One of the truly great aspects of being a musician is the inspiration that comes from those we are fortunate enough to work with. It recharges musical batteries, motivates improvement and personal growth and gives us an emotional zing that few things can. As a trombone player, playing with great trumpet players is both a gift and a necessity for our own instrument to shine. The trombone is often called upon to compliment and support the direction laid down by our treble clef brass brethren. When done correctly, it can feel like the ultimate well oiled machine. I recently had a two week stretch where I had the improbable pleasure of working with several of the finest trumpet artists alive today in a variety of attractive situations.
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w/Tony Kadleck — Tony Bennett/Lady Gaga recording sessions NYC — 7.30.13
It commenced with 2 days of recording sessions in New York for the new Tony Bennett/Lady Gaga CD. At the helm of the superb trumpet section was the great Tony Kadleck, arguably one of the finest commercial/jazz lead trumpet players anywhere in the world. That was followed with a day of recording my new 10 Minute Warm-Up book/play-along CD with the peerless Phil Smith, undeniably the greatest orchestral trumpet player this side of the late Bud Herseth.
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w/Phil Smith — 10 MWU recording session NYC — 7.31.13
The odyssey continued with two days in Los Angeles shooting two bone2pick interviews and two Hip-BoneU lessons with the inimitable and iconic legend Mr. Chuck Findley and the herculean master of the upper register, the great Wayne Bergeron. As if that wasn’t enough to send me running for the practice room like a rotweiller smelling a steak, I followed that with a week at the Tonica jazz seminar in Guadalajara, Mexico where I had the distinct pleasure of working with one of the undisputed virtuosi of the jazz trumpet world, Mr. Alex Sipiagin.
Thank you commandants of the bugle for the inspiration you bring to all of us every time you pick up the tool of your trade!
