Fantastic playing by Chris on one of the iconic concertos of the trumpet repertoire.
Recommended Music!
Holst: The Planets – Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra/Zubin Mehta
Homage to Duke – Dave Grusin
In The Sun – Jane Monheit
Live In Osaka – Eastman Wind Ensemble
Straight Ahead – Count Basie Orchestra
Ingrid Jensen!
Canadian trumpet player Ingrid Jensen is on the cutting edge of jazz trumpet. She’s been a member of the Maria Schneider Orchestra for years and regularly performs with dozens of award-winning groups as a leader and sideman. Ingrid is also Artist-in-Residence on the trumpet faculty at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Her sound is beautiful and an endless amount of innovative creativity pours out of her horn. Check out this video and see what you think!
Tanglewood Music Center Trumpet Masterclass – MUST WATCH!
The Boston Symphony’s Tanglewood Music Center has recently released a 5-part YouTube video series titled “The Art of Section Playing”. This is the best video series I’ve ever seen on the subject, and some of the best instruction available by two of the best orchestral trumpeters in the USA, Tom Rolfs and Ben Wright. Rolfs and Wright take you through what makes great orchestral trumpet sections sound the way they do, and how to take your own playing (and section) to the next level(s). The level of intricacy in which they teach will shock most trumpeters. Their students already play at a very high level, yet through the demonstrations of Rolfs and Wright details are found that a tweak or adjustment. Also note how the students take criticism. Direct comments are made often (some pointed and some more general) and every student takes them in stride, never questioning authority. One has to have a certain level of maturity to be able to handle direct criticism (especially in front of peers) and they all show an extremely high level.
These videos show what it takes to be the best of the best. You can practice to an extremely high level of skill and yet there is always room for improvement. Enjoy!
Alison Balsom – Sound The Trumpet
Alison Balsom has just released a new album on EMI featuring the music of Handel and Purcell. Balsom performs throughout on Baroque trumpet and it’s just stunning. I wholeheartedly recommend every recording Alison’s produced. She’s one of the best trumpet soloists of our time. Enjoy this promotional video!
Matthias Höfs, trumpet
Matthias Höfs is one of Germany’s finest trumpet players. He is currently professor of trumpet at the University of Music and Theatre in Hamburg, Germany. He is famous for his long tenure with the German Brass and has produced seven solo albums. Höfs is one of my favorite trumpet players-he can play anything with a beautiful, resonant sound and technique to spare.
The first video is from one of his recent solo albums where he performs Enesco’s Legend. The second video shows his versatility in playing a Spanish-themed piece. The third video is the German Brass performing Bach BWV 972 after Vivaldi Violin Concerto RV 230. It features Höfs piccolo trumpet playing throughout in amazing technical and lyrical fashion. In addition to the beautiful trumpet sound and virtuosic technique, listen to his pitch accuracy. It’s uncanny. Enjoy!
Bud Herseth – Australian Radio Profile and Interview
An excellent interview on the living legend, Adolph Herseth. It’s a long interview, but well worth your time. It also contains many excerpts of Bud’s famous performances with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. No one produces a sound on our instrument like he does.
Recommended Music!
Head Hunters – Herbie Hancock
The Fire of The Fundamentals – Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra
Def Trance Beat – Steve Coleman and the Five Elements
The Legacy of Stan Kenton – U.S. Army Field Band Jazz Ambassadors
Wagner for Orchestra – Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
New page: Resources
I’ve added a page called “Resources”, a dedicated place for me to list recommended trumpet books and accessories. Since it can sometimes be difficult to find a particular book or accessory, I’ve teamed up with Amazon to offer a place to purchase these items at a great price. I will be adding more books and accessories from time to time, and will eventually submit detailed reviews of selected products.
We’ll see how this goes! The trumpet geek in me loves checking out new trumpet gear and method books, and I’d like to share that with everyone. I’m also glad to post a “recommended list” so students can easily see what I would prefer them to use.
The “Resources” page is located on the far right of the menu bar.
Tower of Power!
Tower of Power is one of the best horn bands of all time. They’ve been going strong since 1968 with a sound like no other in the business-a blend of R&B, Jazz, Funk, and Soul. The five piece horn section has always featured strong trumpet players and here are some great examples:
And last, a full concert from 1985 at Iowa State University: