Reuben McFall ''(aka'' Ruben and Rubin and Ruban; born 1 Feb 1931

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...

) is an American trumpeter and jazz arranger who performed as a sideman with

Freddie Slack Frederick Charles Slack (August 7, 1910 – August 10, 1965) was an American swing and boogie-woogie pianist and bandleader. Life and career Slack was born in Westby, Wisconsin, United States. He learned to play drums as a boy. Later he took up ...

Vido Musso Vido William Musso (January 16, 1913 – January 9, 1982) was an American jazz saxophonist. Biography Musso moved with his family from Sicily to the U.S. in July 1920, having arrived at the Port of New York on the Italian steamship ''Patria''. T ...

, Floyd Ray,

Roy Porter Roy Sydney Porter, FBA (31 December 1946 – 3 March 2002) was a British historian known for his work on the history of medicine. He retired in 2001 from the director of the Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine at University College L ...

(from 1949 to 1950), Glen Henry,

Lalo Guerrero Eduardo "Lalo" Guerrero (December 24, 1916 – March 17, 2005) was an American guitarist, singer and farm labor activist best known for his strong influence on later Latin musical artists. Early life Guerrero was born in Tucson, Arizona, one o ...

Stan Kenton Stanley Newcomb Kenton (December 15, 1911 – August 25, 1979) was an American popular music and jazz artist. As a pianist, composer, arranger and band leader, he led an innovative and influential jazz orchestra for almost four decades. Though K ...

(from 1952 to 1953),

Gerry Mulligan Gerald Joseph Mulligan (April 6, 1927 – January 20, 1996), also known as Jeru, was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, composer and arranger. Though primarily known as one of the leading jazz baritone saxophonists—playing the instrum ...

Woody Herman Woodrow Charles Herman (May 16, 1913 – October 29, 1987) was an American jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, singer, and big band leader. Leading groups called "The Herd", Herman came to prominence in the late 1930s and was active until his dea ...

(from 1953 to 1955), Teddi King, and

Gerald Wilson Gerald Stanley Wilson (September 4, 1918 – September 8, 2014) was an American jazz trumpeter, big band bandleader, composer, arranger, and educator. Born in Mississippi, he was based in Los Angeles from the early 1940s. In addition to being a ...

Career

; As sideman, performed with *

* Floyd Ray ''(né'' Floyd Edward Ray; 1909–1985) *

from 1949 to 1950 * Glen Henry ''(né'' Glenn Alba Henry, Jr. 1915–1993) Band in 1950, with

Joe Maini Joe Maini (February 8, 1930 – May 7, 1964) was an American jazz alto saxophonist. Maini was born February 8, 1930 in Providence, Rhode Island. Early in his career Maini played in the big bands of Alvino Rey, Johnny Bothwell, and Claude Thornhil ...

on saxophone,

Jimmy Knepper James Minter Knepper (November 22, 1927 – June 14, 2003) was an American jazz trombonist. In addition to his own recordings as leader, Knepper performed and recorded with Charlie Barnet, Woody Herman, Claude Thornhill, Stan Kenton, Benny Goo ...

on trombone, and Bill Trujillo ''(né'' William Lee Trujillo; born 1930) on saxophone *

— toured with his band from 1951 to 1952, with

Lennie Niehaus Leonard Niehaus (June 1, 1929 – May 28, 2020) was an American alto saxophonist, composer and arranger on the West Coast jazz scene. He played with the Stan Kenton Orchestra and served as one of Kenton's primary staff arrangers. He also played ...

on alto sax, Bill Trujillo on tenor, Frank Quijada (1917–1953) on drums, and Al León on piano *

from 1952 to 1953 — McFall was a member of the band during a milestone in jazz, when Kenton's band recorded the first of 5 sessions in 9 days for Capitol in Chicago for the ''New Concepts of Artistry In Rhythm album.'' :

Conte Candoli Secondo "Conte" Candoli (July 12, 1927 – December 14, 2001) was an American jazz trumpeter based on the West Coast. He played in the big bands of Woody Herman, Stan Kenton, Benny Goodman, and Dizzy Gillespie, and in Doc Severinsen's NBC Orch ...

Buddy Childers Marion "Buddy" Childers (February 12, 1926 – May 24, 2007) was an American jazz trumpeter, composer and ensemble leader. Childers became famous in 1942 at the age of 16, when Stan Kenton hired him to be the lead trumpet in his band. Biography ...

, Don Dennis ''(né'' Donald Duane Dennis; 1927–1995), and

Maynard Ferguson Walter Maynard Ferguson CM (May 4, 1928 – August 23, 2006) was a Canadian jazz trumpeter and bandleader. He came to prominence in Stan Kenton's orchestra before forming his own big band in 1957. He was noted for his bands, which often served ...

were in the trumpet section : Bill Holman,

Richie Kamuca Richie Kamuca (July 23, 1930 – July 22, 1977) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. Musical career Kamuca was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, and, like many players associated with West Coast jazz, grew up in the East befo ...

were on tenor sax :

Lee Konitz Leon Konitz (October 13, 1927 – April 15, 2020) was an American composer and alto saxophonist. He performed successfully in a wide range of jazz styles, including bebop, cool jazz, and avant-garde jazz. Konitz's association with the cool jazz ...

, Vinnie Dean ''(né'' Vincent N. DiVittorio; 1929–2010) on alto sax :

Bill Russo William Joseph Russo (June 25, 1928 – January 11, 2003) was an American composer, arranger, and musician from Chicago, Illinois, United States. History A student of jazz pianist Lennie Tristano, Russo wrote orchestral scores for the Stan Ken ...

, Bob Fitzpatrick ''(né'' Francis Steven Fitzpatrick; 1920–1995), Keith Moon ''(né'' Gordon Keith Moon; 1929–2006), George Roberts, and

Frank Rosolino Frank Rosolino (August 20, 1926 – November 26, 1978) was an American jazz trombonist. Biography Rosolino was born in Detroit, Michigan, United States, He performed with the big bands of Bob Chester, Glen Gray, Tony Pastor, Herbie Fields, Gen ...

on trombone : Kenton directing and on piano, Derek Walton on percussion,

Sal Salvador Sal Salvador (November 21, 1925 – September 22, 1999) was an American bebop jazz guitarist and a prominent music educator. He was born in Monson, Massachusetts, United States, and began his professional career in New York City. He eventually mo ...

on guitar,

Don Bagley Donald Neff Bagley (July 18, 1927 – July 26, 2012) was an American jazz bassist. Career Bagley was born on July 18, 1927 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He received formal training on the double bass. He studied in Los Angeles and played in 1945 w ...

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on drums : Kay Brown singing * Gerry Mulligan — see album compilation, ''Gerry Mulligan: The Quintessence/New York Los Angeles Paris 1946-1955'' : Recording sessions: March 21, 1946 to October 31, 1955 # Chicago # Los Angeles # New York # Paris # San Diego # Stockton *

from 1953 to 1955, for whom he composed and arranged "Mambo the Most" *

Teddi King Teddi King (September 18, 1929 – November 18, 1977) was an American jazz and pop vocalist. Born Theodora King in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, she won a singing competition hosted by Dinah Shore at Boston's Tributary Theatre, later beg ...

, at the

Newport Jazz Festival The Newport Jazz Festival is an annual American multi-day jazz music festival held every summer in Newport, Rhode Island. Elaine Lorillard established the festival in 1954, and she and husband Louis Lorillard financed it for many years. They hire ...

in 1955 *

— McFall is featured as trumpet soloist on a recording of "La Virgen de la Macarena," arranged by Wilson and recorded in 1954 with Wilson's big band *

Shorty Rogers Milton "Shorty" Rogers (born Milton Rajonsky; April 14, 1924 – November 7, 1994) was an American jazz musician, one of the principal creators of West Coast jazz. He played trumpet and flugelhorn and was in demand for his skills as an arran ...

Big Band ; Jazz discography, sessions, transcribed broadcasts, recorded concerts * 3 with Roy Porter and His Orchestra from 1949 to 1950 * 59 with

from 1952 to 1953 * 1 with Shorty Rogers and His Big Band in 1953 * 13 with

from 1953 to 1955 * 1 with

1955,

Selected discography

; As sideman With

*''

Popular Favorites by Stan Kenton ''Popular Favorites by Stan Kenton'' is a compilation album by pianist and bandleader Stan Kenton featuring performances recorded between 1951 and 1953 and originally released as a 10-inch LP and 45 rpm EP on Capitol before being reissued as a 12 ...

'' (Capitol, 1953) *''

Sketches on Standards ''Sketches on Standards'' (subtitled ''Request selections from the Kenton Dance Library'') is an album by pianist and bandleader Stan Kenton featuring performances of jazz standards recorded in 1953 and originally released on the Capitol label as ...

'' (Capitol, 1953) *''

This Modern World ''This Modern World'' is a weekly satirical comic strip by cartoonist and political commentator Tom Tomorrow (real name Dan Perkins) that covers current events from a left-wing point of view. Published continuously for more than 30 years, ''This M ...

'' (Capitol, 1953) *''

The Kenton Era ''The Kenton Era'' is a compilation album by pianist and bandleader Stan Kenton featuring recordings from 1940 to 1954 which was originally released in two limited edition box sets, as fifteen 7 inch 45 rpm discs and four 12 inch LPs, on Capitol i ...

'' (Capitol, 1940–54,

955 Year 955 (Roman numerals, CMLV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Europe * August 10 – Battle of Lechfeld (955), Battle of Lechfeld: King Otto I, H ...

Dodo Marmarosa Michael "Dodo" Marmarosa (December 12, 1925 – September 17, 2002) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and arranger. Originating in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Marmarosa became a professional musician in his mid-teens, and toured with several ...

Lorraine Geller Lorraine Winifred Geller (née Walsh; September 11, 1928 – October 13, 1958) was an American jazz pianist. Geller was born in Portland, Oregon on September 11, 1928. She started out with the all-female big band Sweethearts of Rhythm, based in ...

, ''West Coast Piano Touch'' (1992) :: Norma Japan – NLP 5011, Vantage Records (2) – NLP 5011 :: McFall on side B only :: B1 thru B4 recorded July 7, 1953, live,

Rendezvous Ballroom The Rendezvous Ballroom was a large dance hall built in 1928, located on the beach of Balboa Peninsula in Orange County, Southern California, between Los Angeles and San Diego. The 1920s were the beginning of the heyday of public dancing to the mu ...

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, California :: B1: "

Sometimes I'm Happy "Sometimes I'm Happy" is a popular song. The music was written by Vincent Youmans, the lyrics by Irving Caesar. The song was originally published in 1923 under the title "Come On And Pet Me," with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and William Cary ...

" :: B2: "Buzzy" :: B3: "

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" :: B4: "Short Stop" :: Personnel:

Herb Geller Herbert Arnold Geller (November 2, 1928 – December 19, 2013) was an American jazz saxophonist, composer and arranger. He was born in Los Angeles, California, United States. Early life His mother, Frances ''(née'' Frances Mildred Fullman, al ...

, alto sax; Bill Perkins,

Jack Montrose Jack Montrose (December 30, 1928 – February 7, 2006) was a jazz tenor saxophonist and arranger. After attending college in Los Angeles, he worked with Jerry Gray and then Art Pepper. Montrose also did arrangements for Clifford Brown. He became k ...

, tenor saxes; Bill Holman, bari sax; Bob Edmondson,

Bob Enevoldsen Robert Martin Enevoldsen (September 11, 1920 – November 19, 2005) was a West Coast jazz tenor saxophonist and valve trombonist born in Billings, Montana, known for his work with Marty Paich. Career Enevoldsen recorded did sessions with Art ...

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, trombones;

Conrad Gozzo Conrad Joseph Gozzo (February 6, 1922October 8, 1964) was an American trumpet player. He was a member of the NBC Hollywood staff orchestra at the time of his death. Early life Gozzo was born in New Britain, Connecticut on February 6, 1922, ...

, Don Dennis,

, Ruben McFall,

, trumpets;

, piano;

John Simons John Simons (John Potts) is a British radio executive, former group programming director for GMG Radio now working as an International Radio Consultant, mainly in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Biography Simons began his career in 1979, ...

, acoustic bass;

Chuck Flores Charles Walter "Chuck" Flores (January 5, 1935 - November 24, 2016) was an American jazz drummer. One of the relatively small number of musicians associated with West Coast jazz who were actually from the West Coast, Flores was born in Orange, Cali ...

, drums * Shorty Rogers Big Band, ''Live at the Rendezvous Ballroom, Newport Beach, California''; :: Recorded July 11, 1953,

:: Personnel:

, Bill Perkins,

, Bill Holman, saxophones;

, Bob Edmondson,

, trombones;

, Ruban McFall, Don Dennis, trumpets;

, piano; John Simmons, bass;

, drums

Selected compositions and arrangements

* "Bobby's Mambo" * "Mambo the Most, Part 1" * "Mambo the Most, Part 2" * "Mambo the Utmost" * "Mambo a la Stockholm"

Education

McFall grew up in the Belvedere neighborhood of

East Los Angeles, California East Los Angeles ( es, Este de Los Ángeles), or East L.A., is an unincorporated area in Los Angeles County, California. As of the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census it had a population of 118,786, a drop of 6.1% from 2010 United States Cen ...

, long established as a Mexican-American enclave. In the 1940 and 1942 Los Angeles Voter Registration directory, Ruben's father, Ernest VanSant McFall (1887–1957), was listed a musician. McFall attended Westlake College of Music in

Hollywood, California Hollywood is a neighborhood in the central region of Los Angeles, California. Its name has come to be a shorthand reference for the U.S. film industry and the people associated with it. Many notable film studios, such as Columbia Pictures, ...

, one of the first institutions in the county to offer a diploma in jazz. The school was founded in 1945 and ran until 1961. In Los Angeles, during the early 1950s, his friends included trumpeter Donald Roy Fromknecht, Jr. (1928–2012).

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:McFall, Reuben Hard bop trumpeters Post-bop trumpeters American jazz trumpeters American male trumpeters Swing trumpeters American jazz composers American male jazz composers American music arrangers Jazz arrangers American jazz bandleaders 1931 births Living people 20th-century American composers 20th-century trumpeters People from East Los Angeles, California 21st-century trumpeters 20th-century American male musicians 21st-century American male musicians 20th-century jazz composers Jazz musicians from California