Comments on: Jazz Professor George West passes away

By: C.T. Bailey

C.T. Bailey — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 15:17:41 +0000

I also played under “Doc West” at Madison (College at the time) from 70-73. I thought I was learning jazz – turned out he was teaching me about life. Being probably the least talented musician in the ensemble,I received alot of “individual attention” from George. His instruction, more than anyone else, prepared and motivated me to join the U.S. Air Force Band.

By: Stuart McLean

Stuart McLean — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 18:43:46 +0000

I was fortunate to be one of George’s (“Doc West”) students at James Madison University from 1978-1983. My applied music lessons were as much about life as they were about trombone playing. I recall a discussion we had early in my student career at JMU where Doc told me that, “If you want to be in the Chicago Symphony, you’re at the wrong school with the wrong teacher, but I can teach you how to make a living as a musician.” He was true to his word. By teaching me to sightread and play many genres of music (not orchestral excerpts for trombone), he prepared me for my future career as a trombonist in the U.S. Navy Band in Washington, DC.

Doc wasn’t for everybody, but he was for me!

God bless you all,
Stuart McLean

By: Mrs M Podell

Mrs M Podell — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 18:38:17 +0000

What a legacy Doc West has left behind. As a parent of a Stetson Jazz musician I had the opportunity to capture his essence at one of his last performances last year. It was a wonderful experience one that I will always remember. May he rest in peace.