Welcome to part of the Carroll Community Wind Ensemble out of Carrollton, Ga. The ensemble is a community outreach program of the Carroll Symphony Orchestra that began 3 years ago and has performed at many community events. This is their second time performing with the University of West Georgia. Two years ago they combined with members of the CSO to provide the pit orchestra for the opera Carmen. They currently have 5 trumpet players in their trumpet section. The photo includes, from left to right, Bob Johnson, Jen Houck and Chris Davis. Their other two trumpet players are Terry Strickland…

Each day we hear of more musicians losing their jobs. Some reasons given for this epidemic are 1. The economy, 2. Reduced ticket sales, 3. Change in direction, 4. Tracks are more economical. 5. Tracks don’t make mistakes, 6. No one is using horns any more, and the list goes on. It started with the big bands during the Swing Era from the early 1930’s until the late 1940’s. Men serving in the war were not available to fill the sections of the popular big bands back home. Money and materials were needed for the war efforts. Gas which was…

When I think of the most outstanding tone to come from a trumpet, I remember a trumpet workshop at the Roosevelt University in downtown Chicago which featured a lecture by the great orchestral trumpet legend Mr. Adolph “Bud” Herseth. When I think back to the most technically gifted trumpet player I have seen and heard, I remember an outstanding performance by Mr. Allen Vizzutti at an International Trumpet Guild conference. When I reflect back to the most musical trumpet performance I can recall, a solo performed on our campus by Mr. Allen Dean stands out in my memory. BUT….. To…

I recently came across a very talented trio fronted by a young trumpet player you must hear. Noticed I didn’t say your “should” hear. The trio is called Sweet Talk and no matter what kind of music trips your trigger, you need to listen to and follow the progress of this interesting ensemble (an experimental jazz trio based in Brooklyn, NY. Jake Henry – trumpet; Dustin Carlson – guitar, Devin Drobka – drums). Each member of the group is able to contribute artistry in every composition. And when you combine only a guitarist, a drummer and a trumpet player, you…

In our never ending quest to showcase the best in trumpet playing…. A Seattle native, Tatum Greenblatt is a musician, composer and bandleader who has established himself as one of the most in-demand trumpet players on New York City’s music scene and performed with artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Joe Lovano, The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, The Mingus Big Band, Richard Bona, George Gruntz, Donny McCaslin, Jacques Swartz- Bart, David Berger, George Garzone, and The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, among many others. Having earned his master’s degree from The Juilliard School, Tatum has toured extensively with The Richard Bona Group…

Flash Mobs have been increasing in number as well as creativity. We all would like to be present when one of these apparent haphazard occurrences take place. The thrill of this unpredictable and well-rehearsed performance happening in front of our very eyes is something every person would remember all of his/her life. Now, let me jump to another similar and related question. How many of you have heard complaints about a live show using tracks? Many people will rant and rave and say such things such as “I paid good money to hear “real” music, not a canned recording”. Yet…

Few of us remember much if anything about the Depression (the real Depression) and the word bartering may not be one we use today in casual conversations, but you might look into it. By definition the word bartering refers to the exchange of goods or services for other goods or services without the exchange of currency.. This may sound off the wall but as the economy continues to falter, the practice of bartering starts to make more since each day. Most everyone is faced with increased expenses and in many cases we can find ourselves out of work. Being out…