My buzz is good enough to actually enjoy the Heisman trophy ceremony show. Usually, I'd rather take a swift kick in the nutz than watch the Heisman, but there were few distractions at home and so I checked it out. Quick observations: Caleb nailed his speech. Gave all the right props and none better than noting that the other finalists are all in the playoff. It's fun seeing three Gators on the stage, two who were featured in the presentation. Also fun to see so many former greats. I'm glad Manziel is well enough to be there. Thought his rise/fall might be more volatile, so glad to see he's well. And now to the Langford reference, which only some will get. Watching tonight's ceremony, I couldn't help but notice how Steve Spurrier went out of his way to congratulate/celebrate each of the finalists, even the Bulldog kid. Not that SoS was more celebratory than any others, but noting the evolution from the early years of one's career in leadership to the late years. SoS was even outwardly supportive of a Dawg, because he loves the game enough and is mature enough to put rivalry aside. And this brings me back to the Gary Langford reference. Anybody who played in the Gator Band circa late 70s - 2000s or was a music major at UF during those decades is familiar with Gary. During his early years, Gary was a notorious hard ass. You don't cross GL. The same could be said of Spurrier (or most exceptional coaches) during his early years. I had the pleasure of learning from and working with GL early and later on in life and with that, observed a natural development from hard ass, to loving/supporting mentor who acknowledged the privilege of leadership. This is exactly what I've observed with SoS, who has always been a class act, but who has also smoothed out some of the edges and naturally become ultra chill. It was fun watching him congratulate all the finalists on their way to the stage tonight and reminded me of mine and many other's musical mentors at UF.
He told Dooley this year he doesn’t hate UT, loves the way they throw the ball and was pulling for them to beat UGa. Agree how he has gracefully matured into a really good man and credit his sweet wife and family too. He is the greatest Gator of all time. No one else is even close.
I was an English Lit major but I had the pleasure of taking a course called the History of Jazz with Gary Langford. I always knew I liked jazz because I love any music with horns, and he brought the music alive and helped me understand why I love the sound. One of the really cool things he did early on that semester…he had a jazz trio (piano, bass, and drums) recorded on cassette that he would play and then he’d introduce different horns by playing them live in class with the backing track. That blew me away. I loved the course and his teaching so much that it was one of very few A’s I earned at UF. Spurrier is an absolute treasure. It was so special watching his QB’s sling it all over the field and teams and ring up video game type stats every Saturday. He has indeed mellowed with age and become the ideal ambassador for the Florida Gators. There will never be another Steve Spurrier!
Thanks for sharing this. It's always great to hear the perspectives from those who did not march or play in jazz band. The jazz history course is one of the great ways the university shares music with non music majors. There are often a number of student athletes in the course. I'm glad to read that you had a positive experience with it.
The HBC may have "mellowed" a bit, but he still holds the record for most points scored against the poodles @ Sanford stadium in 1995 with 52!!!! Classic......
Langford also headed the college of music's jazz band, which played lights out in the years I followed them (early 70s). And I was always amazed at his longevity as director of the marching band. I pitied him, wearing his coat and tie in the blazing heat year after year.
Gary Langford was our next door neighbor off NW 34th St. in the early to mid 70's. Nice to see the tributes from several posters and jazz aficionados above. At the games I was always complaining that I didn't recognize his arrangements and you couldn't dance to them! Boo me.
Always enjoyed being around Gary and he kept a very fun, mellow tude in my opinion.....Wickes, not so much...lol
If you are posting this through the lens of football, I belive he would be second to Danny, whom is far more humble and I suspect, touched many more people in more dramatic and important ways than SOS, but then, I put Danny on the level of a modern Saint. And I'm not religious. So I'm biased, but I have seen some of Danny's work in action, both in NOLA and Niceville. But IMO "Football Player and Coach" hardly is worthy of such an accolade, in terms of occupation, as compared to thousands of other Gators, that make "service to others" the driving force of their lives. Police, Firemen, Healthcare Workers, Military and many other occupational levels, rank far higher, than sports player or coach, IMO. And I mean no disrespect. In fact, I bet SOS may be the first to agree.
I was a pretty good high school trumpet player and was attending Florida as a freshman in 1972. I was not a music major but wanted to play in the marching band so I had in audition scheduled during my orientation visit to the campus. I arrive to find out that Gary Langford was conducting my audition. I knew him by reputation because my high school jazz band played one of his arrangements. With my knees knocking I played my prepared solo and ran my scales. It was going well until he pulled out his trumpet, put up some sheet music, and asked me to sight read a duet with him. I thought I blew it because sight reading was not a strength of mine. I guess I did well enough with the prepared material because I landed in14th chair out of 40.
Yes, Victor Lopez and Chris Pratt were one and one a. By interesting coincidence Victor Lopez was guest artist at a jazz festival here in Casper Wyoming
How long ago was that? If you looked in the dictionary for a definition of chops there was a picture of Victor.
Whoa, I didn't know Victor Lopez went to UF, he has arranged a ton of great beginning jazz band charts.
