Notice the French Horn section in the left rear of the photograph. These were the days of Mr. Mannino’s interest in American-interpreted Latin Jazz arrangements for the Stan Kenton band written by arrangers Bill Holman and Johnny Richards.  For the three graduating years, 1971, 1972, and 1973, Mr. Mannino had the Stage Band play a selection of such arrangements at the annual Loyola University Stage Band competition for New Orleans area High School Stage Bands. In 1971, the group played “Malaguena” (by Bill Holman on “Adventures In Jazz”). In 1972, the group played “La Suerte de los Tontos” (by Johnny Richards on “Cuban Fire”). And in 1973, the group played “Malaga” (by Bill Holman on “Live at Brigham Young University”). In particular, I played the trumpet solo on “La Suerte de los Tontos”. When faced with the prospect of playing a solo on such a technical piece, I’m afraid I chickened out. Instead of devising my own solo, I borrowed Mr. Mannino’s “Cuban Fire” album, and learned the solo from that piece note-for-note. I remember the struggle of coming to that decision. For a straight-ahead blues passage, I could manage on my own. But this piece was technically demanding, and I just didn’t have the experience as did other well-seasoned players like Richie Franz, to be able to come up with a solo on my own. All I can say is, that I did my best. I’m sure if I come across a recording of that event, I would it would reveal my struggle to mimic a solo recorded by a well-known trumpet professional, and force my to cower from embarrassment. But, it is what it was, and when the moment came to stand up and do it, I just did the best I could at the time.

Many years later, in the 1980’s I went to visit Mr. Mannino, and we had a good talk about the old days and music we played back then. I asked to borrow the old Cuban Fire album to transfer the music to another format. Well, I never did so, since soon after most of this old music became available on CD. I never did make it back to return the album before Mr. Mannino passed away. Below is an image of the Cuban Fire album that I borrowed from Mr. Mannino, the very same album that I took home in 1971-72 to learn the trumpet solo on ” La Suerte de los Tontos”. It must have been one of Mr. Mannino’s favorites, due to the wear from use that is apparent from the masking tape along the jacket, placed there to keep the jacket from coming apart.