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Information provided by Freddy Brown:
Richard "Dick" Reis was my uncle. He was the band teacher at Baker in the early sixties. I can't remember the exact years, but I think it was about 1964. He moved back to Pelham, Ga with his family. He was the Headmaster at Ravenwood Acadamey for a few years and had returned to the Pelham School system. He died in the summer of 1983. A loss we all feel to this day. He was a stern man that expected the best of his children and his students and was happy to let you know you had done well.
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Joe Bacchus (1967)
Mr Reis was the Baker High Band Director in 1964 for one year and followed Mr Curry who had been the previous Band Director.I was a freshman drummer and felt lucky to be in the Baker Band among a group of such talented musicians. Mr. Reis introduced me to jazz just through association. You see Mr. Reis was an excellent saxophone player and played in a community jazz orchestra called the Cavaliers. Members of the Cavaliers were from all kinds of professions within Columbus. Some were military, one was a postman and etc...
The sound they created was better than any band I had on records at home. I don't think I ever here them play a concert or a dance. But I know that they were well known in Columbus.
Because Mr. Reis demanded so much of himself, he expected us to perform up to his standard. I was inspired by this attitude to work hard.
I used to spend lunchtime in the Band Room just to hear the music that Mr. Reis would play on the old mono system that was in the band room. I remember hearing such unique music and wanting to have the opportunity to play what I was hearing.
In that one year, Mr. Reis inspired me to apply myself. The other members of the Baker Band set the bar high too.
Danny Williams (1975)
May god be with you. Danny Williams