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jazz
pianist
and arranger born in Somerville, Massachusetts
, perhaps best-known for being pianist
and arranger for the Woody Herman
band from 1951–1955. Pieces by Pierce were predominantly created for use in big band
s.
Following schooling at the New England Conservatory and working as an amateur musician in the Boston
area, Pierce then led his own band which featured Charlie Mariano
from 1949-1951. After working with Woody Herman
from 1951–1955, Nat took residence in New York City
and freelanced with musicians such as Pee Wee Russell
, Lester Young
, Emmett Berry
and Ruby Braff
, to name a few.
From 1957-1959 Pierce led a band off and on which featured Buck Clayton
, Gus Johnson
and Paul Quinichette
.
"Look, these people... they have no jobs, no food, no education, no future. I just figure that you know, I mean, we have two things we can do. We can help, or we can sit back and watch a country destroy itself on CNN. Right?"
"Look, you guys, I know it's my first time as chalk leader, but, uh, this isn't our first time out together. This is serious. We're Rangers, not some sorry-ass JROTC. We're elite. Let's act like it out there."
"All right, listen up. We're gonna hold the perimeter and we're gonna hold the strongpoint. Conserve your ammo. Only shoot at what you can hit. The convoy is gonna come. We're gonna get home."
"Watch for Skinnies. They're all over the rooftops. They're in prayer, but not for much longer."
(to the dying Cpl. Jamie Smith) "You did what we were trained to do. You should be proud of that. Be proud of that."
"You know, a friend of mine asked me before I got here... it was when we were all shipping out. He asked me, 'Why are you going to fight somebody else's war? What, do y'all think you're heroes?' I didn't know what to say at the time, but if he asked me again, I'd say no. I'd say there's no way in hell. Nobody asks to be a hero. It just sometimes turns out that way."
"Hey - who's hungry?"
"You wanna know what I think? It don't really matter what I think. Once that first bullet goes past your head, politics and all that shit, just goes right out the window."
"Just watch your corner and get all your men back here alive."
"It'd probably help to wash the blood out of the humvees."