Matt Cormier
Lead Trumpet
(Founding Member)

Matt came through one of the best high school bands in the state of Texas, that of Baytown Sterling High School. In 1996, Matt auditioned for the All-Star Grammy Jazz Band and was named the lead trumpet chair. Dr. Ken Dye of Rice University (now at Notre Dame) was director of that elite group. Also in 1996, Matt received the coveted John Philip Sousa Outstanding Musician award, an honor bestowed upon only the best high school musicians from across the United States.

While a student at Lamar University, Matt was principal cornet with the Wind Ensemble, performing at TMEA with Dr. Barry Johnson in his final appearance on a college band podium. The LU pep band would get a reputation for sounding more like a big band than a rah-rah band with Matt leading the trumpet section.

His high school director, Dennis Eichler, recruited Matt for his Baytown Big Band when they were scheduled for an appearance in Mexico near Cancun not so many years ago. Matt was playing lead in the Lamar University Jazz Band ‘A’ at the time, and already becoming known as “that high note guy.”

Matt Cormier is manager of Beaumont’s GAMES PEOPLE PLAY on College Street, and is married to his college sweetheart. https://www.gppgolf.com/

James Marshall
Second (Jazz Trumpet)
(Founding Member )

While James now calls Beaumont his home, he grew up and attended schools in Vidor, Texas. During his years at Lamar University, James performed at the highly respected ABA convention in Miami, Florida with the ‘A’ Band under the direction of Jimmy Simmons, with guest soloist that evening being the inimitable jazz legend James Moody.

While in college, James played local clubs and helped enhance the jazz scene with friends Chris Coleman and Bruce Thompson. They were sometimes featured on KVLU’s Sunday jazz radio show hosted by Bob Fox as well as playing around the area for all who would listen. James is a multi-talented individual. As a stalwart in the Dixieland band, Jimbo’s Dixie Revue, James can often be heard belting out the standard vocal repertoire made famous by Louie Armstrong. Come hear him on Tuesdays at MacKenzie’s Pub with the Ed Dix Quintet and you will find him not only playing some tasty jazz trumpet, but some conga’s or bongo’s as well.

James Marshall has extensive studio and road band experience. He may be heard on CD’s released by the Tropicats, Ravyn Dixon, Tony Dupuis, and a host of others as a studio musician for Ranch Records. http://www.ranchrecords.us/

James is in the flooring industry and is married with children.

Larry Shelton
Trumpet
(Founding Member of NDO)

Larry Shelton is another who got his musical training in the outstanding Vidor ISD band program. Larry has a number of varied interests, including spending time with his young son and riding dirt bikes (a longtime avocation). Larry was in Lamar’s top instrumental performing groups, and played lead trumpet in both the LU pep band and the ‘A’ Band, all the while belting out high notes on the football field with the 250 piece Big Red Marching Band directed by Barry Johnson and Wayne Dyess. Larry also served as utility trumpet with the Symphony of Southeast Texas for 10 years.

Interestingly, when MCA recording artist Tracy Bryd had a hit record that featured trumpet (unusual in the country market!), Tracy called upon the talents of AFL-CIO Musician’s Union trumpet player Larry Shelton. Playing one tune on nationwide tours, however, was not meant to be. NDO vocalist Britt Godwin, at that time Tracy’s lead guitarist, taught Larry how to play acoustic guitar.

Here is an item of interest, and we’ll just quote Larry’s own words:

“I was told during the stage set up before we went on the Grand Ole Opry for my first time that I was the first trumpet player allowed on the Opry in over 40 years. Apparently, the Opry said sometime in the 60's that trumpets were not "country" instruments and would not allow them on stage. I was the first one allowed back. In the 60's, Bob Wills, Johnny Cash, and Marty Robbins regularly used trumpets. I'm not sure who it was, but if I remember correctly, Marty Robbins showed up with trumpets and was told he couldn't use them, so he walked out that night and didn't play. So, that is my claim to fame - the first trumpet player allowed back on the Opry in almost 50 years! I was told this by some of the Opry staff. Nothing like putting a little pressure on yourself!!! Must have done Ok, because I have seen other trumpet players on the Opry since I last played there.”

Many nationwide tours later, Larry has now made his way back into the big band world with NDO, but can still be seen on a country stage from time to time, most notably the Charlie Pruitt Country Music Show, playing that acoustic guitar and pickin’ and grinin’.

Larry is a Texas Insurance Adjuster and has earned his keep following the 2005 Gulfcoast hurricanes, Katrina and Rita. He maintains his Musician’s Union affiliation and is a freelance player on both guitar and trumpet.

Gail Labath
Trumpet
(Member since October 2005)

Gail Labath is a graduate of Nederland High School and former jazz student of the NDO's leader, Wayne Dyess. Gail was featured playing flugelhorn on a unique album released by the then National Association of Jazz Educators (now IAJE). The album was called “Project Two” and featured 8 outstanding high school jazz bands which were selected to appear on the LP by a panel of respected jazz giants, including Dr. Gene Hall (the first President and a founding member of the NAJE). That recorded selection was “Ambience”, written by NPR’s Marian McPartland.

Gail played lead trumpet and flugelhorn in marching and jazz bands while at Nederland High School and Lamar University. She attended Lamar University full time while working full time and raising a family, and earned a BBA in Management Information Systems. She has played for 26+ years in area churches, and currently plays weekly for Calvary Baptist Church in Beaumont.

She has been employed for 26+ years with Total Petrochemicals USA, Inc. and is their Human Resources and Training Supervisor. Gail comes from a family of brass musicians, and holidays always consist of good food, everyone talking at once, and a jam session at some point. She is the mother of three children who share a love of music and play various instruments. Gail and her husband Bert enjoy living in the woods on 12 acres in Lumberton.

George Hernandez
Utility Trumpet
(Member since May 2006)

Utility trumpet might be the term used to describe someone who can play any part when needed. That sums up what George Hernandez brings to the NDO. George grew up in Beaumont, Texas and graduated from Lamar University. He was on a band scholarship and played in all the top ensembles, including a stint as LU’s ‘A’ Band lead trumpet. But before that George had also held down the 4th part, and “played with distinction when asked to take over the jazz chair for a year or two,” says Lamar’s jazz band director Wayne Dyess.

George is just the kind of member the NDO is looking for. He is dedicated, eager to play and serve, and dependable. Like most newer players on the band, George started out as a “sub” whenever a regular trumpet player had to miss a rehearsal or a gig. It was easy to see from the get-go that George wanted to play. And play he does …any part we need!

COPYRIGHT ©2006 by Night & Day Orchestra, Beaumont, TX


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