Page 5 - Memories of the Maestro 9.11.21

Jazz Band Director shares

last day of class in 1977

members of the group so they can hear the blast from the past

A trip to the Casino

Though he’s taught many other students, the 1977 class holds a special spot in Johnson’s heart—which is why he’s
trying to locate them and it all started with a trip to Ilani.

Tim Zieman, 61, was enjoying a night out there earlier this year, watching the Major League Baseball World
Series when he started talking to someone else in the suite. They shared names of teachers and talked about other
events. “I got to one more teacher. I said, ‘Do you know Ray Johnson?’ I said I was in a band and probably of all the
teachers, he’s been the biggest influence on my life—as he is with a lot of our classmates,” Zieman said.

“He smiles, he says, ‘Yeah, he’s married to my sister,’” Zieman said. Zieman shared his phone number. Zieman and
Johnson reconnected and Johnson shared the 1977 recording.
“I had forgotten we did that,” Zieman said. “We were one of the best bands to come out of this area. Not just saying
that because it’s me, but because the talent that was there was incredible.”

Though Zieman stuck around the area—he lives in Washougal—he didn’t stick with music; he’s a construction
contractor. Nonetheless Zieman started working with Johnson to find the other students.

One includes Dr. Rob Murray, 62, a professor of trumpet at Columbus State University in Georgia.
“(Johnson) had a huge influence on me in high school. He would give me private lessons; he introduced me to a lot of
great material and studies,” Murray said. “It inspired me.”

In fact, Murray wasn’t going to pursue music initially after graduating high school and heading to college. He
considered medical school. “I’ll never forget it. I got to the spring quarter, I sat down with my adviser and was
looking at next year’s schedule. My adviser told me all the music stuff has got to go because it’s not going to fit into
the schedule,” Murray said. “It gave me a real pause. It probably took me the rest of the quarter to make a decision. I
haven’t regretted it one bit.”

Anthony Hawkins, 62, was also a trumpet player. But after high school, he joined
the Army. Now he lives in Maryland and works for the federal government. He
was delighted to hear from Johnson.

“I thought it was a great idea,” Hawkins said. “I think he got us a lot more curious
about each other.” Hawkins said he has passed Johnson’s teachings onto his own
children. His son is now a music teacher in Texas.
“I’ve always taught them to be a part of something bigger than them,” Hawkins
said. “The band, for example—to have a common cause or purpose. And learning
how to respect how your actions or inactions can impact the success of that bigger
thing, such as in the case of a band.”
“(Johnson is) so under appreciated,” Zieman said. “But not by anybody who was
in band with him.”
“The feedback makes it all worthwhile,” Johnson said. “I’m giving them
something and they’re giving it back.”

This article appeared in the December 27th edition of The Columbian—editorial license taken for form, not content