The Old Rugged Cross - Cornet Solo 

My dad. His sound was so beautiful. Thank you for making these videos.

Being Tom's older brother,I watched him develop from a 7 y.o. with an old horn to the musician he became. Being a very sensitive person it was manifest in the way he played his beloved cornet. I know how hard he practiced to become the player he was. I weep every time I have replayed this recording. God blessed you Tom, Ps 23:3.

Pure sound of cornet

Tom Gabrielsen, my childhood friend, used a breathing technique that is exceptional among cornet players, therefore the continued organic response in his music. Fortunately, he attended Lane Tech High School in Chicago when my brother, Ingemar Ekstrom, was an upper classmate. Immediately upon Tom Gabrielsen's matriculation, my brother introduced him to the Lane Tech band director. In minutes after an audition, Tom became first chair cornet, a position he enjoyed throughout high school.

Thanks, Ralph. Tom is a wonderful musician and a great friend for many years.

Family & Friends, Appropriate music for this time I think; Tom & I were fellow Chicago Staffbandsmen (I playing euphonium) at the time. When we made this one-take recording -- a sort-of "afterthought" in order to fill out 'Side Two' of a "33 RPM LongPlay record" -- I had no idea that even now, 42 years later, it would be, for all of its plaintive simplicity, the one track that most demonstrated sincere musicianship as much as any I've ever heard. Thought you might be blessed by it. dm

Ken, thank you for the post. The Gabrielsen's were friends of our family through the years.