In The Other Side of the Bell trumpet podcast

Tom Lawrence Trumpet Interview – The Other Side of the Bell #168

Tom Lawrence Trumpet Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #168 of The Other Side of the Bell – A Trumpet Podcast. This episode features trumpet performer, conductor, band director and soloist Tom Lawrence.

If you’re considering a dynamic, exciting and steady career in music, Tom Lawrence is here to tell us all about life as a military musician.

A seventh-grade band experience led him from cornet to a 29-year Navy career as a trumpet player and band leader, with stops in Memphis, California, Italy, and beyond. Tom talks about the mentors who shaped his playing, the leadership lessons he carried into business ownership, and the unexpected journey back to the trumpet after years away.

After retiring from the Navy, Tom did a full career shift and found himself entering the world of entrepreneurship, as founder and CEO of his own logistics company. It was challenging and rewarding experience, but as time went by, the trumpet faded further and further into memory.

Until the day came when Tom realized that the passion he had devoted so much of his life to was indeed the thing now missing from his life. In July of 2024, scarcely two years ago from our episode today, Tom had zero intention of ever playing music again on a serious level.

Now, he’s back at school, studying music at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN, and playing in the booming Nashville music scene, including with our friend Vinnie Ciesielski and The Hitmen.

How did things change so drastically?

Community, and the encouragement of friendship. Don’t discount these things! Sometimes the push we need comes from those closest to us.

Tom Lawrence is here to tell us how it all happened!

“Sometimes the best people for the job are the ones who aren’t looking to get it.” – Tom Lawrence

Listen to or download the episode below:

Continue Reading
In The Other Side of the Bell trumpet podcast

Charlie Porter Trumpet Interview – The Other Side of the Bell #167

Charlie Porter Trumpet Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #167 of The Other Side of the Bell – A Trumpet Podcast. This episode features trumpet educator, composer and performer Charlie Porter.

Charlie Porter turns a lifetime of trumpet breakthroughs, setbacks, and hard-won lessons into an absolute masterclass for us on The Other Side of the Bell: on sound, practice, endurance, and finding your own voice.

Charlie traces meeting as a kid Wynton Marsalis, backstage at a concert, which lit the fuse to a lifetime of inspiration. Yet he points out that inspiration has to be renewed constantly, not just found once.

After cruising along through high school music, Juilliard and the early years of touring, Charlie’s pursuit of a great sound without considering sustainability led to serious pain and embouchure issues, developing a blood blister and taking eight months off from playing to recover.

What followed was a total rebuild of his embouchure and approach, reshaping his ideas about oscillation and balance, and learning to understand airflow as more than just “pressure.”

Charlie tells us how transcribing, composing, and teaching has made him a better musician, and why he believes every player should save the advice they do not fully understand yet: it may come in key later!

“I love limitations. When there’s something that says, ‘No, you can’t do this,’ I say, ‘Well, how can I work around that?!'” – Charlie Porter

Listen to or download the episode below:

Continue Reading
In The Trombone Corner trombone podcast

Gerry Pagano Trombone Interview – Trombone Corner #52

Gerry Pagano Trombone Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #52 of the Trombone Corner podcast. This episode of features orchestral trombonist, arranger and composer Gerry Pagano.

From a kid digging out his dad’s old trombone case from the closet to 27 years in the St. Louis Symphony, Gerry Pagano shares the hard-won lessons, detours, and lucky breaks that shaped one of the most beloved bass trombonists in the game.

Gerry has great stories, sharp advice, and the kind of honesty only a veteran can deliver. He talks about the “practice at home” wake-up call that changed how he interacted with his fellow musicians, the teachers and colleagues who pushed him forward, and the years freelancing in Georgia, New York and San Francisco before landing the stable orchestral life he had chased.

We also dig into understanding great orchestral playing, the mindset required to thrive as a bass trombone player, and how retirement opened the door to composing, recording, and freelancing again.

And because this is Trombone Corner, there’s plenty for gear fans too: vintage Conns, a favorite Bach 42, an Edwards, contrabass adventures, and a love letter to old horns, music memories, and the sound of a truly great section.

Just a couple of the memorable quotes from Gerry:

“We gave up a really creative, interesting, humorous name for our instrument when we gave up sackbut… Imagine if you could say, ‘I play the sackbut.’ That would have a totally different impact!”

“Before you ever play an instrument, you’re a musician or you’re not. It’s inside of us… You can always learn an instrument, but music has to be a part of you to begin with.”

Continue Reading
In The Other Side of the Bell trumpet podcast

Cameron Johnson Trumpet Interview – The Other Side of the Bell #166

Cameron Johnson Trumpet Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #166 of The Other Side of the Bell – A Trumpet Podcast. This episode features performer and recording artist Cameron Johnson.

Cameron Johnson has built a dynamic career as a professional trumpeter, touring internationally, leading big bands, and working across jazz, pop, R&B, and studio sessions.

Cameron recently came off the road touring with Lenny Kravitz on his Blue Electric Light tour, and we caught up with him at his home base in Los Angeles. Which in fact relates back to a central part of his story: the move from New York to LA, forging relationships, trusting his instincts and abilities, and making himself someone in demand. He explains the difference between jazz work, commercial work, and major pop tours, and why each requires a different kind of stamina, confidence, and preparation.

We reflect on the discipline behind great playing, the realities of life on the road, staying physically and mentally prepared for demanding performances, and why genuine relationships matter as much as talent. Cameron shares how he learned trumpet mostly by ear, developed his reading later, and built a career by combining musicianship with business sense, consistency, and genuine relationships.

His core advice: talent is not enough, the real edge is learning how to out think the competition while staying honest and building trust.

I’ve  had the gift of good relationships, and I’ve always been around good people that wanted to see me do well. That’s very important when you’re  trying to make something out of any business. You have to figure out who’s for you, who’s against you, who’s going to tell you what you need to hear, who’s going to tell you why you’re not getting that call. So I’d rather be around honest people, and I try to pride myself of being honest with people too.” – Cameron Johnson

Listen to or download the episode below:

Continue Reading
In The Trombone Corner trombone podcast

Fred Wesley Trombone Interview – Trombone Corner #51

Fred Wesley Trombone Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #51 of the Trombone Corner podcast. This episode features trombonist, band leader and recording artist Fred Wesley.

He’s one of the trailblazers of funk, the man who helped define the sound of James Brown, Parliament and Funkadelic, working with Maceo Parker and Bootsy Collins, amongst so many more.

But he didn’t set out to be known as “Funky Fred.” In fact, the funk came to him very much by accident. Jazz was his first love: JJ Johnson, Kai Winding, Carl Fontana, Miles Davis – Fred knew every note Kind of Blue.

Fred Wesley joins Noah and John to talk about his path from a musically rich childhood in Mobile, Alabama to becoming one of the defining trombone voices in funk and jazz. We learn about the early gigs that shaped him, the demands of touring with Ike & Tina Turner, James Brown and George Clinton, and how he later returned to jazz and big band work.

Along the way, Fred learned tons of practical advice that he shares with younger players: learn your instrument, learn the business, and show up prepared.

Fred continues to record and tour, including shows this fall in Europe and Australia, and he shares the recent work with his Fred Wesley Generations Trio featuring Leonardo Corradi and Tony Match. Truly an inspiration to generations of musicians, and a man who put the trombone on the map!

Continue Reading
In The Other Side of the Bell trumpet podcast

Dr. Chris Keach Trumpet Interview – The Other Side of the Bell #165

Dr. Chris Keach Trumpet Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #165 of The Other Side of the Bell – A Trumpet Podcast. This episode features educator, performer and composer Dr. Christopher Keach.

How do you apply vocal warmup and training techniques to trumpet playing?

And what if it unlocks an entire new approach to practice and pedagogy?

Dr. Chris Keach traces his path from a young Long Island trumpet student to college professor at the Crane School of Music, after studying at Crane and McGill University in Montreal, and reflects on how teaching, performing, and research have all shaped his journey. The vocal training techniques he learned along the way, such as jaw and tongue mobility, vowel concepts and nasal feedback, have helped him open up his sound and stamina, and give him further tools to help his students.

We chat about shifting from lead jazz trumpet to classical solo work, choosing graduate studies, landing a college teaching job before finishing his doctorate, and why creating new music matters for the trumpet community.

Chris began commissioning more original music after realizing how much trumpet repertoire repeats the same works, and wanting to expand the literature with new and diverse voices. His current and upcoming projects include trumpet and electronics, flugelhorn solo repertoire, chamber pieces, and a benefit concert concept tied to the local humane society.

And, Chris will of course play a central role in the the inaugural Brass Summit at the Crane School in September, a weekend full of performances, exhibitors, panels, workshops, masterclasses and more. The world-renowned Seraph Brass will be present and perform a featured recital. A great event that’s making world-class performance and instruction more accessible!

When choosing schools for a doctorate: “For me personally, the teacher is the number one choice that I would make. If I can study with someone who inspires me to be there, inspires me to be better, helps me to grow into the musician I want to be, then everything else can fall into place.” – Chris Keach

Listen to or download the episode below:

Continue Reading

In The Trombone Corner trombone podcast

Callum Au Trombone Interview – Trombone Corner #50

Callum Au Trombone Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #50 of the Trombone Corner podcast. This episode features British trombonist, composer and arranger Callum Au.

It was an accident of school band placement that has led to a brilliant musical career, and brought Callum Au to our stages and speakers. Because he could reach the sixth position when other kids couldn’t, Callum’s music teacher suggested the trombone, and the rest is history.

The National Youth Jazz Orchestra gave Callum a practical education in arranging, writing around 120 charts, hearing them played immediately, and learning what worked in real time. Callum credits much of his growth not just to formal lessons, but to sitting next to experienced players like Jon Stokes and Andy Flaxman and learning from their sound, phrasing, etiquette, and professionalism. Indeed, you’ll never guess what he studied for his university degree!

Today, Callum is a leader and inspiration himself, collaborating with international artists on Grammy-winning albums, and writing and recording his own material, including the stunning new release, Sing Seven Seas.

Our conversation today also unlocks the secret of arranging and transcribing: the surest path to a sustainable, successful and influential career.

And check out the latest episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring trumpeter James Davison, a frequent collaborator with Callum Au.

Continue Reading
In The Other Side of the Bell trumpet podcast

James Davison Trumpet Interview – The Other Side of the Bell #164

James Davison Trumpet Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #164 of The Other Side of the Bell – A Trumpet Podcast. This episode features trumpet performer, band leader and recording artist James Davison.

James Davison had a misconception that trumpeters should only have one mouthpiece, that any professional should be able to do everything with only one, and if you used more you were “cheating.”

It was Chris Deacon in fact who finally asked him one day, in a moment of struggle, “ Why don’t you just try a slightly narrower mouthpiece?”

From there, a whole new world opened up.

Jim was already well on a path to building a career in music, having become enraptured by the trumpet and cornet as a child, playing Dixieland jazz with his father and learning to play by ear, and then studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Royal Academy of Music.

But sometimes, we just need a little kick, a new perspective from an outside source, to shift our understanding and mindset.

Since that crossroads, Jim has gone on to become a regular player in the British music scene, from musicals and big bands to studio sessions film soundtracks. Earlier this year, Jim released his long-awaited trumpet & bass collaboration with Misha Mullov-Abbado, “Moon Beans,” a mix of original compositions and collaborative arrangements. And he features on Callum Au’s ambitious new recording of original music, “Sing Seven Seas.”

“If you sing down the horn and you make people smile, and there’s a connection for the audience with your playing, then I think that’s the only thing that really matters.” – James Davison

In fact, Callum Au is also this month’s feature interview on The Trombone Corner podcast, so after you’ve heard Jim’s story, head over to the Corner and hear from Callum as well!

Listen to or download the episode below:

Continue Reading
In The Other Side of the Bell trumpet podcast

Liva Strazdina Trumpet Interview – The Other Side of the Bell #163

Liva Strazdina Trumpet Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #163 of The Other Side of the Bell – A Trumpet Podcast. This episode features trumpet performer, composer and recording artist Liva Strazdina.

Liva Strazdina made the decision to pursue post-secondary studies in jazz music, and had been accepted to the Carl Maria von Weber Dresden University of Music, but there remained one crucial thing that she had to tackle first:

Changing her embouchure.

She had heard the suggestions before, the recommendations to do something about it before it got worse and created excessive fatigue. But the time had come.

Liva was guided by the acclaimed yet demanding instructor Malte Burba, showing her breathing and muscle-building techniques that embraced the full body, not just the lips, mouth and lungs. Which led to Liva spending a solid three months practicing with only a mouthpiece, while her new classmates were progressing with her studies. Undoubtedly a test of perseverance and commitment!

Liva compares her training to that of an athlete, who must see the bigger picture and the ultimate trajectory, particularly during the repetitive and even painful days of practice and repetition.

Fortunately for her, and all of us, her commitment has led to a burgeoning career in jazz music, and the debut of her first album, Unbalanced, featuring a mixture of original compositions and interpretations. Listen in for a thoughtful conversation, and a thoughtful album, about trumpet, creativity, resilience, and building a life in music.

Listen to or download the episode below:

Continue Reading

In The Other Side of the Bell trumpet podcast

CJ Camerieri Trumpet Interview – The Other Side of the Bell #162

CJ Camerieri Trumpet Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #162 of The Other Side of the Bell – A Trumpet Podcast. This episode features trumpet performer, ensemble leader and recording artist CJ Camerieri.

“If you want to have a career in this, you have to know why you’re the right person to call, and why you have a skill set that’s exactly right for this particular thing. It’s hard to make a living at it if they can just hire a different person and pay ’em less.” – CJ Camerieri

Julliard grad, Grammy winner, collaborator with Bon Iver, Paul Simon, Rufus Wainwright, Sufjan Stevens, Ben Folds, Bruce Hornsby and so many more, CJ Camerieri is the personification of passion: starting piano lessons at 4 years old and never looking back.

But it’s one thing to be music-obsessed from childhood, it’s another to forge a successful, sustainable career in a cutthroat industry. Our conversation today is a fascinating and introspective look into the the business side of music: the back end, the royalties, the songwriting credits, the mindset and the versatility required to succeed and thrive.

For CJ, this has meant being adaptable, embracing different styles of music, being open to change and doing things that others may be less interested in.

But also, always, doing it for joy, not just a paycheque. You’ll rarely meet someone more passionate about trying new things and taking on new challenges. Hence the formation in 2008 of yMusic, “A chamber ensemble with a unique mission: to work on both sides of the classical/popular music divide, without sacrificing rigor, virtuosity, charisma or style.”

The threads of yMusic are woven throughout our conversation today. Transitioning to a new music scene can reignite your passion, while touring teaches practical lessons about maintaining your craft. CJ will inspire you with his insight and innovation!

Listen to or download the episode below:

Continue Reading

In The Other Side of the Bell trumpet podcast

Nick Smart Trumpet Interview – The Other Side of the Bell #161

Nick Smart Trumpet Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #161 of The Other Side of the Bell – A Trumpet Podcast. This episode features trumpet educator, conductor and performer Nick Smart.

When Nick Smart was a teenager in Toddington, England, a retired professional trumpet player bought a local pub and turned it into a venue for daily jazz performances, from big band to traditional, mainstream and more, 8 shows per week. Nick was hooked, and set off on a career in music.

But although that career has involved lots of composing, performing, touring and recording, he ultimately found his passion (and a steady gig) as an educator, eventually becoming Head of Jazz Programmes at the Royal Academy of Music in London.

Nick is thus in excellent position to give us solid advice on not just being a student in higher education, but pursuing a career as a professional music educator. Nick’s approach is carefully centred around what will ultimately be of best service to students, and understanding your role as the member of an academic department.

How do you prepare for such roles? Like any job application, do your research, read the posting carefully, and identify what they are looking for.

But for music specifically, there are further nuances. Do you understand the role and placement of the department within the broader community? What are their objectives and priorities when it comes to music education and reputation? What do they want to be known for? How would you fit into that scene?

As a student applicant, remember that a program may not be judging you so much on your ability as to how well you’ll work together with others, and integrate into the spirit of the program.

We talk about jazz education, music theory, the construct of scales and arpeggios, and understanding structure: to then dance and improvise around that structure. That’s what makes theory so fascinating.

Nick was with us recently alongside Brian Shaw, talking about their recent biography of Kenny Wheeler: Song For Someone: The Musical Life of Kenny Wheeler 

Now, they’ve each had their own spotlight on The Other Side of the Bell, make sure to check out both episodes! Brian Shaw: Versatility, Baroque Trumpet and Serendipity. Ep. 158

“As an educator, get your ego out of the way too.  It’s about the  students and it’s about their range of experience and what you’re into doesn’t have to be important. It’s only part of it.” – Nick Smart

Listen to or download the episode below:

Continue Reading