Sammy McLean Ph.D.

My sincere condolences to Sammy McLean's family and his long-time companion Marilyn, at Sammy's passing last summer. I wish I had known earlier.

I knew Sammy only for about the last 10 years of his life, when we were both playing trumpet with Seattle Symphonic Band at North Seattle College. I was always impressed with his tenacity, endurance, and musicianship, even as he struggled more with health problems in later years.

I think Sammy told me that much of his music work as an Air Force bandsman in the 1950s was as a pianist. (I could be wrong, but I know he told me he played jazz piano, as well as trumpet.) I had the good fortune a couple of times to hear him banging out some tunes on the old piano in the green room behind the Concert Hall after SSB rehearsals. He could sure move around on the keys, even at his advanced age!

Sammy and I also had a couple of things in common. Both my parents were graduates of the University of Oklahoma, as was Sammy. My paternal grandfather was a prof at OU. And I was born in Norman, OK. Also, Sammy and I both received our Ph.D.'s from the University of Michigan -- but about 20 years apart!

Aside from Sammy's musicianship and dedication to playing his horn and contributing to music and life as long as he possibly could, I was always impressed with Sammy's quiet, kind and gentle nature.

Sammy will be missed by those of us who were fortunate enough to have known him and to be around him for at least awhile.