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Simon Sweeney Trumpet Interview – The Other Side of the Bell #85

Simon Sweeney – Trumpet Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #85 of The Other Side of the Bell – A Trumpet Podcast. This episode features trumpeter Simon Sweeney.

Listen to or download the episode below:

About Simon Sweeney

Simon Sweeney is a professional trumpet player and educator based in Sydney. He holds a Bachelors and a Masters degree from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. He is a studio musician and has been prolific in the live music scene since 1993. As a member of the Jazz Faculty at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music since 2010 he has taught many of the young players currently working in the Sydney scene.

Simon has appeared as guest Principal trumpet with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. Film recording credits include Happy Feet, The Great Gatsby, The Extra and The Bank.

Simon has played on over 40 professional musical theatre productions since the mid 90s. He has played lead trumpet for Michael Bublé, George Benson, Paloma Faith and Tim Minchin. As a jazz musician he has toured and recorded with Mike Nock, played with the Space Cadets, recorded with the Jazzgroove Mothership Orchestra and he is currently co-lead trumpet of the Australian National Jazz Orchestra. He has performed with Silverchair, Thirsty Merc and recorded with Powderfinger and Billy Thorpe.

Simon’s lead playing can be heard on the Netflix series Beat Bugs and Motown Magic. Simon’s own small group jazz album “Emerald City Blues” was released on the Jazzgroove label. During the lockdown he has put together a horn section called the Emerald City Horns comprising some of Sydney’s most prolific studio musicians.

Simon Sweeney Links

Podcast Credits

Danny Falcone Trumpet Interview – The Other Side of the Bell #84

Danny Falcone – Trumpet Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #84 of The Other Side of the Bell – A Trumpet Podcast. This episode features trumpeter Danny Falcone.

Listen to or download the episode below:

About Danny Falcone

Daniel Falcone began working professionally in Las Vegas at age 15. The son of Vincent Falcone, musical director, pianist and conductor for Frank Sinatra, he literally grew up on stage. Starting in high school, Daniel backed the likes of Tony Bennett, Rita Moreno, Jerry Lewis, George Burns, Andy Williams, Jack Jones, Paul Anka and many other headliners on the Las Vegas Strip.

After high school he moved to LA to attend USC and toured and played with some of the world’s finest orchestras, including the London Philharmonic. After his time at USC, Danny returned to Las Vegas, playing for many headliners and production shows until he was asked to join the Tom Jones band as the lead trumpet player in 1998. After a 2 year world tour, Dan returned to Las Vegas to perform in a Ricky Martin production, “Storm”, at the Mandalay Bay Hotel. The musical director was Jerry Lopez, leader of the iconic band Santa Fe. A few years later Dan joined Santa Fe and the Fat City Horns and has been with the band ever since.

Two years later, Dan joined Paul Anka full-time and toured for many years playing split-lead, then lead trumpet, recording two albums and a DVD. He then joined the Las Vegas production of Broadway Musical “Hairspray”.

Danny with Celine Dion and members of the band.

Dan performed with Toni Braxton for more than a year before joining the Las Vegas production of Broadway hit “Jersey Boys”. At this same time, Dan was hired to perform with Bette Midler (The Showgirl Must Go On), for her two and half year run at the Colosseum at Caesar’s Palace culminating in an HBO concert performance. For the last ten years, Dan has been the lead trumpet player for Celine Dion both in Las Vegas and around the world on tour.

Daniel has most recently been hired to play lead trumpet with Lady Gaga on her new Jazz and Piano show.

Danny recording on Kanye West’s session.

TV credits include Late Night with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The American Country Music Awards, The Billboard Music Awards, The American Music Awards, Lionel Richie and Friends, The American Country Music Awards, The Latin Grammys, The Michael Parkinson Show on BBC, The BET Awards, Men Strike Back on VH1, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The View, The Today Show, Good Morning America and has been a member of the Jerry Lewis Telethon Orchestra. Dan has also performed and recorded with many artists including Alicia Keys, Kenny Loggins, Luis Miguel, Christopher Cross, D’Angelo, Blood, Sweat and Tears, Bill Champlin, Cheap Trick, Gladys Knight, Patti Austin, Martin Nievera, Frankie Valli, Vince Gill, Victor Manuelle, Destiny’s Child, Hunter Hayes, Big and Rich, Barry Manilow, Lionel Richie, Aretha Franklin, Brian Bromberg, Jennifer Nettles, Ricky Martin, Gloria Estefan, Jordan Sparks, Frank Sinatra Jr., Jon Secada, Gino Vannelli, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Hugh Jackman and Maren Morris, Dwight Yoakam and most recently recorded for Kanye West’s new album “Jesus is King” performed at Lincoln Center with Kanye West’s Opera “Mary”.

Danny Falcone Links

Podcast Credits

Morris Northcutt Trumpet Interview – The Other Side of the Bell #83

Morris Northcutt – Trumpet Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #83 of The Other Side of the Bell – A Trumpet Podcast. This episode features trumpeter Morris Northcutt.

Listen to or download the episode below:

About Morris Northcutt

Morris Northcutt’s playing has been described as artistic, lyrical and expressive with a beautiful, smooth, and rich tone.

At home in all musical styles from swing to Broadway to classical, this Global Music Award Winner and Bach Conn-Selmer Solo Performing Artist has shared the stage with a wide range of performance groups from Mannheim Steamroller, Critical Mass Big Band, The Blues Brothers Reunion Band, Puget Brass, and the Tacoma Concert Band to the Seattle Symphony Chamber Orchestra, Breath of Aire, and the Tacoma Symphony.  Morris has even performed the National Anthem for the Seattle Mariners Baseball Team.

After experiencing several unexpected personal losses and having taken nearly 12 years off from focused attention to the trumpet, Morris began a systematic approach to his practice sessions to not only bring back his playing but to take it to the next level.  Focusing on his purpose led to an explosion on social media interested in his sound, style, and phrasing.  This newly found attention helped launch his freelance career as a soloist and clinician, taking him across the globe from the Pacific Northwest to Canada, South America and Europe.

In 2019, Morris completed a solo recital/masterclass tour of Ireland that included an appearance at the Royal Irish Academy of Music.  This past January, he appeared at the 2020 Sao Paulo Trumpet Academy in Brazil. Later this year, Morris will debut his first EP, produced and engineered by Latin Grammy Award winner Danilo Alvarez with arrangements by Justo Morao.

Despite all his performance engagements, Morris is still closely tied to his home state of Washington.  As a local business owner, he is involved in the community life of his native town of Tacoma, serving on community boards and spending as much time as possible at home with his eleven-year-old twins and his wife, Lavonne.

Morris is a Bach Conn-Selmer Solo Performing Artist and Clinician regularly sharing his passion for music in schools and in both pro and amateur ensembles.

Morris Northcutt Links

Podcast Credits

Karl Sievers Trumpet Interview – The Other Side of the Bell #82

Karl Sievers – Trumpet Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #82 of The Other Side of the Bell – A Trumpet Podcast. This episode features trumpeter Karl Sievers.

Listen to or download the episode below:

Visit the Bill Adam Facebook Group to take part in the 6th Annual William Adam Trumpet Festival!

About Karl Sievers

Dr. Karl Sievers enjoys a successful and varied performance career, having performed in countless studio sessions, on live television, in jazz ensembles, chamber music of all kinds, solo recitals, and in symphony orchestras.

Karl is principal trumpet for the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and the Norman Philharmonic, part of the Oklahoma City Jazz Orchestra, and he performs with local groups the Frontier Brass Band and the Opulent Brass Quintet. He has performed with artists such as Doc Severinsen, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder and Al Jarreau.

Karl Sievers has been a professor at The University of Oklahoma since 1999 and was named the 2017 Irene and Julian J. Rothbaum Presidential Professor of Excellence in the Arts at the University of Oklahoma Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts.

A student of William Adam at Indiana University, Karl has been instrumental in hosting and organizing the International William Adam Trumpet Festival. The 6th Annual festival will be from June 18-20, 2020 and held online on the the Bill Adam Facebook Group, where all the masterclasses will be available to view free of charge.

Karl Sievers Links

Podcast Credits

Matthias Höfs Trumpet Interview – The Other Side of the Bell #81

Matthias Höfs Trumpet Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #81 of The Other Side of the Bell – A Trumpet Podcast. This episode features trumpeter Matthias Höfs.

Listen to or download the episode below:

About  Matthias Höfs

When he was six years old, Matthias Hoefs declared the trumpet “his instrument, because it shines so nicely”. He received his musical education from Professor Peter Kallensee at the Hamburg University of Music and Theatre, and from Profes- sor Konradin Groth at the Karajan Academy of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. When just 18 years of age, he was engaged as Solo-Trumpeter at the Philharmonic State Orchestra in Hamburg, where he enjoyed the fascinating world of opera for 16 years.

At the same time, Hoefs became a member of the GERMAN BRASS Ensemble, with whom he continues to achieve worldwide success. Since their first joint concert in 1985, he writes for himself and his colleagues tailored arrangements which span more then one genre and continue to inspire the world of Brass.

Matthias Hoefs has always shown a pioneering spirit, and thus has consistently widened the horizon of his instrument, either by close cooperation with other composers, who feel themselves inspired by his incomparable virtuosity and joy of experimentation, or as “trumpet ambassador” in his home state of Schleswig- Holstein in northern Germany, or in cooperation with the instrument makers Max and Heinrich Thein.

Since the year 2000, Matthias Hoefs has been teaching as Professor at the Hamburg University of Music and Theatre, were he inspires his students with great enthusiasm, knowing how to pass on his passion for his instrument. In addition to his extensive concert performances as solo-trumpeter and chamber musician, Hoefs has produced numerous Solo CDs, and jointly with GERMAN BRASS, more than 20 recordings.

In October 2016 GERMAN BRASS was awarded with the ECHO Klassik – one of the most outstanding awards for national and international musicians.

Matthias Höfs Links

Podcast Credits

Jim Manley Trumpet Interview – The Other Side of the Bell #80

Jim Manley – Trumpet Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #80 of The Other Side of the Bell – A Trumpet Podcast. This episode features trumpeter Jim Manley.

Listen to or download the episode below:

About Jim Manley

Jim Manley figures he has spent around 10,500 plus nights playing his trumpet around town in his hometown of St. Louis since the 70’s.

His recordings have gathered critical acclaim as well and have traveled all over the world. Jim’s forays into the stratosphere are musically exciting and unbelievable to his peers. 

In the past few years he has branched out as a band leader, composer, and clinician.Jim has been featured as a guest soloist with many bands across the country, including as a featured soloist at the annual Trumpet Party in Amsterdam in 2006. 

Jim’s group Horns in the House” was the opening act for the legendary Maynard Ferguson. Every year Jim headlines at “Jazz at the Bistro” one of the foremost jazz clubs in the country to sell out crowds.

His approach to brass playing has gained world-wide attention via his many students and now several youtube clips. Jim is a clinician and teaches players of all ages in his teaching studio at home and via Skype worldwide.

Jim Manley Links

Podcast Credits

Bria Skonberg Trumpet Interview – The Other Side of the Bell #79

Bria Skonberg – Trumpet Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #79 of The Other Side of the Bell – A Trumpet Podcast. This episode features trumpeter Bria Skonberg.

Listen to or download the episode below:

About Bria Skonberg

Photo by Krista Stucchio

To most of us, the adventures of trailblazing triple threat trumpeter, singer and songwriter Bria Skonberg are borderline unbelievable. Born in British Columbia, Canada and now residing in New York City, the Juno Award winner for Best Vocal Jazz Album has performed hundreds of festivals and stages the world over, including New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, Newport Jazz Festival and Montreal Jazz Festival.

Called the “shining hope of hot jazz” by the NY Times, Bria has been at the forefront of a revival of classic American music as both a performer and educator, programming concerts and workshops for students of all ages; She is currently developing educational activities for the Louis Armstrong House Museum and co-directs the New York Hot Jazz Camp she co-founded in 2015.

“Nothing Never Happens” Album by Bria Skonberg

Described as “one of the most versatile and imposing musicians of her generation” (Wall Street Journal), she has performed the music of Aretha Franklin alongside Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child, played with U2 at the Apollo, sat in with the Dave Matthews band, was a featured guest with Jon Batiste and sang the “Star Spangled Banner” at Madison Square Garden for a NY Rangers game.

Bria has been featured on over 25 recordings and recently released her sixth studio solo album “Nothing Never Happens”. Her music has garnered over 10 million streams online.  A 6x Downbeat Rising Star, she tours constantly bringing her own signature sounds of fiery trumpet playing, smoky vocals and story-telling together with adventurous concoctions of classic and new.  Bria is a Bach Conn-Selmer artist; she plays a Bach Stradivarius 37 with a 3C Bach mouthpiece.

Bria Skonberg Links

Podcast Credits

Christopher Still & Honesty Pill Interview – The Other Side of the Bell #78

Christopher Still – Trumpet Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #78 of The Other Side of the Bell – A Trumpet Podcast. This episode features trumpeter and Honesty Pill founder, Christopher Still.

Listen to or download the episode below:

About Christopher Still

Honesty Pill founder Christopher Still joined the Los Angeles Philharmonic as Second Trumpet in 2007.

Before coming to California, he was the Principal Trumpet of the Colorado Symphony. He has also held the positions of Associate Principal Trumpet of the Dallas Symphony and Principal Trumpet of the Charleston (SC) Symphony. Additionally, Christopher has served as Assistant Principal Trumpet with the Grant Park Festival Orchestra in Chicago’s Millennium Park and Guest Principal with the St. Louis Symphony.

Christopher has recorded extensively with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Grant Park, Dallas, and Albany symphony orchestras. Active in the Hollywood recording studios, he can be heard on major motion picture and television soundtracks. He is a Yamaha Artist, a dedicated educator, and an active clinician.

Christopher Still Links

Podcast Credits

David Elton Trumpet Interview – The Other Side of the Bell #77

David Elton – Trumpet Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #77 of The Other Side of the Bell – A Trumpet Podcast. This episode features trumpeter David Elton.

Listen to or download the episode below:

About David Elton

David Elton is recognised as one of the world’s most sought-after trumpet players.

Principal Trumpet of the London Symphony Orchestra since December 2017 and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra since 2011, David is also a trumpet professor at the Royal College of Music in London, and a member of the Australian National Academy of Music brass faculty in Melbourne.

As a soloist, David has performed Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto in Vietnam with the London Symphony Orchestra, given the world-premiere of James Ledger’s Trumpet Concerto (a work that was written for him) with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, as well as performing other concerti with various orchestras including the Sydney and Canberra Symphony Orchestras, and the Australian Chamber Orchestra.

Prior to his LSO and SSO appointments, David Elton was Principal Trumpet with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra (2005-2011) and the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (2000-2004).  He has also performed as a Guest Principal Trumpet with the New York Philharmonic, Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Mahler Chamber Orchestra, Australian Chamber Orchestra, the Australian World Orchestra and the Hong Kong Philharmonic.

David is an active chamber musician, most recently giving the world premiere of David Sampson’s Memories to Keep Awhile at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music. He is a founding member of the Australian Brass Quintet with whom he regularly tours throughout Australia and beyond.

David has recently given masterclasses in London, Paris, Madrid, Houston, Aarhus, Karlskona, as well as Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide.  A frequent tutor of the Australian Youth Orchestra, he was also Artist in Residence and the 2019 AYO National Music Camp.

David began learning the trumpet at the age of nine, later studying with Paul Goodchild in Sydney.  He gained a Bachelor of Music degree from the Queensland Conservatorium (where he studied with Yoram Levy) and was recipient of the Conservatorium Medal. He furthered his studies with Charles Geyer and Barbara Butler, graduating with a master’s degree in performance from Northwestern University, Illinois, USA in 1999.

David Elton Links

Podcast Credits

Gary Guthman Trumpet Interview – The Other Side of the Bell #76

Gary Guthman – Trumpet Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #76 of The Other Side of the Bell – A Trumpet Podcast. This episode features trumpeter Gary Guthman.

Listen to or download the episode below:

About Gary Guthman

Originally from Portland Oregon, Gary Guthman started his career at the age of nine. As a young teen, Gary was a member of the nationally acclaimed “Seldom Six” Dixieland Band, comprised of 12 to 14 years old who traveled the United States performing stage shows and conventions, playing, singing and tap-dancing all the way. Throughout Gary’s high school and college years, he performed with jazz and rock and roll bands and at 17 years old, auditioned for the acclaimed Portland (Oregon) Youth Orchestra; the oldest of its kind in the United States.

Gary played principal trumpet and in his last year with the PYO, performed as soloist with the orchestra, the only trumpet player in its history (to date) to achieve that acclaim. Mr. Guthman was fortunate to study trumpet for the first 15 of his playing years. His teachers were Jack Dalby, Joyce Johnson, James Smith and the recently retired (after 38 years!) Principal trumpet of the Oregon Symphony – Fred Sautter. After attending Portland State University, Gary was pleased to do short stints with the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra (lead by Lee Castle), Stan Kenton Orchestra, Don Ellis Orchestra and the Louis Bellson Orchestra. In the early 1980’s, Gary Guthman moved to Canada. Within the next few years, he became known as one of Canada’s premier lead and commercial trumpeters, playing on over 100, televised “ITV IN Concert” performances as well as numerous radio shows, jingles, movie sound tracks and in concert. Gary performed on television with Tom Jones, Paul Anka, directed the jazz program at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver and formed his renowned “Tribute Orchestra”. 1995 saw the inception of Gary Guthman’s hit show “A Tribute to Harry James”, followed by the creation of his” Trumpet Greats” in 1998, “Swingmatism!” in 2004 and in 2007 for Internationally renowned harpist Małgorzata Zalewska, his critically acclaimed “Master and Margarita”. From 1998-2001, Gary was the Musical Director and starred in the North American Musical Theatre Revue “Forever Swing and won a distinguished Canadian “Jesse” Award.

In 2004, Gary debuted by personal invitation at Carnegie Hall with the New York Pops, conducted by Skitch Henderson.

Since moving to Central Europe, Gary has given hundreds of concerts with his “Gary Guthman Quartet” and “The New Swing Orchestra”, as well as Symphonic Pops concerts. In 2011, Gary released his next CD entitled “Solar Eclipse” on the Polski Radio Jazz Label, featuring his quartet of world-class Polish jazz artists Filip Wojciechowski/piano, Paweł Pańta/Bass, Cezary Konrad/Drums. Gary Guthman is the only non-Polish jazz artist to release his own CD in the 95-year history of Polish Radio. In 2014, along with his co-writer Doman Nowakowski, Gary composed the Libretto, Music and Lyrics for a new musical entitled “Letter from Warsaw”.

In 2015, Gary began an association as Producer and Composer for vocal star Sasha Strunin. Their first Cd project “Woman in Black” was completed in 2016 to critical acclaim in Poland. Her new Album – “Self-Portraits” features the compositions of Gary Guthman and the poetry of renowned Polish poet, Miron Białoszewski, was released in Warsaw on June 21, 2019.

Gary Guthman Links

Podcast Credits

Tom Clary Trumpet Interview – The Other Side of the Bell #75

Tom Clary – Trumpet Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #75 of The Other Side of the Bell – A Trumpet Podcast. This episode features trumpeter and founder of Clary Woodmutes, Tom Clary.

Listen to or download the episode below:

About Tom Clary

Tom Clary is a freelance trumpet-player/composer/arranger/woodworker/mute-maker and sometimes-attorney living in Memphis, Tennessee.  Tom was born in Northern Ireland, grew up in South Arkansas and moved to Memphis, Tennessee in 1989 to study Jazz Composition at Memphis State University.

In 1991, Tom won a NARAS Student Grammy for his composition “Ludicrous Dreams” and dropped out of school to pursue a music career, playing mostly in the house band at B.B. King’s Blues Club on Beale Street, freelancing, doing session work, working as an audio engineer, writing library music and horn arrangements, and writing show-music for marching band.

Tom eventually finished his music degree in 2002 and went on to complete a law degree at the University of Memphis in 2005. He practiced law full-time for approximately 13 years.  He still maintains a very-small law practice, but has returned to play and write music full-time, while making and selling trumpet mutes out of wood in his garage.

Tom Clary Links

Podcast Credits

Nathan Samuelson Trumpet Interview – The Other Side of the Bell #74

Nathan Samuelson – Trumpet Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #74 of The Other Side of the Bell – A Trumpet Podcast. This episode features trumpeter Nathan Samuelson.

Listen to or download the episode below:

About Nathan Samuelson

If you ever have the opportunity to see Nathan Samuelson perform, prepare to be taken on a musical odyssey. His music is imbued with wanderlust —inspired by years at sea and a careful balancing act between new horizons and the love of home. Audiences are sonically teleported to the tropical shores of Brazil, the cosmopolitan streets of New York, and the old world sophistication of Europe. Despite the many nautical miles he’s logged, his music maintains the wholesome honesty of his prairie boyhood. That sweet earnestness and approachability is what turns audiences of strangers into loyal fans. 

The youngest son of an esteemed trumpet player and band teacher father, as well as a gentle and beloved flautist/pianist mother, Nathan seemed predestined to play since birth. His passion for trumpet became evident as a small boy, when upon listening to “Feel So Good” by Chuck Mangione he proclaimed that no matter the obstacle he would become a world class trumpet player. On his musical pilgrimage, he has studied under master teachers such as Dominic Spera [Indiana University], and Terell Stafford [Temple University -Philadelphia]. A devotee of Clifford Brown, he attends the Clifford Brown Trumpet Consortium each summer, receiving a full scholarship in 2018. 

Mentoring under international trumpeter and producer Gary Guthman, Nathan has developed a strong career as a guest entertainer on cruise ships. With a singing voice reminiscent of the crooners of yonder days, and the technical prowess and emotive ability on trumpet, Nathan brings a captivating and melodic sound to the stage. 

He has graced stages in exotic locales such as Brazil, Croatia, Italy, Greece, France, Portugal, England, Spain and more. To add, he shared these stages with world class artists like late soul icon Clem Curtis [The Foundations] of “Build Me Up, Buttercup” fame. He has also performed with Leanne Mitchell, winner of the first series of The Voice UK, and international soul singer, Lloyd Wade. In his home community of Edmonton, Alberta he is often found volunteering his talent for children and youth, as well as people living with disability. When not volunteering, he can be found performing as a guest artist on cruise ships, and performing with his own quintet at various jazz festivals and corporate events. 

After nearly twenty-two years of honing his craft and cultivating his passion, Nathan Samuelson launched his debut album City Lights Ahead [August 2018]. Inspired by his journey as a young man searching for love, for meaning, and for himself across the globe, City Lights Ahead is a brilliantly crafted, genre-bending love letter to the open sea, the close-knit family that uplifts him, and the starry embrace of the shore after a dark, stormy night.

Nathan Samuelson Links

Podcast Credits