2025 National Trumpet Competition – Fort Worth, Texas; March 14-16

National Trumpet Competition Logo Join us in Forth Worth, Texas for a weekend full of music, innovation, and everything trumpet!

Get ready, trumpet enthusiasts! We are thrilled to announce that Bob Reeves Brass will be at the 2025 National Trumpet Competition in Fort Worth. This year’s competition will be held at the Texas Christian University. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to explore our extensive range of products, meet our team of specialists, and discover the latest innovations in trumpet technology. The exhibit halls are open to the public on Friday, March 14th, Saturday, March 15th and Sunday, March 16th.

What to Expect at the Bob Reeves Brass Booth

  1. An impressive selection of over 300 trumpet mouthpieces, including the brand new  #19 commercial backbore and the BOOM★ Dan Rosenboom Signature Model.
  2. Orchestral Models in various sizes such as 3C, 1-1/2C, 1-1/4C, and 1C for a tailored playing experience.
  3. Innovative designs like the Dynamic Mass and C2J mouthpieces.
  4. A variety of flugelhorn, piccolo, and cornet models along with our Classical Series mouthpieces.
  5. Expert valve alignments to ensure optimal performance of your instrument.
  6. Premium instruments such as C. Davis trumpets and S.E. Shires trumpets.
  7. A vast collection of mutes including Ullven Mutes of Sweden, Clary Woodmutes, C. Davis harmon & straight mutes, TrumCor, Yupon Mutes of Japan, Okura Mutes of Japan, Rejano Practice Mutes, and more!
  8. A great selection of Gard Bags for trumpet, cornet and flugelhorn

Meet Our Specialists

Don’t forget to stop by the Bob Reeves Brass booth in the vendor area and chat with our trumpet specialists, Brett Kendall, John Snell, and Matthew Collins. They’ll be more than happy to consult with you, answer any questions, and help you find the perfect trumpet setup tailored to your needs.

Unlock the Full Potential of Your Trumpet with a Bob Reeves Brass Valve Alignment at the National Trumpet Competition

Are you looking to take your trumpet playing to the next level? Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to get a Bob Reeves Patented Valve Alignment right at the National Trumpet Competition. No need to ship your trumpet to our shop – simply drop it off at our booth and pick it up the next day! We’ll also have a limited number of same-day appointments available.

Not sure if you need a valve alignment? Bring your trumpet by our booth, and we’ll measure its alignment for you, free of charge.

Exclusive Valve Alignment Special – Save $50!

As a special offer for the National Trumpet Competition, we’re discounting our valve alignments by $25. But wait, there’s more! Book your alignment early and prepay, and you’ll save an additional $25, for a total savings of $50.

⚠️ Hurry, as we’re only performing a limited number of alignments and reservations are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Preorder Your Valve Alignment and Save $50 Now!

By clicking the button above, you can pre-order your valve alignment using our secure online shopping cart. If, for any reason, you’re unable to attend the event, the credit from your pre-order can be applied to any future work at our shop. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to optimize your trumpet’s performance at the National Trumpet Competition!

Mark Your Calendar!

  • March 14-16, 2024
  • Texas Christian University – Fort Worth, Texas

Join us for a weekend full of excitement, innovation, and all things trumpet at the 2025 National Trumpet Competition. We can’t wait to see you there!

Clay Jenkins Trumpet Interview – The Other Side of the Bell #127

Clay Jenkins Trumpet Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #127 of The Other Side of the Bell – A Trumpet Podcast. This episode features trumpeter Clay Jenkins. Listen to or download the episode below:

About Clay Jenkins

Clay Jenkins is a renowned jazz trumpeter and educator whose dynamic career spans decades of performance and teaching. He launched his performing journey with the Stan Kenton Orchestra before moving to Los Angeles, where he toured and recorded with the big bands of Buddy Rich and the Count Basie Orchestra.

A charter member of the Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Clay has amassed over 100 recording credits, released seven solo albums, and recorded as a co-leader with many other notable names. Since joining the Eastman School of Music faculty, in Rochester, NY, in 2000, Clay has continued to perform worldwide, while mentoring the next generation of jazz musicians.

Inspired by his close friendship with the late trumpet legend Eugene “Snooky” Young, he established the Snooky Young Endowed Scholarship at Eastman, and is currently writing a biography of Young’s life.

Clay is wonderfully warm, down-to-earth and humble. If you listened to our last episode featuring Emile Martinez, you’ll know that Clay was instrumental in guiding Emile on his artistic journey, and so how appropriate it is that we can follow up on that interview with this one today.

And he’s a lifelong practicer. Clay is always trying to improve, and it’s inspiring to hear someone at his level still talking about what they go through every day, trying to better themselves.

Clay Jenkins Links

Podcast Credits

Greg Roosa Horn Interview – Horn Signal #4

Greg Roosa Horn Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #4 of Horn Signal! This episode features an interview with hornist Greg Roosa.

About Greg Roosa

Gregory Roosa was appointed Second Horn of the Los Angeles Philharmonic by Gustavo Dudamel in September 2012. Prior to that he held the Fourth Horn position in the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra beginning in 2003. His previous positions include Fourth Horn with the Kennedy Center Opera and Ballet Orchestra, and Fourth Horn with the Colorado Symphony in Denver.

A native of Troy, Michigan, Roosa attended the University of Illinois and studied with Ralph Froelich at the University of South Florida. In 1992, he moved to Chicago to study with Dale Clevenger, Principal Horn of the Chicago Symphony. He was a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago for three seasons. Active as a freelance musician in the Chicago area for eight years, Roosa played in the Broadway shows Ragtime, Phantom of the Opera, and Miss Saigon. He also played with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, including a European tour and two recordings. Roosa has appeared as soloist and clinician at numerous universities and horn workshops around the world.

Roosa has performed with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Queensland Orchestra in Australia, as well as with the Florida Orchestra and Detroit Symphony in the U.S. He was a member of the Colorado Music Festival Orchestra from 1999 to 2012, where he met his wife, Amy Jo Rhine, the Third Horn of LA Phil. Together they have two young boys, Norton and Sutton.

Greg Roosa Links

Podcast Credits

  • “Haydn Symphony #31 “Horn Signal“, “Hornpipe” Water Music by Handel and “Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral” from Wagner’s Lohengrin
  • Audio Engineer – Preston Shepard
  • Cover Art – Meg Ryia
  • Podcast Hosts – John Snell and Preston Shepard

Emile Martinez Trumpet Interview – The Other Side of the Bell #126

Emile Martinez Trumpet Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #126 of The Other Side of the Bell – A Trumpet Podcast. This episode features 2-time Grammy nominated trumpeter Emile Martinez. Listen to or download the episode below:

About Emile Martinez

Emile Martinez, a Los Angeles native and two-time Grammy-nominated trumpeter, composer, arranger, producer, and educator, embodies a multifaceted musical journey that transcends genre boundaries. Graduating with a Master of Fine Arts from the California Institute of the Arts and recognized as a presidential scholar at Berklee College of Music, Martinez’s passion for the trumpet ignited at the tender age of ten.

Under the tutelage of esteemed mentors such as Oscar Brashear, Clay Jenkins, Ed Carroll, Josef Leimberg, Van Hunt, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Rasheed Ali, Sal Cracchiolo, PhD. James Ford, PhD. Derrick Finch, Lee Secard, and Wadada Leo Smith, Martinez’s artistic evolution was profoundly shaped, fueling not only his musical prowess but also his commitment to mentorship and education, fostering creative pathways for future generations.

While often associated with jazz, Martinez’s artistic palette is expansive, drawing inspiration from an eclectic array of genres including Hip-Hop, R&B, Neo Soul, Classical, and Soul Electronica. His collaborations with luminaries such as Anderson Paak, S.I.R., Iman Omari, Shafiq Husayn, Big Sean, Rasheed Ali and Ed Sheeran underscore his versatility and musical adaptability.

Having graced prestigious stages from the Lincoln Center to the Playboy Jazz Festival during his early years as a trumpeter, Martinez’s performances captivate audiences with their dynamic fusion of styles and infectious energy. His recent venture into production showcases a deep reverence for cultural icons such as, J-Dilla, Quincy Jones, Shafiq Husayn, Josef Leimberg, Rasheed Ali, 9th Wonder, and Madlib.

As he prepares to unveil his debut album, “Lamad,” Martinez showcases his work not only as a trumpeter and improviser but as a composer, producer, and arranger. Martinez embarks on a new chapter with his ensemble, “The Education,” comprising a collective of exceptionally talented young artists from across Los Angeles. Through “Lamad,” Martinez invites listeners on a sonic odyssey, where each track intricately weaves a narrative that transcends musical boundaries, reflecting his unwavering commitment to artistic exploration and innovation.

Emile Martinez Links

Other Links Mentioned in the Show

Podcast Credits

TMEA 2025 – SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, FEBRUARY 13-15

 

We are excited to travel to San Antonio, Texas for this year’s Texas Music Educators Association Conference! The exhibit halls at the conference run from February 13-15, and will be full of great performances, clinics, and lectures.

This year visit us in Booth #789!

Here’s what we’ll have to offer:

  • 300+ Trumpet Mouthpieces
    • Try our brand-new 19 backbore
    • 24 backbore Symphonic Series
    • Dan Rosenboom & Bobby Burns Artist Models
    • 692sL, 692s, 2, 69 & 692 backbores
    • Dynamic Mass
    • C2J
    • Flugelhorn, piccolo, & cornet models
    • Classical Series mouthpieces
  • Reeves-Brass Ark Trombone Mouthpieces
    • Small bore tenor
    • Large bore tenor
    • Bass trombone
    • Artist models – CV, JF
  • Dylan Hart French horn mouthpieces – Standard & Euro Shank
  • Valve alignments
  • C. Davis trumpets
  • Van Laar trumpets
  • Shires Trumpets
  • Mutes galor!
    • Ullven Mutes of Sweden for trumpet & trombone
    • Clary Woodmutes
    • C. Davis harmon & straight mutes
    • TrumCor Mutes
    • Yupon Mutes of Japan for trumpet, trombone & horn
    • Okura Mutes of Japan for trumpet, trombone & horn
    • Rejano Practice Mutes for trumpet & trombone
  • And much, much more!

Be sure to swing by the Bob Reeves Brass booth in the main hall to meet trumpet specialists John Snell & Matt Collins & trombone specialist Robert Coomber.

 

VALVE ALIGNMENTS

Have you always wanted a Bob Reeves Patented Valve Alignment but don’t want to ship your trumpet to our shop? You’re in luck because we’ll be doing alignments at the TMEA Conference. Just drop your horn off at our booth and you can pick it up the next day! A few same day appointments are available.

If you’re not sure you need an alignment, you can bring your trumpet by our booth and we will be happy to measure it to show you how far out of alignment it is, free of charge.

We will be having a valve alignment special at the show, discounting from our normal price by $25! We are only doing a limited number of alignments and reservations are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Book Your Valve Alignment Early and Save $50!

If you book your alignment and prepay for it now, you will save an additional $25 for a total savings of $50. Just click the button below and checkout using our secure online shopping cart. If for some reason you will be unable to be at the TMEA, the credit from your pre-order can be used for any future work at our shop.

Prepay for your valve alignment now and save $50 per alignment! Click here to schedule your alignment.

New at the booth this year: Shires Trumpets & Trombones!

We will have a great selection of S.E. Shires trumpets and trombones at our booth, including:

  • Doc Severinsen Destino Trumpet
  • AF Custom Trumpet
  • George Curran Custom Bass Trombone
  • Michael Davis + Custom Trombone
  • 401 C Trumpet
  • 4S8 C Trumpet
  • A great selection of Q series trumpets & trombones

Other Fun Stuff

Besides the vast mouthpiece selection, we will have the following accessories and products on display:

  • Bob Reeves Cylinder Reinforcers
  • Bob Reeves Receiver Rings
  • Leadpipe Swabs
  • Double and Quad Leather Mouthpiece Pouches
  • Adapters: A-Piccolo Adapter, Cornet-Trumpet Adapter, Flugelhorn-Trumpet Adapter

Van Laar Trumpets and Flugelhorns

We will have an assortment of Van Laar Trumpets available for purchase at the show.

Charley Davis Trumpets & Mutes

Charley Davis has been one of the top-call studio players in Los Angeles for decades and developed the successful Charles Davis line of trumpet mutes. After years of trying to find a horn that played like his he decided that perhaps he should just make one. We will have several models on hand for you to try out and purchase.

Clary Woodmutes

We will have a selection of Clary Woodmutes for trumpet, including their straight mute, cup mute, and popular practice mute.

Yupon, Okura & Ullven Mutes

Try a selection of handcrafted mutes from Japanese manufactures Yupon & Okura, as well as Swedish manufacturer Ullven.

Aaron Smith Trumpet Interview – The Other Side of the Bell #125

Aaron Smith Trumpet Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #125 of The Other Side of the Bell – A Trumpet Podcast. This episode features trumpeter Aaron Smith. Listen to or download the episode below:

About Aaron Smith

Aaron Smith is an active freelance trumpet player in Los Angeles, CA. He also writes, arranges, and publishes music through his small business, TrumpetSmith Publishing (ASCAP). In addition, he serves on the Hearing Board for the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Local 47 and on the Board of Directors for the Recording Musicians Association Los Angeles (RMALA).

Raised in an Army household with musician parents who played jazz and r&b, and later to receive classical conservatory training, Smith thrives on versatility, consistency, and accurate delivery of musical intent. As a trusted freelance musician in Los Angeles, he performs regularly for live orchestral events, musical theatre, films, independent recording projects, streaming, television, and video games.

He has recorded on film/tv projects for celebrated composers including Alan Menken, Bear McCreary, Branford Marsalis, Germaine Franco, Heitor Pereira, Kris Bowers, Rob Simonsen, and Terence Blanchard; on sound recordings for Adrian Younge, Austin Wintory, Charles Gaines, Dr. Dre, Joachim Horsley, John Daversa, and X Ambassadors. He has performed as a sideman in bands on the Academy Awards, Dancing with the Stars, Disney’s Encore!, Ellen, the LATE LATE Show, and The Voice. He’s also appeared as a sideman onscreen for films including Babylon and Joker: Folie à Deux; and tv commercials for Capital One and Microsoft. He’s backed major artists including Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Common, Danny Elfman, Jennifer Holliday, Josh Groban, Kelly Clarkson, Labrinth, Lady Gaga, Sigur Rós, Steve Lacy, and more. He has also performed for contemporary/new music ensembles and series including Alarm Will Sound, the Industry’s Hopscotch Opera, Jacaranda, Southwest Chamber Music, wasteLAnd, WildUp, Green Umbrella, Monday Evening concert series, and Noon to Midnight Festival. In the L.A. theater world, Smith performs regularly at the Hollywood Pantages, Dolby, La Mirada Theaters and Pasadena Playhouse. Some notable shows from these theaters with Smith on solo trumpet include Back to the Future, Beetlejuice, Color Purple, Jelly’s Last Jam, Les Misérables, Moulin Rouge, Wicked, and the Wiz.

As a composer, Smith strives to curate a top-tier experience for brass players especially. The primary focus is exploring boundaries while expressing a story; both through adapted arrangements structurally sound to the composer’s intent and through his own original compositions. His work has been performed internationally. He has also created original chamber music commissioned by Marissa Benedict for University of Minnesota, Jim Self for University of Southern California, also by the Interlochen Center for the Arts, and Stomvi-USA.

Smith’s training as a music performance major includes a Master of Fine Arts degree from California Institute of the Arts where he studied with Edward Carroll and John Fumo; and a Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music with professor James Thompson. He is also a graduate of the Interlochen Arts Academy with Stanley Friedman.

Aaron Smith

Podcast Credits

Kate Warren Horn Interview – Horn Signal #3

Kate Warren Horn Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #3 of Horn Signal! This episode features an interview with hornist Kate Warren.

About Kate Warren

Kate Warren is an internationally acclaimed hornist and music educator. She currently serves as a College Lecturer in Music at Ocean County College and is also the featured French horn soloist for the Tony and Emmy award winning Broadway show Blast!. Additionally, Kate serves as the Social Media Coordinator for the International Horn Society. Prior to these appointments she was a Yaffe Post-Graduate Teaching Fellow for the Yale School of Music’s Music in Schools Initiative. Kate has previously toured with the Dallas Brass and held positions with the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, and the Sinfonia Gulf Coast.

As an educator Kate is passionate about creating resources for music students and works extensively within social media to promote music and music education through her instagram page @katewarrenmusic.  Recently Kate published her second book, 3 Week Fundamentals Boot Camp. Kate is an in-demand lecturer and researcher, regularly presenting  on gender and equity in brass playing as well as social media and entrepreneurship in music.

Kate Warren Links

Podcast Credits

  • “Haydn Symphony #31 “Horn Signal“, “Hornpipe” Water Music by Handel and “Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral” from Wagner’s Lohengrin
  • Audio Engineer – Preston Shepard
  • Cover Art – Meg Ryia
  • Podcast Hosts – John Snell and Preston Shepard

Scott Belck Trumpet Interview – The Other Side of the Bell #124

Scott Belck Trumpet Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #124 of The Other Side of the Bell – A Trumpet Podcast. This episode features trumpeter Scott Belck. Listen to or download the episode below:

About Scott Belck

Dr. Scott Belck currently serves as the Director of Jazz Studies and Professor of Music at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) where he directs the CCM Jazz Orchestra and teaches applied Jazz Trumpet.

He is a founding member of critically acclaimed Tromba Mundi contemporary trumpet ensemble and has toured as a member of Grammy Award winning funk legend Bootsy Collins’ Funk Unity Band as lead trumpet. He has served as trumpet and cornet soloist with the Air Force Band of Flight in Dayton, Ohio where he also held the post of musical director for the Air Force Night Flight Jazz Ensemble. He is the Founding Artistic Director Emeritus of the Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra.

 

His playing credits include recordings lead trumpet/guest soloist with the Cincinnati Pops featuring the Manhattan Transfer and John Pizzarelli, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Van Dells, and jazz soloist with the University of North Texas One O’clock Lab Band with whom he recorded four CDs as jazz soloist and section trumpet.

He has performed as principal/lead trumpet with the St. Louis Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony, the National Symphony Orchestra of the Dominican Republic, the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, the Lexington Philharmonic, the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, and as section trumpet with the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra and the Duluth Festival Opera.

He has performed as lead trumpet for shows/concerts of Christian McBride, Jimmy Heath, Aretha Franklin, Gerald Wilson, the Detroit Jazz Festival Orchestra, Linda Ronstadt, John Lithgow, Donna Summer, Maureen McGovern, Michael Feinstein, Lalo Rodriguez, Sandy Patti, Tito Puente Jr., Tommy Tune, Manhattan Transfer, Lou Rawls, Patti Austen, The Coasters, Yes, Ben Vereen, Doc Severinsen, the Temptations, Olivia Newton-John, Neil Sedaka, the Blue Wisp Big Band, the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, the Dayton Jazz Orchestra, the Ink Spots, the Four Freshmen, The Frankie Avalon, Fabian, Bobby Riddell, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Frankie Valli, The Maritime Jazz Orchestra of Canada as well as touring Broadway shows and regional and national recording sessions.

He has performed as a leader, musical director, or sideman with many top jazz players on the scene today including: Fred Hersch, Rich Perry, Adam Nussbaum, Lew Soloff, Randy Brecker, Slide Hampton, Jim McNeely, Claudio Roditi, John Riley, Rick Margitza, Bob Belden, Jimmy Heath, Bobby Watson, Tom Harrell, Tim Hagans, Regina Carter, Wes Anderson, John Hollenbeck, Steve Turre, Conrad Herwig, Gordon Brisker, Hank Marr, Marvin Stamm, Gerry Mulligan, Kenny Garrett, John Fedchock, Phil Woods, Ed Soph, John LaBarbera and Diane Schuur.

He has also served as the Artistic Director of the Dayton Jazz Orchestra, the Jazz Central Big Band, and the Miami Valley Jazz Camp in Ohio. He is the author of the text “Modern Flexibilities for Brass”, published by Meredith Music and distributed by Hal Leonard. In his spare time, he is the CEO and founder of Lip Slur World Headquarters.

Belck’s new book “Progressive Lip Flexibilities for Brass” is quickly becoming one of the most popular sarcastic lip slur books in the lower South-Central Ohio River valley region. Scott Belck is a Powell Signature Trumpet Artist.

Scott Belck Links

Podcast Credits