Gladstone Trott has lived a life rich filled with music from birth.
Gladstone A.R. Trott is the second of three children born to Mavis E.G.
Trott and the late Charles L.R. Trott .He was born on May 26th, 1957
at Brooklyn Jewish Hospital.
Shortly after Gladstone’s birth, the family moved to Asbury Park, N.J.,
to be close to Gladstone’s maternal grandmother. Lilla Mae Gayle, settled
in New Jersey after leaving Jamaica as a young lady. Lilla, who loved music,
transported the family’s piano with her from Jamaica years earlier. That
old black upright was played by the whole family, and this was the first instrument
young Gladstone knew. Gladstone’s mother gave him lessons on that very
same piano several years later. Soon realizing that her child was gifted, Mrs.
Trott sought a greater level of instruction for Gladstone.
Gladstone began formal piano lessons at the age of six. His new teacher, Mrs.
Elizabeth Yeager Bell, thought him a little too young to begin formal training.
However, after seeing the child’s eagerness, the lessons began. Mrs. Bell
would introduce Gladstone to a more technical aspect of the piano as well as
the Organ.
After Mrs. Bells’ retirement, Gladstone studied with many fine teachers,
including Mrs. Helen Scott, and Mr. Frank Zavaglia of Tusting Music store in
Asbury Park. Gladstone was exposed to various types of music; from classical
to jazz, spirituals to the blues. By now he not only read music, but also possessed
the ability to “play by ear”.
At the age of ten, Gladstone performed his first recital at Bethel A.M.E. Church
in Asbury Park. The music was deeply ingrained in his soul, and Gladstone would
go on to give numerous other performances, traveling as far as Washington D.C.
and Hamilton, Bermuda. At the age of thirteen, was offered the position of organist
of St. Augustine Episcopal Church in Asbury Park.
During his early teens, Gladstone entered the national Yamaha Organ Competitions,
advancing to the regional level twice. He also began to branch out and play other
instruments. Under the tutelage of Mr. Carl Crudup, John Milici, and Mr. Dorian
Parreott, Gladstone played the clarinet, flute, saxophone, and trumpet in his
school bands. By high school, he had discovered that he was also blessed with
a beautiful voice. In high school, Gladstone was selected as a member of the
All Shore Chorus, All Shore Band, and All Shore Jazz band.
After graduating high school, Gladstone matriculated at Trenton State College
Gladstone has enjoyed playing with numerous jazz bands, including Lakewood Jazz
Ensemble, Sandy Sasso , Claudio Roditi , Bob Mintzer, Butch Miles, as well as
his own band, Simple Life. In addition to playing in New York and at the Jersey
Shore, he has also recorded with several of these and other artists.
In the spring of 1981, Gladstone meets the love of his life, Margaret Fydrych.
The young couple, who met thru mutual friends, married in May1990. They’ve
been blessed with a wonderful, thoughtful son, Charles Trott, also know as Chazz.
Gladstone continues to enjoy conducting The Downtown Glee Club in New York City.
Through this association he was invited to conduct a segment of Handel’s
Messiah in Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center. As a conductor Gladstone has
been able to spread his love of music throughout the tri-state area. From the
Count Basie Theater in Red Bank, where he conducted the orchestra for the Bob
Newhart Show, to the choir at the Trinity Cathedral in Trenton, where he has
conducted for the Service of Witness.
Gladstone’s gift for and love of music has been his constant companion,
and a constant joy to those who know and love him. |
