Roy Cummings' love of music taught and inspired many others

Roy Cummings, the University of Washington trumpet and jazz-studies instructor who in 30 years at the school led spirited jazz ensembles and taught saxophonist Kenny G, produced a unique resonance in Northwest music circles.

His personal and professional warmth enriched his performing and conducting. He became music director for the Seattle Seahawks in 1975 and played for many circuses and ice shows.

His knowledge of music and eagerness to share it also brought the joy of music-making to several generations of high-school and college music students and helped other music teachers.

Kenny G told The Seattle Times in 1989: "Roy once said to me, `If you want to be in the music business, you have to play the same lines every night and love it.' I've never forgotten that."

Mr. Cummings died of a heart attack Wednesday (Jan. 5) while walking down steps in the UW music building. He was 61. He had no history of heart problems, said his son Bryan Cummings of Shoreline.

"He affected people's lives on a variety of levels - intellectual, spiritual and creative," said Garfield High School Jazz Band director Clarence Acox, who knew Mr. Cummings for 28 years.

Mr. Cummings directed the Bellevue Jazz Festival All-Star Youth Band each year. He coached brass players for the Seattle Youth Symphony and Cascade Youth Symphony and directed the Imperials Jazz Ensemble I, which graced community parades and festivals.

"His death was a terrible shock for us, and we will miss him greatly as a colleague, teacher, performer and friend," said Robin McCabe, UW School of Music chairwoman.

Born in Wiley, Yakima County, he moved with his family to Tacoma and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1956. He sang in the school choir, played in the band and served as student-body president.

Later this month a new Lincoln performing-arts building will be dedicated to him and songwriter Joseph Zachariah Taylor Jordan.

Mr. Cummings earned bachelor's degrees in music and music education at the UW and played with various groups.

He played solo trumpet at the 1962 Seattle World's Fair. He played in the Seattle Symphony from 1962 to 1975.

His UW career began in 1970, when he became a trumpet instructor. He became director of the UW Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Band in 1975. He served as chairman of jazz studies from 1979 to 1993.

He got to know Kenny G - then Kenny Gorelick, accounting student - when Gorelick spent more time in the School of Music than in his business classes.

"He was a wonderful father but had a special relationship with his students and former students," said his son.

Also surviving are his wife, Judy of Seattle; son Bradley Cummings, Seattle; daughters Alina Wilson of Kenmore and Angela Cummings of Seattle; sister, Beverly Herstead of Tacoma; and three grandchildren.

Arrangements are being finalized.

Carole Beers' e-mail address is cbeers@seattletimes.co.