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Laurie Frink

I can not actually remember the first time I met Laurie Frink, but when I first started a large ensemble and asked trumpet players who to hire for the Trumpet 4 book, she was on everybody’s list.  And rightly so. Only slowly did I get to know her, her sharp wit and steadfast musicianship.  At times it seemed like she was in every major big band in NYC. Later, I would hear about how she was the chops doctor/therapist for brass players of all kinds, from newbies to experienced veterans. Like most, I was and am still in disbelief that she is suddenly gone.

As a way to heal and remember, I started looking through our email exchanges over the last several years. Although they are mostly about gigs, I can still hear and see Laurie when I read through them which somehow gives me a little solace.  I’ve gathered her responses here in chronological order and wanted to share them so others could share in this memory of her dry wit and “no BS” directness!  I’m still shaken when this compilations ends so suddenly without any resolution.

With gratitude, John

 

all can work

Laurie 

 

Hi John

It looks like I will be out of town Nov 2-4 so rehearsing earlier would be better for me

Laurie

 

whoo hooooo!!  congrats!!

Laurie

 

Hey John

fun gig!!  sorry bout the $–I didn’t realize we were getting paid last nite.  Mail is cool—–thanks

Laurie

 

Hi John

2-5 nov 13–see you then—-yes, I’d like music

Laurie

 

not me

Laurie

 

I had a great time playing your music!!!!!  could you shoot me the address of the studio please.  also–do you have a cutoff time or is it open ended—–anythings cool with me —just curious

thanks

Laurie 

 

John

I am out of town so i can’t look at my passport.  I’ll be in town for a minute on tuesday and will let you know what it says for sure

(probably Laurie Ann Frink but I’m not positive about the middle name being there)

As far as flight requests, I don’t care about the meal (it all sucks) but I’ll need an aisle seat as I am a pacer with a bad back.

thanks

Laurie 

 

june 13–good

june 12–anytime

Laurie

 

ok

Laurie

 

either is fine for me

Laurie

 

ok

Laurie

 

fine

Laurie

 

confirmed

Laurie

 

same address

240 west 98th #7G NYC 10025

Laurie

 

sorry–i thought I had responded–i;m good

Laurie

 

Hi John,

I’m upstate and internet has been wacky—can’t determine whether my reply got sent to you or not—sorry if this is a repeat

everything is doable (if I could please have about 10 days notice if possible) except for the 20 and 21 from 5:30 on.

Laurie

 

I’m good

Laurie

 

anytime

Laurie

 

anytime

Laurie

 

I’m good

Laurie

 

just to clarify–is the rehearsal oct 12?

Laurie

 

thanks–i got confused

Laurie

 

Hi John–thanks for the offer below–how about my rent for the remainder of the year…haha

pay-$100 (if you have extra expenses that you would like me to cover, please let me know)

 

 

I’m good for everything and have no preferences for dates or leavetimes.

Laurie

 

Hi John

thats great!!  the main thing I have to offer is that the traffic getting across the bridge into Newport is a f*&^king NITEMARE!!!

I can’t emphasize this enough…….last year I played with 2 different bands and the ‘sound checks’ really didn’t happen……

Laurie

 

confirmed–it doesnt matter to me when we fly—one thing that does matter:

if its possible I’d like an aisle seat on the plane–i’m a restless traveler with bad knees and lower back issues—I like to get up a lot

thanks

Laurie

 

yep

Laurie

 

doesnt’ matter

Laurie

 

april 25 works–I can rehearse any day except  april 23

Laurie

 

I’d need to finish by 5:30–anytime before can work

Laurie

 

good for me

Laurie

 

im good

Laurie

 

Hi John

MSM has scheduled its trumpet entrance auditions on tuesday afternoon and as one of 3 trumpet faculty

I really need to be there for some of it at least so I’m sorry to say that I’ll be late to the soundcheck.

looking forward to the next several days.

Laurie

 

the auditions go til 6, but I figured I’d jump in a cab @ 4:30—so depending on traffic I should be there by 5.

I went to school at the University of Nebraska

Laurie

 

I’m up–standing , and awake—thanks –sorry to have to bother you with all of this……..

Laurie

 

cool

Laurie

 

cool

Laurie

 

I’m cool with this

Laurie

 

cool–sorry to be tardy

Laurie

 

cool—BTW is Newport on for aug 6 or 7??–sorry I’m such an airhead

Laurie

 

Hi John

I will be in Newport from aug 4 on…..sorry

Laurie

 

august 1  4:30 on

august 2 3 PM on

Laurie

 

John

Maybe everyone already knows this, but just in case—-getting across the Newport bridge can be a nitemare!!!!

Allow at least an extra hour….maybe even more

Laurie

 

Confirmed–I’ll need a parking permit

Laurie

 

I will be traveling with Lois–will she need a pass to get into the festival?

Laurie

 

I can also just flirt real heavy with the guard……

Laurie

 

Late afternoon on the 11th would work

Laurie

 

Hi John

I’m in Newport without nicks email address– could you please send it to me —

I need someone to translate the tickets– I can’t figure out leaving and arriving times— sorry to be so lame

Laurie

 

I will get myself to the airport tomorrow

Laurie

 

Confirmed— I will get myself to Newark tomorrow

Laurie

 

thanks john–already printed it…….

Laurie

 

Hi John

The folks you asked are exactly the ones I would have suggested.  Perhaps ask Kenny Wheeler??   I am disappointed to say that I’m going to be unable to do the KW gig…sorry.   I’ve had many inspiring times with him and was really looking forward to this gig.

Laurie

 

Re: pic from lisbon….how come I’m the only one looking at JC? (:

maybe you’re lost????

Laurie

 

good

Laurie

 

Hi John,

No problem. Thanks for the advance notice.

Happy new year!

Laurie

 

got it will be there with bells on

Laurie

 

ok for me

Laurie

 

cool

i also have in my book nov 28-dec 3–is this happening or did I forget to delete?

my mother didn’t like me

Laurie

 

Never have we doubled up

Laurie

 

 

either

Laurie

 

I am in the woods with no scanner or fax–here is a photo–

laurie frink photo

 

i’m ok–sorry–thought I’d answered

Laurie

 

How are we traveling to DC?

Laurie

 

yay!!! thanks

Laurie

 

I’m good–happy new year!!

Laurie

 

cool don’t care

Laurie

 

John,

I am very sorry to do this, but I’m not going to be able to do the tour this spring.

I will miss you all and especially playing the music, but I’m really getting jammed up.

Laurie

 

please let me know that you got my last email

Laurie