Ralph Bigelow deserves credit

Re “Music on a sliding scale,” Column One, April 3

I regret that your excellent article on Bones West failed to credit Ralph Bigelow, who led the group for about 20 years until his death about five years ago. Also an Eastman School of Music graduate, he laid his horn aside to pursue a career in university administration with the California State University system.

He directed the Saturday morning practices at Orange Coast College, persuaded talented arrangers to develop special arrangements for the trombone, hauled all that sheet music you mentioned around in the trunk of his car, attracted more than 70 regular trombonists at one point, recorded several CDs and was generally the glue that held the group together.

In many ways, today’s Bones West is his legacy.

CHARLES LINDAHL

Fullerton