 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2003-12-21 14:25
He's from Corpus Christi, Texas, where I live, and he's an alum of the community college where I work. Sad news.
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Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.
- Pope John Paul II
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Author: William
Date: 2003-12-21 15:31
Henry was a kind and gracius man that I had the fortune to meet twice. The first time was on a 1962ish college band trip on which we stayed overnight at an Indianaplis hotel where Jack Teagardens combo was playing in the lounge. His young, unknow but good, clarinetist let me try his clarinet (his reed was very hard) and seemed impressed when I played a bit of Mozart. He talked to us between sets and was very nice to a bunch of over-charged college bandsmen on a weekend football trip. (Teagarden played "OK" as well)
The next meeting was a couple of years ago after a Welk Show in Wisconsin Dells. I asked Henry if he was the clarinetist that we had met many years ago, and he replied "Yes--that was me!!" He spent extra time that evening as well talking with me about clarinet "stuff" and actually wanted to know what mpc/reed set-up I used. He asked me if I knew where he could find a Selmer BT clarinet and gave me his Toronto number "just in case" Chuck Hedges (whom he knew and repected) was willing to sell one of his. He never stopped smiling and seemed always on the "verge" of laughter, even after a long show.
I"ve watched Henrys TV Welk appearances for many years and heard him live twice--and I can say that he was good player whose solos were always tastefull, appropriate and well done. And, in person and on the phone, he was kind and gracious. Sorry to hear of his passing......a good clarinetist and a good man.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2003-12-21 15:50
As a kid I remember seeing him on the Lawrence Welk TV show when my parents watched it. I enjoyed his playing.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-12-21 16:52
Except for the pre-recorded Welk orchestra/chorus numbers (done for obvious balance reasons), Henry Cuesta performed countless times live, either as soloist or with the Dixieland combo during his Welk years.
He played flawlessly each and every time, delighting millions of Welk fans, week after week.
A fine musician and ambassador of graciousness who will be greatly missed.
Thankfully, his legacy will go on for many years ...GBK
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Author: clarinetmama
Date: 2003-12-23 13:49
Didn't another of Welks other clarinetists die this past year? I believe I read in the Clarinet magazine that Peanuts Hucko also passed away.
I swear my grandparents had a direct line to the Welk show. It seemed no matter what time of day we dropped in on them the show was on. Everyone of my generation (I'm 44) talks about their grandparents and Lawrence Welk. Will my grandkids think all I watched was MTV?
Jean
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Author: jbutler ★2017
Date: 2003-12-23 16:59
Henry called me last year about this time. He wanted to try a Selmer BT that I had for sale. I shipped it off to him in Branson where he was playing at that time. He shipped the clarinet back to me but kept the mouthpiece. It was a vintage HS* that was with the clarinet when I got it. He put a note in the clarinet that he really didn't care for the clarinet that much but he wanted the mouthpiece and how much did I want for it. I was a little miffed at the time but we worked it out. Sorry to hear of his passing.
jbutler
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Author: Avie
Date: 2003-12-24 00:43
Because my Dad played the clarinet and taught me we were always right by the t.v. when Lawrance Welk would anounce Henry Cuesta to play a solo on his clarinet. Its was amazing to me how great he was. A great clarinet player as he was is a rare talent. It was said that Lavrence Welk had strict rules when choosing only the best musicians to perform on his show. According to the posts of those who had the opportunity to know him it seems he was as good a person as he appeared to be on T.V. Im sorry to hear about his passing.
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Author: Tim2
Date: 2003-12-24 02:44
Ditto to avumba and everyone else.
As a teenager, my sister and I always listened to not only Henry but all the singers and instrumentalists on Lawrence Welk because they all had such good sound. Good musicians all of them, they were.
I always marveled at how smooooooooth Henry Cuesta could make a glissando through the whole clarion register. He had such control of his sound. He will be missed but not forgotten here.
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Author: Clarence
Date: 2003-12-24 02:55
The local Public Broadcasting Station in Dallas/Fort Worth, KERA, ran the 1981 Lawrence Welk Christmas Special last sunday.
I was flipping through the TV channels and landed on the show in progress. No playing, just each band member introducing each of their family. I watched as Henry appeared and introduced his family. He was all smiles.
I had never seen or heard Henry play but I have listened to LW in the 60's and heard featured clarinet players. He will be missed.
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