of embouchure behavior. His book is a treasure of information waiting to be brought to life... I am eternally grateful for his work, and think of him often. His method is a huge part of my life and thinking. It made me a better teacher, a more thoughtful person, and a different, better player...I wish he knew just how much he impacted his students, who very often gave up playing as it used to be for the hope of mastering this method........Sam

I am Roy's niece. My father Alexander was Roy's brother. My son's girlfriend attended a jazz concert tonight at Kennedy Center. When she got home she told my son that Roy was mentioned at the concert and that he had a tribute website. Sometimes when you are family you aren't always aware of how a family member touches the lives of others. I have many wonderful memories of my uncle, and of course, my Aunt Mary. My father, who passed away in 2001, adored his brother. I like to think they are together again and enjoying each other’s company.

Hi there, I am, very happy for this site. I did not personally study with Roy Stevens but I have the book for decades and I'm forever grateful for his teaching. It took me ten years to really get it without a personal teacher. I did buy Roy Roman pack about 3 years ago, which helped me a lot. Thank you for making this site. Peter Keller

I want to thank you for this web site. Roy and Mary were a very kind and loving couple who invited me into their home and allowed me to stay over night to take my first in-person lesson. I studied with Roy for a short time when I lost my playing due to Bell’s palsy after I left the Marine Band. I have played almost all methods and thought I was a good lead player, but what Roy taught me, even with my paralysis, all I can say is Wow!!! After Roy died and my Dad died, I stopped playing. No matter what is said about this method, IT WORKS! But you have to do your work and teach yourself with what Roy gives you. Anyway, thanks again for this site honoring my teacher. God Bless you Roy.

Excellent work, David.  A phenomenal homage to an extraordinary teacher and player.