His sons as orchestra members

Vin DiBona · Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 5:02 pm Post subject: His sons as orchestra members

Does anyone know if his sons ever were in the orchestras which backed him up when Mendez recorded?
There certainly were some fine trumpet players on those albums, especially The Singing Trumpet.

trpt.hick · Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 7:59 pm Post subject:

No, they never played professionally except on the concerts featuring them with their dad. Most of Mendez' Decca recordings were accompanied by studio orchestras. His early Decca and Coast albums were recorded with friends he hired cheaply.

The boys never played in college, except some in the summers when they toured with Rafael. By the time they finished college, they put the horns away because Rafael was retiring.

DH

murph66 · Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2004 7:46 am Post subject:

If I'm not mistaken, both of his sons are highly respected physicians in California.
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trpt.hick · Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2004 7:59 am Post subject:

Yes. They became urologists right after college (Stanford and USC). They now own a large urological clinic in Los Angeles which catrers to many celebrities and even royalty from other countries. Ralph (Jr.) is also head of the USC Medical School.

They have been featured in several TV documentaries and various medical programs. They are also lecturers all over the world.

They have always claimed that their work ethic was from watching their father's endless pursuit of perfection.

2nd chair · Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2004 9:15 pm Post subject:

I was lucky enough to see Mendez and his sons do a concert in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada in about 1970.

I remember as they came on stage to play a trumpet trio, they were introduced by their dad. Mr Mendez introduced the sons by name and joked that this one was going to play the first part, and the other son was going to play the second part, and that he was going to struggle along with the third part!

I wished I knew what chart they played, it was a full of triple tonguing and so on. I don't think they were all that old at the time. I was quite impressed.

My Dad joked with me that the twins had a pretty good summer job, touring with their dad!
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bspickler · Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 4:58 pm Post subject:

I wonder if Sergio ever played trumpet with his dad or the twins or did he stick with acting?

Bill

_FELIX C · Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 7:23 am Post subject:

Here are the Twins today like organ transplant phisicians;
http://www.stvincentmedicalcenter.com/NR/rdonlyres/EB953B2F-E7B3-4900-BAF2-F45DE1A534AE/0/changing_lives.pdf
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Chris Brown · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 4:19 am Post subject: Leaders in their chosen field

Just read the twins biography’s on the St Vincent medical centre web site.
The twins are leaders in the field of human organ transplantation.
Their family and friends must be very proud of them.
I’m sure ‘The worlds greatest trumpet virtuoso’ is looking down from trumpeters heaven with pride.
I wonder if they still play, I’ve seen then perform on YOUTUBE with their Father. They were very professional.

Chris Brown.
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trpt.hick · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 7:57 am Post subject:

Chris,

The twins have not played a trumpet in over 25 years. They have not played in concert since 1965 or so.

Their father was very proud of them and bragged about them all the time.

DH