Biography

from Arnold Jacobs: Song and Wind*

Bass trombonist Edward Kleinhammer was born in Chicago in 1919, and at first played the violin. At age fourteen, in high school, he switched to the trombone. His teachers were CSO trombonists Edward Geffert and David Anderson. He was a member of the Civic Orchestra for two years starting in 1938, and played extra with the CSO.

In 1940, he was a member of Stokowski's All-American Youth Symphony during their tour of South America. That same year he auditioned for the Chicago Symphony and a short time later signed a contract. He remained with the CSO until June 1985, and has played for all CSO conductors except Theodore Thomas. He is the author of The Art of Trombone Playing and Mastering the Trombone.

Before Jacobs' arrival in the CSO, Kleinhammer had heard about him by his reputation. When Jacobs joined the CSO, Kleinhammer was in the Army (1942-45) and Elmer Janes had moved from assistant principal to bass trombone. It was after Kleinhammer's return to the orchestra that he met Jacobs for the first time.

Until Kleinhammer's retirement in 1985, he and Jacobs sat next to each other. Only on rare occurrences did the two of them work out parts. Kleinhammer once told Gizella Jacobs that the relationship between himself and Jacobs was, "Almost like being married." Jacobs stated, "They say that gradually a husband and wife learn how each other thinks and you practically become one. It's the same thing in the orchestral group. Without ever saying anything, we breathe together, and play the same length of phrase. We've played together so much, the communication does not need words. We hear each other all the time."

According to Jacobs, "I had an ideal mate with Ed Kleinhammer. We never had a crossed word in all those years we played together. We didn't even have to talk about a part. It was as if each one of us knew what the other would do without saying a word. I could not ask for a nicer partner for all those years, believe me.

"The only time he ever took time off was when his [first] wife, Dorothy, passed away. He took one tour off and sent a substitute. Otherwise, he was there, always early, practiced and prepared his parts, and enjoyed himself. He has been a friend all these years."

Kleinhammer writes about Jacobs, "Arnold Jacobs, my friend and colleague for more than forty years, has ennobled and raised the spirit of all with whom he comes into contact. A world-class artist and tuba player, a kind and sympathetic person, it was my inherent great fortune to be his partner in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

"Arnold would awe and humble one with his musicianship and 'Big Daddy' sound, be it a solo or an integral passage; he could make a 'concerto' out of a few notes. Between us a few words of suggestion were always welcome, and many are the helpful techniques I have learned from him. We had obscure signals between us that helped to keep us musically secure, and enjoyed a fine relationship. Likewise with many of his students--all carbon copies of Arnold's teachings. As a teacher he is world-acclaimed, and as a colleague and musician, I am thankful to God for Arnold Jacobs."

*Arnold Jacobs: Song and Wind. Copyright ©1996 by Brian Frederiksen. Printed in the United States of America. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means without permission in writing from the author.

From: International Trombone Association Honorary Life Members