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Chuck Lirette's job is to play trumpet in the Pittsburgh Symphony, but this is only one of many diverse activities which fill his life. When he's not playing he's apt to be taking photographs, on stage, backstage, at lunch, on tour. His PSO web postings are evidence of his imagination and expertise with a camera. And when it's not photography it's food. Chuck is an excellent cook, especially in the dessert area (though you'd never know it from his build!) He makes dynamite, glorious cheesecakes. And if one ever wants to know where to dine, Chuck Lirette is the person to ask - he knows all the really good places.
Chuck's imagination in photography and cooking extends into mechanical projects. He loves cars and home improvement projects, but has embarked on some engineering flights of fancy approaching Rube Goldbergian proportions. I heard of one legendary project which involved turning the base of a kitchen blender into a garden leaf blower. It was evidently successful until the blender motor overheated and burned out.
Most of all, when I think of Chuck Lirette I hear the easy lyricism of his trumpet playing. The way he can spin out a melody, the imaginative colors he uses in jazz riffs, these and more make him a treat to listen to. I remember one particular pops concert, a celebration of music from the Big Band era with vocal soloists. Chuck came to the front of the stage: the soprano sang the verse of "Stardust", Chuck played the chorus, and during a brief orchestra interlude they danced. It was a nostalgic, bittersweet moment, and seemed to be the era of Harry James come to life."
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