Submitted by Doug Litwin

Alfredo Gomez, Jr. is the ultimate band member. Music has been flowing through his veins since he was a very small child and is still flowing today. His father was a professional musician and singer and has released some albums under his name Freddy Gomez. His father was inducted into the Tejano Walk of Fame in Edinburg, Texas and the South Texas Conjunto Music Hall of Fame. The apple didn’t fall from the tree.

Alfredo joined the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce Boys Choir at age 9. Six months later, he was introduced to the trombone. At the time, his short arms would only reach to fourth position! Once his arms grew a little longer, he made to the Texas All-State Symphony Orchestra in 1973 and his musical career blossomed after that.

He co-founded the Chicago Pride Band in 1979 on the heels of learning of the new bands in San Francisco and Los Angeles. How many other nominees can say they were there in 1982 when LGBA was formed and is still there today? At that first meeting 44 years ago, Alfredo served in concert production, ticket sales, and as volunteer coordinator. He was there in Chicago when the group celebrated its 40th Anniversary in 2022, and he has attended each conference since then. Alfredo has also played with the band at three Gay Games plus the March on Washington in 1993. Alfredo is more than just an instrumentalist; he has sung with the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus (1997-1998)

Alfredo is a quiet leader, never one to seek the spotlight. But he is always there with his constantly positive attitude. He is 100% supportive of all band members, regardless of their skill level, age, or attitude. One of the reasons many people might not notice Alfredo is that he plays just about every band instrument there is. You never know in what section he will be sitting! If you just look at the list of instruments Alfredo has played at band conferences, it’s hard to believe this could be the same person. Just at LGBA & Pride Bands events, Alfredo has played: French Horn, Bb Clarinet, Eb Clarinet, Tenor Trombone, Bass Clarinet, Bass Trombone, Flute, Baritone Sax, and Contrabass Clarinet. It should come as no surprise that when Alfredo moved to the Seattle area in 2014, he was learning to be an instrument repair technician.

Here is one short story that exemplifies Alfredo’s commitment to music. In the early 2000s, I was trying to organize a clarinet choir in the San Francisco band. I contacted Alfredo, knowing he had helped organize music for the Licorice Sticks clarinet group in Chicago. On my next trip to Chicago, I met with Alfredo to see what music he had. I found him in the basement laundry room of his apartment building. Every square inch of surface (including the floor) was covered with clarinet ensemble music. Much of the sheet music was duplicated and Alfredo offered it to me. Amazing. Then, I was faced with the challenge of getting two milk crates full of music to San Francisco. Alfredo had a brilliant solution that was 100% free… He worked for AMTRAK (a 35 year career) and knew all the employees who worked on the trains. He arranged to place the two milk crates in the engine of the California Zephyr which goes from Chicago to Emeryville, adjacent to San Francisco. On the appropriate day, I drove to the AMTRAK station in Emeryville just as the train arrived. I walked to the front of the train and looked in. The engineer asked if I was Doug. I responded and he said “I have a special delivery for you from Alfredo Gomez.” He then handed me the two milk crates. Some of this music is still being used locally today!

In 2003, Alfredo helped me put together small clarinet quintet to provide some live music during the annual meeting of the Federation of Gay Games, which was taking place at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel. Alfredo also spread the musical word and took some of his small ensembles on the road to visit and perform with other bands in cities including St. Louis, Minneapolis, Northern Indiana, and Milwaukee. Alfredo has always been a champion of women’s causes and has been asked many times for his input on issues facing that community.

Alfredo had a strong desire to be more involved with LGBA, but his job commitments at AMTRAK limited his availability.

Alfredo and his partner Anthony relocated to the Seattle area 2014. Anthony is from that area and Alfredo felt it was important for him to be closer to his family.

In order for any organization to be successful, they need to have “pillars” of all types: vocal, artistic, administrative, financial, charismatic, etc. Alfredo is the quiet leader who is always there, contributing his inspirational musical talents in too many ways to count. Community bands cannot exist without pillars like Alfredo Gomez, and his many contributions deserve to be acknowledged.