Friday, October 30, 2020
Mr. Di Fluri was the band teacher at East Orange High School. He had the marching band practice on maneuvers to perform during half time at Football games. One maneuver involved having the Band form a circle (wheel) with spokes. Then after some practice the wheel and spokes would turn while playing. It was a very impressive maneuver done for the first time at the Barringer - East Orange Football game that was played on Thanksgiving day, a tradition that was a rivalry for at least 100 years. Mr. D. put out a call for someone to volunteer to learn the string bass, because the Dance Band we had, at that time, didn't have one. Since I had played the violin for 10 years, I volunteered and, at lunchtime, for several weeks, he taught me to master the string bass and I played it with the school Dance Band. The bass was a school instrument that, on his recommendation, I carried home and played, by ear, to big bands that were on the radio at that time. It really is a beautiful instrument. Now I sing bass in a Barbershop Quartet and Chorus and the training I had back then has proven to be invaluable. After High School. as a student at Rutgers, I was able to recommend the Buddy Dee Band for a party we had at my fraternity House. His Band did a wonderful job with Buddy leading the Band on the microphone. He even supplied some stand up comedy. His trombone playing was as good as Tommy Dorsey. His willingness to tackle complex projects, and his "can do" attitude had an influence on his students as he impacted us in many positive ways. Rest in Peace, Buddy, you will not be forgotten.
Stan Muller
