How did you got started and when?
“My dad was a trumpet player and was good enough to stay state side with the 2nd army continental band during the Vietnam war. He had to play taps a lot for those not so lucky. I would eventually inherit this phenomenon, but I’ll get into that later. I was born a year before his discharge and grew up listening to him practicing and hearing trumpet albums”.
Why did you chose the trumpet?
“When asked what kind of instrument I wanted to play, it was a no brainer for me! Having parents that had a deep respect for the arts (mother painted, dad tootin’ horn), made all the difference for me. They were more than willing to pay for lessons and good at making me practice every day. They would set a kitchen timer and I couldn’t go outside until I put in an hour each day. When you’re a little kid, you need a kick in the ass. After awhile I showed some talent and by high school I was taking lessons from Dr. Bob Weast at Drake University. He was an incredible trumpet player with a rich history. He was a great teacher and prepared me for the University of Northern Iowa, where I met my next great teacher! I guess that’s how I got started”.
Who were major influences as you grew up?
“I listened to, and was influenced by players like Doc Severinsen, Maynard Ferguson, and Louis Armstrong at first because those were the albums my Dad listened to mostly. I would later get into Wynton Marsalis, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, and Clifford Brown just to name a few. I was into Wynton and got to meet him a few times. He even paid for me to go to New York and experience what it was like for him. WM is a great teacher also and very much influenced me. Today I listen to Tom Harrell, Chet Baker, Freddie Hubbard, and Nicolas Payton a lot. I’m always listening and searching for more aural information”.
Who are your favorite musicians?
“I would have to say those that don’t talk crap about other players. For some reason it is prevalent in jazz to put down those that might not be as knowledgeable, and I hate that. That’s why I love the band mates I currently play with, they don’t talk like that”.
Where do you want to go from here?
“Well, I’m a trumpet player through and through so I’ll just keep playing until I’m dead. I’m going to keep trying to get better and better as long as I can”.
What is your favorite style of music?
“That question is impossible to answer since it changes constantly. I listen to everything from Radiohead to Rachmaninoff! If I like it I listen to it no matter what the style”.
Out of all musicians living and dead, who would you like to hang out with for a day?
“If I could hang out with anyone for a day it would be Louis Armstrong. He is like America’s grandpa. His warm gruff voice and the perfect tone of his horn. The mere thought brings tears to my eyes”.
What do you see in your future?
“I mentioned inheriting playing taps earlier, so I should explain. I love history, and even joined a WW2 reenactment group about 18 years ago. I earned my infantry badge and could tear down and rebuild my M1 Garand rifle in 2 minutes. I have a WW2 era class A uniform and have always volunteered to play taps for any WW2 veteran that has passed. I used to get called a lot, but very rarely now. I think I need to get a class A Vietnam era uniform now. Anyway, this is only a taste of who I am. I love hunting and fishing and history and life!
If I could impart wisdom to any other trumpeters out there it’s this: colleges try to tell you that if you are going to be great, you have to eat, sleep, and crap trumpet. This will only burn you out. A person has to have other interests for longevity. There are so many trumpet players that could blow me away that no longer play. They thought it had to be 24/7. What’s the point if you’re not loving life each day.
I hope this is a decent glimpse into who I am. It feels weird talking about myself this much. When I was young I was rather arrogant, and I have tried to quell that personality trait ever since I became aware”.
We want to thank Chad for sharing some incite into his history and expected future. We would also encourage everyone in Kansas City area to get out and listen to this high level group of musicians and check out their schedule for tour information in case they will be playing in your area.
Check them out…
