Neal Tidwell

THIS LONG LOST 1986 “NEW ORLEANS BRASS QUINTET PLAYS JAZZ” RECORDING THAT WAS RECOVERED IN NOVEMBER 2018 BY THE PRODUCER, ANTONIO J. GARCIA, IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF TUBA VIRTUOSO, NEAL TIDWELL (1945-2007 RIP)

Neal Tidwell was an extraordinarily gifted Tuba player that performed as the Principal Tubist with the New Orleans Symphony Orchestra for 23 years.  (1967-1990).  Not only was Neal expert on all aspects of classical music, he was also a highly skilled jazz tuba player.  During his time in New Orleans, Neal was in much demand as a Tuba player with some of New Orleans Dixieland Bands that worked in the French Quarter on Bourbon Street including the great Pete Fountain and Vocalist, Banu Gibson.   Besides having incredible technical and sight reading skills, Neal’s musical sense and phrasing were always impeccable.  And, his sense of rhythm and intonation were always flawless.  (Neal was born with Perfect Pitch.) 

Bob Amato met Neal Tidwell for the first time in early May, 1982 on a beautiful Sunday afternoon at the at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.  They were both engaged to perform with the 20 Piece Jimmy Ille Ragtime Orchestra.  Bob and Neal continued to perform together with the Jimmy Ille Ragtime Orchestra at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival through 1989.  Bob and Neal performed at least 40 dates with either the 20 Piece Jimmy Ille Ragtime Orchestra or the 8 Piece Jimmy Ille Ragtime Band at the 1984 New Orleans World Fair.  In 1984, Bob and Neal also performed together at the first French Quarter Festival.  They both were hired to perform with the Jimmy Ille Ragtime Orchestra on the main music stage at Jackson Square in the heart of the French Quarter.  Bob and Neal continued to perform together at the French Quarter Festival with the Jimmy Ille Ragtime Orchestra through 1989.

Bob approached Neal in late 1985 about putting together the New Orleans Brass Quintet with the focus on performing a Jazz oriented repertoire that would be scored by top notch musical arrangers.   Neal was immediately enthusiastic and was anxious to begin.  And, Neal also referred Bob to Jack “Mr. Fabulous” Gardner the long time Principal French Horn Player with the New Orleans Symphony.   Neal also referred Bob to Mike Genevay, who was the long time Trombone Player with the Pete Fountain Band.

Neal Tidwell was an absolute pleasure to work with.  Neal was always punctual and had a great sense of humor as well.  Neal was a Virtuoso Tuba player in every sense of the word.

Unfortunetely, Bob lost track of Neal when Neal moved to the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area in 1990 and was deeply saddened to learn in 2018 that Neal passed away in 2007.

For more about Neal Tidwell, see his Obituary in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.