Ron Modell

Ron Modell (b. 1934) is a trumpeter who founded NIU Jazz Ensemble in 1969 and directed it for almost three decades. He became a professional musician at the age of 15, and just three years later joined the Tulsa Philharmonic Orchestra as a principal trumpeter in 1952. Modell also played nine seasons as a principal trumpeter of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. After retirement in May 1997, he went on an international tour of lectures and demonstrations for the United Musical Instrument Company. He visited colleges and high schools and often played as a soloist with the school's jazz band or symphonic ensemble. In 1998, Modell assembled a group that included nine alumni of the NIU Jazz Ensemble for Phil Collins' summer world tour. He also did some stand-up comedy in his later years, appearing regularly at McCurdy's Comedy Theatre in Sarasota. On July 2007, Modell played trumpet for the last time at his 38th consecutive Independence Day concert as soloist with the DeKalb Municipal Band (the musician was 72 y.o. at the time). He wrote a book of memoirs titled Loved Bein' Here With You, published with a foreword by Quincy Jones.