Reflections on Herb

 

“Herb was one of the most crucial teachers in my
entire life because of his commitment to help me
get through every obstacle....He’s invaluable. I
could not even consider the possibility of missing
this tribute.”

Abraham Laboriel, Sr.

“Dear Herb,
‘Make sure you have a good beginning and a
strong ending and have fun in the middle,” you
said. You taught me how to arrange my life. My
first big laugh in the U.S. happened on that bus
with you after backing up Tony Bennett in 1973.
Thank you for keeping me warm during my hard,
cold days. The word I learned from you, ‘Don’t
noodle.” Super Herb, my cup of tea.
Tiger Okoshi

 

  

“Great teacher. Great teacher.”
Joe Zawinul

“Herb can play what he teaches, and teach what
he plays. He has been my role model as a band-
leader and educator since I was 17.”

Gary Burton

“Much has been said, and will be said, about the

brilliance and innovation of Herb’s teaching, his

  
   
   
 

edication to his students, and so forth. But what

ep us laughing with that gentle, dry, left-
sense of humor. That happy eagerness to
un off to Herb’s classroom is one of my fondest
emories. The composing or arranging assign-
ment rarely passes without calling up something
that I learned from Herb, but the greatest tribute
that I know is how much fun and how exciting

he made it for his students.”

Rob Mounsey

“Herb Pomeroy is everything you would want in
an educator, colleague, and friend—encouraging,
understanding, and loyal. What more can I say.
The college will be relinquishing its most
valuable asset.”

John Repucci

 

 

“Herb was my arranging teacher. I learned a great
deal from him, especially writing a tutti. I was
writing before I came to Berklee, but wasn’t
much of a tutti writer. I also have a tremendous
respect for him, for his incredible capacity and
patience to rehearse a big band. Congratulations
on your great contribution to music, Herb. And
happy retirement.”

Toshiko Akiyoshi

“My Berklee days were full of joy and excitement
by Herb’s opening the door and letting me into
the new world of music. I can’t be like what I am

~ now without his lessons.”
 Sadao Watanabe

“The things that I learned from Herb are too
numerous to mention, and some are just not pos-
sible to talk about because they are about feel-
ings, not words. His tremendous knowledge and
great sense of humor made music something to be
enjoyed, savored, and explored. ‘If you hear a
melody and play it with conviction, it will work.’

‘Learn the scales so well that you can forget
them.” These kinds of ideas, along with his won-
derful encouragement and support, made being a
jazz musician a possibility. I'm still hopeful.
Thanks, Herb.”

John Abercrombie

“I’ve had my share of lucky breaks, but one of the
first and most long lasting was from being asked
to join the Herb Pomeroy Band back in 1961 as a
writer and trombonist. I could never have imag-
ined such an intense thrill and boost to my confi-
dence. This, together with having Herb as a

- teacher and mentor, gave me the strongest of
~ foundations upon which to build my career, and

his influence and friendship have been everlast-
ing. Herb, I love you very much, and am so very
grateful to have met you and known you these
many years.”

Michael Gibbs