Artist Description
Artist Description
Availablity: National and International Bookings, Jazz Comcerts, Jazz Workshops, Weddings, Private Parties and more.
The Now and Then Trio is an established jazz group featuring three outstanding musicians that performed for over five years at the Williamsburg Inn in Williamsburg, Virginia. In addition to playing for other special events, the group traveled to Guyana, South America in 1998 and presented concerts, club dates and workshops throughout the country.
The members of the trio are recognized as three of the most outstanding musicians in the Tidewater and Hampton Roads Area and the have and do perform with various groups when not performing as the Now and Then Trio. There repertory includes music from a wide spectrum and styles. There first sold out cassette release titled "GOOD STUFF" was a good indication of the easy listening type of music they specialize in. There last cod titled "LIVE AT THE INN" was also a hot seller.
The members of the Trio are Robert E.(Bob) Ransom, Vibes, Trumpet, Cornet and Flugelhorn, James (Flip) Hoopes, Guitar and Eddie Edwards, String Bass.
Robert E. (Bob) Ransom, Trumpet, recently retired from Hamptom University as an Assistant Professor of music after 22 years. He received the B.A. in music at Hampton Institute (University), and the M.M. from Norfolk State University. Additional studies were pursued at Peabody Conservatory of Music. Bob also spent 20 plus years as an Air Force Bandsman, retiring in 1975.
Serving often as a clinician and soloist, Bob has performed with Mel Torme and the big band of Thad Jones & Mel Lewis. Other artist include Roy Brooks, Tony Martin, Eartha Kitt, Tavaraus, The Spinners, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Mitzi Gaynor, The O.J?s, Nancy Wilson, Gladys Knight and Natalie Cole. Bob is a member of the Great American Music Ensemble, The Roy Muth Jazz Band, the Now and Then Trio and a retired member of the Virginia Symphony. He is listed in Who?s Who in Entertainment (1998-90) and is a past President of the Virginia Chapter of the International Association of Jazz Educators.
James D. (Flip) Hoopes: Guitarist, began his musical career with the United States Air Force Military Airlift Command Band at Scott AFB, Illinois, in November 1961. He performed with the seventy piece concert band as well as an eighteen piece jazz show band and various smaller ensembles. Later Chief Master Sergeant Hoopes became leader/conductor of the jazz show band and performed throughout the United States and other countries for high ranking dignitaries including President, Ford, Kennedy and Nixon. He has also worked with prominent entertainers such as, Andy Williams, Bob Hope, Vic Damone, and Sarah Vaughn.
Since retiring from the Air Force in 1978, Flip has been performing in night clubs, restaurants and concert halls with such artists as Nancy Wilson, Patti Page, Tony Martin, and many others. He is often invited to perform at jazz festivals and special events. currently, Flip is part of the popular Now and Then trio, as well as the Connie Parker Quartet. The Now and Then trio has become a popular attraction at the Sunday brunch, every Sunday at the Prestigious Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg, Virginia.
Flip is now considering going back to teaching intermediate and advanced guitar Students, while continuing to perform with various jazz groups.
Eddie Edwards: Recognizing his talent, in 1957 he entered the All Army Vocalist Competition and won first place in all the preliminaries in the Caribbean Command, Panama Canal Zone. The Finals were held in Fort Dix, New Jersey, there he won once more to claim first place in the final All Army Vocalist competition. His reward was an invitation to appear on the Ed Sullivan Television Show and perform with the Ray Block Studio Orchestra and visit the Count Basie Studio. Eddie has been performing professionally on the String Bass since 1958. He taught himself how to play the String Bass to accompany his singing. In 1963 he was assigned to Fort Knox Kentucky. There he performed with different groups but remembered a wonderful musical experience with Bob James at the Art Center in Louisville, Kentucky. In 1964 he was assigned to Fort Sill Oklahoma. CWO4 Gorden Walliman, Band Master of the 97th Army Band, heard him perform on the String Bass and made him an offer he could not refuse: ?If he could learn the Major Scales, the arpeggios, the1st and 2nd inversions in all twelve keys on the tuba in three weeks and learn the National Anthem, orders would be cut to transfer him into the 97th Army Band?. Once more his talent and his ability to use it was challenged, so he had to step up to the plate and hit a home run, and he would always remember this gentleman as long as he live. Mr. Walliman was also responsible for Eddie?s acceptance into the Naval Academy School of Music, where he graduated with a major in Tuba and a minor in String Bass. After graduation Eddie was assigned to the 55th Army Band at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama where her played Tuba in the Marching Band and Concert Band. He played String Bass in the Jazz Band, Dance Band and Jazz Combos. In 1971 Eddie retired from the United State?s Army and moved to Atlanta Ga. His first gig was with the Larry Mack?s Duo. He played Bass with him for about nine months, then formed his own Trio and became the house Band at Pasco?s Lacarossel. Freddy Cole came by the club one night and asked him if he would like to join his group, he felt like that was a great honor and opportunity, so he became a member of the Freddy Cole Trio and performed in night clubs and concerts across the country and in cities all over the world as well as recorded several albums during their fourteen year relationship. Eddie have performed with great musician such as Jimmy Dorsey, Chat Baker, Dexter Gordon, Johnny Cash, Gene Autry, Dekoda Staton, Ike Cole, Bob James, John Dulik, Marty Schwartz, to name but a few. He continued to perform professionally while pursuing a degree in Music Education. During this time he received numerous honors and awards such as, the "Delta Cup for Excellence" and he was identified in "Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities". He joined the Connie Parker Quartet in 1991 and in 1993 began a career as an Instructor and Consultant on String Bass for Hampton University. He is presently teaching at the College of William and Mary. He is also performing at the Williamsburg Inn with the Now&Then Trio, He has been a member of this great Trio for more than five years. He also performs with other musicians at the Tides Inn, in Irvington, Va. Have Bass will play, have voice will sing.
Tommy Newsom: was born in Portsmouth VA, on February 5, 1929, Started piano lessons at age eight. Became self taught on sax at age nine. He subsequently had lessons with Jimmy Cantwell, a cornet player. By age 10 he had started his first attempts at arranging. Tommy was playing with local bands by the time he was thirteen and by fourteen had joined the A.F.M. (American Federation of musicians). After high school he attended O.D.U. ? then called the Norfolk Division of Wm & Mary. From there he went to the Peabody Conservatory in 1948 and earned his Bachelor?s Degree by 1952.
In 1952 he joined the United States Air Force and became a member of the Airmen of Note from 1953 to 1956. After his discharge he went to New York and earned his Master?s Degree in Music Education. Freelanced in New York and among many, played with Les Elgart, Skitch Henderson, Vincent Lopez and Benny Goodman. In between gigs he played countless weddings, Bar Mitzvahs as well as many recordings and Jingles. Tommy sold his first arrangement in 1957 to Woody Herman. This was followed up with arrangements for recordings for Charlie Byrd, Buck Clayton, Billy Butterfield, Woody Herman, Skitch Henderson, Benny Goodman and Andre Kostelanetz.
In 1962 he went on the famous tour of U.S.S.R. with Benny Goodman. This led to the N.B.C. Staff Orchestra where he played in the Merv Griffin Band. He then joined Johnny Carson?s Tonight Show Band. While there he continued to write arrangements for Skitch Henderson , Milton de Lugg, Doc Severinsen and other artists ranging from Beverly Sills to Steve Martin. He became Assistant Conductor in 1968 when Doc Severinsen took over. The gravy train lasted until May 22, 1992. What a ride! Since then there have been recordings, Louie Bellson, Ruby Braff, Jane Jarvis and several others, as well as his own recordings on Disc and Laserlight. There have also been several writing engagements for the Cincinnati Pops and Doc. Severinsen?s pops symphonies. Among his many awards have been the Clio Award for the American Air Line commercial, two Emmys and a Grammy.
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