Today we step back in time to feature one of the most popular trumpet players of a few generations ago. Harry James was one of the most well-known musicians of his time. He led a big band that was featured in several movies in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. He was a household name know for his trumpet playing, band leading, and acting.
Harry James had the unique ability to combine classical technique with swing-era jazz style. His Concerto for Trumpet showcases this versatility.
Several of my students are interested in getting started with jazz improvisation right now, so here’s a video of one of the best trumpet players of all time playing an easy jazz standard that’s great for beginning improvisors.
Freddie Hubbard is one of the giants of jazz trumpet. His career spans several decades and several different genres of jazz. Please look up his other recordings and videos!
“Canteloupe Island” was written by Herbie Hancock (the piano player in this video). The chord changes are simple:
4 measures of G minor, 4 measures of Eb7, 4 measures of E minor, 4 more measures of G minor, and then keep repeating that pattern.
This is a great tune for beginning improvisors to practice with a play-a-long recording or improvisation app!
Listening guide questions:
Today we are featuring an ensemble of college-aged trumpet students from Oklahoma State University. This arrangement and performance of Igor Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring won them the National Trumpet Competition last year in 2018.
The National Trumpet Competition is an incredible event held every year around this time. Students of all ages perform and compete in solo, ensemble, and jazz categories. The event also features guest performances and masterclasses.
The students in the video below use a variety of trumpets and mutes: Bb trumpet, C trumpet, piccolo trumpet, flugelhorn, several kinds of straight mute, and felt bags.
Allen Vizzutti is hands down one of the greatest trumpet virtuosos of all time. He can do things on the trumpet most of us would consider impossible. His playing and compositions span many genres, and he has written several technique and etude books.
I’m always impressed with his ability to produce an amazing sound, regardless of how difficult the music is that he’s playing. When you watch these videos, notice how relaxed he stays, even during the most difficult passages. It’s a reminder to all of us to always approach difficult music with a beautiful sound and a relaxed playing style.
Hopefully these videos will inspire us to reach the next level of sound and technique. Never assume it will be impossible!
The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra is a jazz big band based out of New York City made up of some of the best musicians in the industry. The ensemble has a rich history spanning more than 50 years (it used to be named the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra), and they currently perform every Monday night at the Village Vanguard jazz club in New York.
The trumpets on this video are: Nick Marchione (lead), Frank Greene, Terrell Stafford, and Scott Wendholt (featured soloist).
Our first repeat featured trumpet player! Alison Balsom has too many great trumpet videos! She can also be found on the Trumpet Inspiration from 9-2-18.
This video features a performance of Legende by Georges Enesco (one of my personal favorite pieces for trumpet and piano). This piece covers just about every aspect of classical trumpet playing: high notes, low notes, slow expressive music, faster technical passages, etc. Some of my students have worked on this piece recently for college auditions and solo festivals. Enjoy!
This week our featured trumpet player is Chris Gekker, and I’ve included links to all 3 movements of his recording of the Eric Ewazen Sonata for Trumpet and Piano. Chris is currently the trumpet professor at the University of Maryland. Before that, he was a member of the American Brass Quintet for 18 years, a faculty member of the Juilliard School, a top freelance trumpet player in New York. His accomplishments are too numerous to list, so a bio can be found here.
Eric Ewazen has written a lot of excellent music for brass. His Sonata for Trumpet and Piano has become a staple of the solo trumpet repertoire. I also recommend looking up his music for brass quintet.
I was fortunate to study with Chris Gekker as an undergraduate student at the University of Maryland. I first heard this recording of the Ewazen Sonata in high school, and I was blown away by the depth and expressiveness of his tone. This recording inspired me to audition at the University of Maryland, and I continue to be grateful for the lessons learned under Chris’s guidance.
James Morrison is an Australian trumpet player/multi-instrumentalist, and his videos contain some of the most insane jazz trumpet solos on YouTube. His range, power, and technique are off the charts, and he backs it up with incredible jazz style, phrasing, and showmanship. This video features him and Mnozil Brass trumpet star Thomas Gansch along with several other trumpet players from the Shagerl Big Band.
Today we are featuring Elmer Churampi, a young trumpet player originally from Peru who is quickly establishing himself as an international trumpet soloist. He is proof that you don’t have to be old to be good at the trumpet 🙂 He wasn’t even 20 years old when this video was filmed in 2015!!!
Today’s video is a performance of Brandenburg Concerto #2 by Johan Sebastian Bach. This piece was written in 1721, and it is still considered one of the most challenging pieces in the trumpet repertoire because of the extreme demands on range and control.
The valves we have on modern trumpets had not been invented when this piece was written, so used a natural trumpet would have been used. As you can see in the video, this instrument does not have valves, so the only way to change notes is with your air and lips! The small holes on the side of the instrument can be covered or opened to adjust tuning on certain notes. This piece can also be performed on the modern piccolo trumpet.
As you listen, notice how musical phrases are passed seamlessly from one instrument to another. Bach was a true master of this style of composing. The trumpet player in this recording is Neil Brough, and his performance is outstanding!
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