Often trumpet players are asked to name the greatest trumpet player of all time and even though this would be impossible to establish, it does make one reflect back to past champions for our cause. Today I decided to muse over a great musician who I had the opportunity to visit with many years ago while teaching at the University of Northern Iowa.
When listing the great trumpet players, the name Austin Dean “Bud” Brisbois (April 11, 1937 – June 1978) certainly rates high on the list. His accomplishments on vinyl as well as on stage can only be described as fantastic. I have included three examples of his phenomenal ability in the upper register as well as his improvisational skills. His life was the perfect example of life changing ups and downs and his contributions to the music world and music education will never be truly appreciated to their fullest. It was during one of his many “featured soloist” appearances and workshops that I begin my first hand remembrance of this fantastic player.
The University of Northern Iowa (UNI) has the distinction of hosting the longest running (59th Annual) high school jazz festival in the nation. One feature of our festival was and still is the featuring of some of the leading jazz musicians from around the country. Included in our list of clinicians have been Art Pepper, Sonny Rollins, Lee Morgan, Bill Watrous, Bobby Shew, Jimmy Pugh, Lou Marini, Mike Vax, just to name a few.
During one of our clinics, “Bud” Brisbois was asked if he JesExtender played on a dry or wet embouchure. He responded with an emphatic “I PLAY ON A DRY EMBOUCHURE” and proceeded to wipe his chops with the back of his hand, lift his horn to his lip to demonstrate and a split second before placing his mouthpiece to his lips, he licked his lips and screamed out a blood curdling “G” above high “C”. Again the same student questioned the great master of the high range, “Do you really play on a dry embouchure”? and again he stated, this time with as much volume as he had when playing his last note “I PLAY ON A DRY EMBOUCHURE” and proceeded to wipe his chops with the back of his hand, lift his horn to his lip to demonstrate at a split second before placing his mouthpiece to his lips, he licked his lips and screamed out a blood curdling “G” above high “C”. By this time everyone in the auditorium was a buzz. It was then that everyone had the answer they were after, Mr. Brisbois actually played on a wet embouchure even though this contradicted the masters thinking.
Whether his lips were wet or dry does not matter for what he did after that was more important. For those who are old enough to remember the excitement of his one of a kind playing think back to those wonderful times. For those who are younger, remember his name for it was through his and a few other gifted players that the upper register of the trumpet was expanded.
Greatest “screech” player of ALL time! Particularly as evidence by his time with Stan Kenton’s band.
I totally agree.
Not only could he get to the highest registors but he could do something with it when he got there!
We had him as a soloist at UNI one year and what a thrill to be in the same room with him. He was one of the best!