Some believe Wynton's unpopularity is because the first time anyone ever heard of him, he was highly opinionated in his interviews. The other reason is one that is widely told, but I will repeat it for those of you that are new to the story. Feel honored you are hearing the account first-hand.

I was heading in the door to the music building at Indiana University School of Music to see Mr. Adam for a trumpet lesson and Wynton is walking behind me. Wynton is there for a jazz lesson with David Baker, the one you saw detailed in that ITG issue. Not knowing who he was and being the gentleman I always am, when I hear footsteps approaching, I stop to hold the door open for people. I know too well what it is like to have those glass doors (see photo above) crash against your trumpet case. My old world manners seem to follow me no matter where I am.

As I hold the door open behind me, he rushes right in front of me, cutting me off, and makes a dash to the elevator. Doesn't say a word to me either. I say in the most polite voice, "You're welcome," but he doesn't say anything to me. Pretends like I'm not there. The elevator is really slow, must be on the third floor loading up with tuba players, so he heads for the stairs. Again, a little more loudly, but still polite I say, "You're welcome!" He just leaves without acknowledgement.

Now I'm annoyed. So I follow him up the two flights of stairs to Baker's studio shouting as loud as I can, "You're welcome! YOU'RE WELCOME!!!". Still no reaction. I continue to do this as he goes up to Baker's studio as he walks down the hall while he is ignoring me the whole time. Lucky for him, the halls were pretty empty, otherwise I am sure there would have been a line formed of people screaming, "YOU'RE WELCOME!" at him too.

I notice that I must be having some effect on him as he is starting to walk a little faster till he reaches David Baker's studio. He knocks on the door and Baker opens it. At this point it was very surreal and I am locked into a trance of screaming "YOU'RE WELCOME" repeatedly.

David Baker, not knowing what has taken place, looks at me oddly and after greeting Wynton he says, "Roth, What in the world are you screaming about?" this breaks my chant of shouting "You're Welcome." I explain the whole thing to Baker while Wynton is looking at me and he cuts me off with saying, "I have no idea what this guy is talking about." I say that in that case you aren't getting a lesson with Baker here until you thank me for holding the door for you. Wynton says, "no way" and as Baker says goodbye to me very seriously, he starts to close the studio door.

I can't let this happen, so I push myself in the door and grab a hold of Wynton. Baker pushes me away. Baker leaps towards the phone and starts to call campus security, in doing so knocks Wynton and me to the floor. Baker is on the phone calling for help and I'm shouting ,"YOU'RE WELCOME!!!". Wynton starts to get a way and I grab ahold of his leg and I start pulling and pulling...just like I'm pulling yours now!

:-)