Whenever the mood strikes him, the sweet sounds of Raymond Robbins’ clarinet waft out into the hallways of the Veterans Home of California-Chula Vista.
Next door, Oliver Luck listens in appreciation.
These two veterans share more than just a common wall as neighbors at the Chula Vista Home. They share the bonds of military service and music.
Robbins doubled as a musician and a sharpshooter under General Patton during the Third Army’s push across Europe in World War II.
Luck played the trombone in the 657th Air Force Band from 1951 through 1955, during the Korean War.
Each went on to enjoy long careers as professional musicians that included gigs with some of the most well-known band leaders of the time: Robbins with Count Basie and Luck with Duke Ellington.
Robbins carried the unique combination of a saxophone, clarinet, and flute as well as a Springfield rifle across Europe toward the end of World War II. He played for troops as the saxophonist in the 318th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division Band. He did double duty as a soldier as the Allied forces pushed back and finally defeated the Nazis in the Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge), Rhineland, and Central Europe campaigns.
Though at 98 he can’t recall the circumstances, he received a Purple Heart after being wounded during the push into Central Europe that took him into Germany for a brief time.
When Robbins returned to the states, he resumed his career as a professional musician. Just as the memory of his wound faded, so has his call to duty with Count Basie’s band — the year or the circumstances — after the war.
“It just happened,” Robbins said, a native of Massachusetts. “I don’t know. They picked me up.”
He estimates he played roughly 10 shows with Basie, but never conversed with the legendary band leader.
“I came in, sat in, and read the sheets (music),” Robbins said. “I know what I’m doing. I’m still a musician.”
He built a successful career playing with numerous bands, big and small, across the country. He came to live at the Chula Vista Home in 2021.
Luck fought a different kind of war during his time in the Air Force. Enlisting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he went to basic training in San Antonio, Texas, and then boarded a train to Fort Lee, Virginia, for schooling.
“I rode in a Pullman car until we got to Virginia,” Luck said. “At that point, I was told no (N-word) is going to ride like this, and they put me in a cattle car from the Virginia border to Fort Lee.”
When he arrived at the base by taxi, he found himself handcuffed for wearing the only uniform he had, which was different from what was worn at Fort Lee. It took intervention from a superior to get the cuffs removed.
“The first 10 days on base, I couldn’t go anywhere (off of the base) but to church,” Luck said.
It wasn’t until he met the band sergeant and told him he was a musician that his fortunes began to change. Luck expected he’d need to demonstrate his talent.
“I got there and said, ‘I’m ready to audition,’” Luck said. “The band Sergeant said, ‘You already did and he got on the phone (to the base command), gave my name, and I was in the band.”
Luck played in numerous concerts, including Independence Day celebrations, with the 657th Air Force Band during his four years of service. After his service, he continued his musical career on many levels.
While playing band gigs, Luck earned his bachelor’s degree in music therapy. He eventually became the supervising music therapist at the VA hospital in Dayton, Ohio.
“They had a fantastic radio program the patients ran,” Luck said. “When I interviewed for the VA job, I suggested that they have music in their rooms. That supervisor stole my idea and got an award for it.”
After 18 months, he moved on to jobs in Chicago, Arizona, and San Diego, both in teaching and performing. He also authored a book on music theory.
Luck said he long dreamt of performing in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena. He thought that would finally happen when got an offer to play in the January 1, 1988, parade.
Two days later, though, he got another call – this one for a paying gig with Duke Ellington’s band at Harrah’s in Las Vegas.
The parade remained a dream never fulfilled.
Luck moved into the Veterans Home in 2022, next door to Robbins. These brothers of band share the bonds of music and military service, indeed.
