All Posts By

Ted Cragg

In podcast

José Hernández Trumpet Interview – The Other Side of the Bell #150

José Hernández Trumpet Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #150 of The Other Side of the Bell – A Trumpet Podcast. This episode features Mariachi trumpet performer and recording artist José Hernández.

Few people have had a greater impact on Mariachi music over the past 50 years than José Hernández, and today José joins us to share his musical upbringing, his influences and education, his passion for education and some very interesting insights on balancing a professional music career with business ventures, such as his restaurants.
José is a composer, arranger, performer and recording artist, including being a key musical coordinator on Linda Ronstadt’s landmark 1987 Spanish album, Canciones de Mi Padre, where he helped guide her pronunciation and the Mariachi direction of the music.
Plus, he continues to inspire younger generations through his educational programs, and founding two world-famous ensembles: Mariachi Sol de México®, and Reyna de Los Ángeles®, America’s first all-female professional mariachi ensemble.
José is, relatively speaking, just down the road from us here at Bob Reeves Brass in Valencia, CA, so if you’re in LA make sure to drop by both our shop and the Casa del Sol Cocina down in Irvine, for amazing food and entertainment! On Saturdays, the master could be there himself!

Listen to or download the episode below:

Continue Reading

In podcast

Johnny Thirkell Trumpet Interview – The Other Side of the Bell #149

Johnny Thirkell Trumpet Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #149 of The Other Side of the Bell – A Trumpet Podcast. This episode features trumpet performer and recording artist Johnny Thirkell.

Johnny Thirkell is the proverbial musician whom you’d innocently walk past on the street, having no idea that he was the trumpet sound behind hundreds of distinctive hit records, everyone from Jamiroquai to George Michael, Pet Shop Boys (Go West), Katrina and the Waves (Walking on Sunshine), Natalie Imbruglia (Torn), BTS (Dynamite) and so many more. 38 number one records in fact.
Johnny’s played and/or toured with Level 42, Tina Turner, Lisa Stansfield, Kylie Minogue, Bjork, Chaka Khan, Bon Jovi, The Who, Rick Astley (at the height of his prime), and played at the Prince’s Trust multiple times.
It’s not all pop music either, Johnny’s played with the Gil Evans Orchestra, the Buddy Rich Orchestra and the BBC Radio Big Band.
So, how did he do it?
Johnny’s here to tell the story of how he went from a potential coal mining career to gracing the stage at Wembley, with along the way a regular gig on the QE2 and oh, helping discover the Spice Girls too.
And of course we talk trumpet gear and technique, including life-changing lessons from Carmine Caruso and the difference that playing a gold-plated trumpet made to a commercial jingle!

Listen to or download the episode below:

Continue Reading