And here is still another happening in Branson. This morning one of the stage managers at our theater got this shot of a bass player going to his job with his bass stuck out the window of the car. What you might not have known is that the bass player is actually the bass player in “our show”. On the way to the theater this morning, his car broke down and one of the sax players took off to give him a ride into town. The show was postponed about five minutes so our players could make it to the…

Interviewer: “What do you expect is in store for the future of jazz guitar?” Yogi: “I’m thinkin’ there’ll be a group of guys who’ve never met talkin’ about it all the time..” Interviewer: Can you explain jazz? Yogi: “I can’t, but I will. 90% of all jazz is half improvisation. The other half is the part people play while others are playing something they never played with anyone who played that part. So if you play the wrong part, it’s right. If you play the right part, it might be right if you play it wrong enough. But if you…

This is a question many musicians ask when they have nothing else to talk about. I was recently asked this question and after careful thought, I came up with a name most of you may not even recognize. Favorite trumpet player’s names such as Maynard Ferguson, Bobby Shew, Miles Davis, Al Hirt, Adolph Herseth, Wynton Marsalis, “Doc” Severinsen, Armando Ghitalla, Robert Nagle, and equally gifted players first came to mind. But for me at this time in my life, the person who I would rate as my favorite trumpet player would be Doyle Miller. Most of you are now wondering…

Take the time to hear some of the best improvisation of this decade… Lew Soloff on trumpet! School is in session……..

Q: What’s the difference between a trumpet player and the rear end of a horse? A: I don’t know either. Q: What do you do if you see a bleeding trumpet player running around in your backyard? A: Stop laughing, and shoot again! Q: How do you get a trumpet player out of a tree? A: Cut the noose. Q: What’s the difference between a dog and a trumpet player? A: The dog knows when to stop scratching! Q: What do trumpet players use for birth control? A: Their personalities. Q: What’s the first thing a trumpet player says at…

Trumpeter Sean Jones is a firebrand musician with a bent toward muscular post-bop. Born in Warren, Ohio, in 1978, Jones began playing trumpet in the fifth grade, and by high school had developed a strong interest in jazz, especially the music of legendary trumpeter Miles Davis. Gigs at local jazz clubs and performances with the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra followed, and Jones ultimately enrolled in the music school at Youngstown State University in Ohio. Graduating with a bachelor’s degree, Jones then earned a Master’s degree from Rutgers University. Since that time, Jones has performed with a variety of name musicians, including…

If you are like me, I have had it with all the name calling, mud throwing and character assignations going on in the race for the White House. We have finally hit the lowest level in our countries history when speaking of the the next occupant to the oval office. We have two candidates with apparently the lowest moral fiber ever to run for this esteem position. Even the Republican Party cannot support their offering and most on the Democratic side of the isle have distanced themselves from their candidate. WE HAVE NO QUALIFIED PERSON RUNNING FOR THE PRESIDENCY OF…

I’m sure that I have your attention at this time for a statement like that should raise the hackles on any musician worth their weight in valve oil. For several months I have had the pleasure of performing with an exception troupe of actors (actresses) from New York who every day amaze me with their ability to “sell” there lines. Each performs at an amazing consistency and polished level of their art which humbles me when comparing it to the mere notes I play during each show. Some may question my enthusiasm for these talented performers and some may even…

Much can be said about evolution. Darwin had his revolutionary views and even though he was wrong, he was still able to voice his opinion. In the same vein, I will present my hypothesis as to the evolution and decline of music as we know it today. It is my hope that my thoughts on the history of music will also, in time, be proven incorrect. All living forms tend to follow the same path, i.e., birth, development, increased knowledge and productivity, maturity, lessening of productivity, decline, and eventual death. So do non-living things follow the same pattern, i.e., creation,…