Up Close and Personal with Jazz -- BOB DUMON

"Music speaks to me," says Bob Dumon, leader of the Harbour Jazz band. Since he was a preteen, he's been devoted to exploring the rhythms and harmonies of modern jazz. "Stan Getz, Dave Brubaker, Stan Kenton, Miles Davis -- they were masters at making music express an entire range of emotions from serenity to sadness to passion. When I give myself up to their music, I can really feel what they were trying to express."

Whether he's belting out music on the trumpet, cornet or fluglehorn, Bob has a good time. He paid for his college education by playing professionally. Now he plays to relax and unwind and to entertain friends. He tells aspiring musicians, "Play all types of instruments until you settle on the one that calls out to you. You can experiment with many kinds of music, but when you discover that one sound that makes you really feel the music, deep in your gut, you'll know you've found your calling. Stick with it. Mess around with techniques and don't be afraid to hit the klinkers or make mistakes. Playing music in your own way is how you'll become great -- it's how you'll find your own passion, just like the masters of jazz."