Dr. Charles Henry Wood III
Dr. Charles Henry Wood Ill passed away peacefully in the early hours of Monday, March 23. His last days were spent surrounded by his loving family at SB Cottage Hospital. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Joanne, his three children, Chuck IV (Carol), Diana Cook and Noelle Frontz (Lee) and his two stepchildren, Jana and Jimmy Christie. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Laura, Olivia, Gunnar and Grayson and three sisters, Lyn, Sue and Margie.
Chuck was born on January 11, 1936 in Athens, OH. After graduating from Valley Stream High School in New York, he completed his BA of Education at Ohio University, his MA in Performance and Conducting at Columbia and his Ph.D. in Music Education at UCLA. Chuck also studied at Julliard School of Music.
While an undergrad, Chuck was in ROTC and later served his country as a Captain at Fort Dix, New Jersey during the Cuban Missile crisis. While serving, he was proud to conduct the 120 voice “Soldier’s Chorus” and thereafter readily announced himself as an army veteran.
Professionally, Chuck was a phenomena. He was a renowned conductor, educator, performer, published composer and mentor for thousands of students throughout his 60 year career. He served as principal trumpet with the Bakersfield Symphony for 14 years and was the former Director of Bands at Bakersfield College for 24 years. He also was former Conductor of the Desert Community Orchestra and served as Visiting Associate Professor at UCSB in the early 70’s
Before he retired in 2010, Dr. Wood was the Director of Bands and Jazz Studies at Santa Barbara City College. Throughout his career, Chuck conducted jazz bands, concert bands, chamber wind bands, honor bands and marching bands. Known as Dr. Jazz, Chuck’s passion was jazz education and, most notably, was the director and founder of the Monday Madness and Lunch Break Big Bands at SBCC. He served as adjudicator and clinician for major jazz festivals in the western states. Bands under his direction were frequent winners at the Reno Jazz Festival and have shared the stage with Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Ed Schaughnessy, Michael Becker, Maria Schneider and many more.
In 1989, Chuck started and conducted the annual “Christmas Brass” concert featuring musicians from the Central and South Coast. To this day, shoppers on State Street are still entertained by the over 100 musicians playing carols by “Christmas Brass.” In addition, Dr. Wood conducted the Municipal band for 7 summer seasons.
Chuck loved to fish, travel, exercise, sing, gamble (only slots) and watch any sports on TV. He particularly enjoyed cruising and his happiest moments were spent at his inlaws’ cabins in the mountains of Wyoming. An impressive tenor, he showcased his voice as a member of the Our Lady of Sorrows and, most recently, the San Roque Church choirs.
Chuck was a sweet and gentle man who avoided conflict and heated discussions. He spoke freely and enthusiastically with everyone he met and always with kindness, patience and no judgment. He was very intelligent, could speed read and memorized all of the instrumental scores of his pieces in concert.
He was a fashionable gentleman and was as comfortable in a suit and tie as in jeans. In his younger years, he was an excellent dancer and even knew the Lindy Hop! As a former body builder and a regular fixture at the YMCA, Chuck prided himself in staying fit. Very few people knew that “Dr. Jazz” went to college on a track scholarship with his focus on pole vaulting!
Chuck lived a rewarding life full of love and fun. He was an inspiration to all who knew him as either a friend, colleague, student or loved one. He will be greatly missed.
A rosary will be held for Chuck at 7pm on Wednesday, April 15th at San Roque Church.
His funeral will be at 10:30am on Thursday, April 16th at San Roque Church.
Inurnment will follow the funeral at Calvary Catholic Cemetery on Hope Avenue.
Donations in memory of Chuck may be sent to the Music Department of SBCC at Account #B4270 to: Santa Barbara City College Foundation 731 Cliff Drive Santa Barbara, CA. 93109
