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Kenny Wheeler Special – The Other Side of the Bell #155

Song For Someone: The Musical Life of Kenny Wheeler. With Nick Smart & Brian Shaw.

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #155 of The Other Side of the Bell – featuring the life of trumpet composer, performer and innovator Kenny Wheeler, a conversation with biographers Nick Smart and Brian Shaw.

Kenny Wheeler has been an inspiration to trumpet players for generations, but in typical Kenny style, we haven’t known a lot about his back story, career path and personality.
Until now.
Nick Smart and Brian Shaw, trumpet trailblazers in their own right, have collaborated on a new biography of Kenny Wheeler called Song For Someone: The Musical Life of Kenny Wheeler, which draws from interviews and archival material and research to tell a compelling and touching story.
Kenny went from small town Canada to becoming one of the most influential yet enigmatic jazz musicians in Europe. Along the way, he navigated through all kinds of obstacles, personal and professional, with quiet and understated courage, to truly become a distinct performer. Kenny’s solos, improvisation and technical abilities were so unique that he garnered unmatched praise and respect as his career evolved.
And yet, underneath it all were what we would now consider mental health struggles, lack of confidence, imposter syndrome – all things that weren’t discussed or acknowledged at the time.
Those who knew Kenny personally were full of universal acclaim for his warmth, kindness and subtle humor. Brian and Nick join John Snell on today’s special episode to share some of the stories from their book, which paints a full picture of Kenny Wheeler’s life and music.

 

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In Horn Signal

John Little Horn Interview – Horn Signal #15

John Little Horn Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #15 of Horn Signal! This episode features an interview with John Little, horn soloist and teacher.

About John Little

John Little has been a touring member of the Starlight Horn Duo, been a featured artist at the Northeast Horn Workshop, a teaching clinician for the Northeast Horn Workshop, performed as a featured soloist at the KMEA, KMTA, Southern Indiana Mozart Festival, with the Jewish Community Orchestra, The Kentuckiana Philharmonic, The Christian Academy of Louisville Wind Ensemble, Featured artist/clinician at the Ohio University Horn Weekend, and most recently at Murray State University, and Campbellsville University, The University of Kentucky, Valdosta State University, The University of Illinois, and The University of Missouri at Kansas City Conservatory.

His latest solo album, Horn Evolution is on the Parma label, and can be heard on tidal, Spotify, Apple Music, and others. His previous release “Hornistic” can be heard on Spotify, and all streaming services.

Mr. Little has taught horn at Centre College, the University of Louisville Community Music Program, and has twice been artist in residence at Bellarmine University, as well as being Instructor of horn at Campbellsville University.
In 2008 he was awarded the MTNA STaR award for outstanding teaching, and is an MTNA certified Master Teacher. His former students have won positions with the orchestras of Richmond (VA), Louisville, Fort Wayne, Annapolis, Santiago Chile, The Chicago Civic, and a professorship of horn position at Campbellsville University.

John Little is a representative of Buffet Crampon USA, and is a Hans Hoyer concert artist, performing on a Meister Hans Hoyer horn, and is a Parma recording artist. He teaches modern horn, hand horn, baroque  horn, peak performance,  and performance practice.

John Little 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

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Joseph Alessi X Bob Reeves Brass Masterclass

We’re pleased to invite you to the Joseph Alessi x Bob Reeves Brass Masterclass on April 4 at the Colburn School of Music in downtown Los Angeles.

This free event is open to the public and will include a masterclass with Joseph Alessi, exhibit time with leading brass makers, and an extended Q&A session.

Schedule
1:00 PM — Vendor room opens
2:00 PM–3:30 PM — Joseph Alessi Masterclass
3:30 PM–5:00 PM — Exhibit time
5:00 PM–6:30 PM — Q&A with Joseph Alessi

Location
Mayman Recital Hall
Colburn School of Music
200 S. Grand Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90012

In the vendor room, you’ll be able to visit with Shires Trombones, Bob Reeves – Brass Ark Mouthpieces, Laskey Mouthpieces, and Brass Ark Trombones.

Parking at Colburn is limited, so we recommend parking at nearby paid lots or using rideshare or public transportation.

This program is made possible through the support of the Colburn Summer Brass Institute.

We hope to see you there!

In podcast

Kellin Hanas Trumpet Interview – The Other Side of the Bell #154

Kellin Hanas Trumpet Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #154 of The Other Side of the Bell – A Trumpet Podcast. This episode features trumpeter, composer and comedian Kellin Hanas.

It all started with a dream, at four years old: an actual dream, that sticks in her memory to this day.
Kellin Hanas is known for her social media presence, her combination of comedy and trumpet, and her recognition as a bright young star on the jazz trumpet circuit.
She joins us today to share her back story of having that first light bulb moment in a vivid dream, to then picking up the trumpet at seven years old and forcing the adults in the room to let her play it, and on through her years in elementary and high school, sharing the profound yet tragic story of her teacher and mentor. Someone who remains a tremendous influence.
Starting college at the Manhattan School of Music during the peak of COVID, Kellin navigated the bizarre and unprecedented challenges of those years with perseverance and grace, leading to professional contacts and opportunities right out of the gate.
But you probably recognize her most from her social media, which has gone viral to the tune of over 100,00 followers on Instagram and TikTok, thanks to her unique combination of professional jazz trumpet and stand-up comedy.
Learn all about the stories and inspirations that make up Kellin Hanas in this inspiring conversation!

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In podcast

Louis Dowdeswell Trumpet Interview – The Other Side of the Bell #153

Louis Dowdeswell Trumpet Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #153 of The Other Side of the Bell – A Trumpet Podcast. This episode features trumpet performer, producer and creator Louis Dowdeswell.

Louis Dowdeswell has an invitation for you, especially if you’re embarking on a career as a professional musician:
Find your Why.
It may not be as obvious as you think!
It’ll take time, hard work and introspection. But you’re a trumpet player: you already know what that’s like!
Louis joins us today for what evolves into a deep conversation with tremendous insight. This episode creeps up on you. As Louis’ stories and perspectives sink in, it’ll get you thinking.
He’s a YouTube star, founder of a successful trumpet academy, and a productive working musician. But Louis has been through his share of doubts, challenges and uncertainties – he almost gave the trumpet up in 2023.
If though you’ve ever needed inspiration to do something, to just start, and ignore what anyone might say or think about it: listen to this episode. Louis’ endearingly positive and thoughtful personality will help you along your way.
In the words of Tim McGraw: “When you get where you’re going, turn back around and take a look. Help the next one in line. Always be humble and kind.”

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In Horn Signal

Kaylet Torrez Horn Interview – Horn Signal #14

Kaylet Torrez Horn Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #14 of Horn Signal! This episode features an interview with Kaylet Torrez, member of the Pacific Symphony and LA studio hornist from Venezuela.

About Kaylet Torrez

Kaylet Torrez began her musical studies at the age of three through Venezuela’s renowned El Sistema program and started studying the horn at age eight. From 2004 to 2014, she was a member of the horn section of the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel, performing in major concert halls including the Berlin Philharmonie, Royal Albert Hall, KKL Lucerne, Beethovenhalle Bonn, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Carnegie Hall, and Teatro alla Scala, among others.

In 2014, she was appointed Principal Horn of the National Symphony Orchestra of Colombia. In 2015, she received a full scholarship to study at the Colburn School in Los Angeles with Andrew Bain.

Since 2016, Kaylet has performed with major orchestras including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, the National Arts Centre Orchestra, and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, appearing frequently as a guest principal horn. She has also toured internationally with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Pacific Symphony.

In 2018, she joined the roster of Hollywood studio musicians and has recorded for major motion pictures including The Lion King, Jumanji, Minions, Bumblebee, Predator, Aquaman, and Terminator, among others.

In 2025, Kaylet won the Associate Principal Horn audition with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. She continues to appear as a guest principal horn internationally and is regularly invited to perform at festivals and special projects.

An active educator, Kaylet has presented masterclasses and educational programs in Los Angeles (including UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music), Mexico City, and Colombia. She currently serves as Assistant Principal Horn of the Pacific Symphony, a position she has held since 2017, and maintains a private studio where she mentors young horn players in orchestral performance, studio work, and audition preparation.

Kaylet Torrez 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

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In podcast

Jay Webb Trumpet Interview – The Other Side of the Bell #152

Jay Webb Trumpet Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #152 of The Other Side of the Bell – A Trumpet Podcast. This episode features trumpet performer Jay Webb.

You might know him from TikTok, or perhaps any of the myriad projects where he appears: The Hornheads, the Cory Wong and the Wongnotes YouTube series, any number of Broadway orchestra pits, the Grammy-winning 8-Bit Big Band, or most recently his Doc Severinsen tribute project (DST Band).
Jay Webb is as versatile as they come, and today he shares his story and advice on how to forge a career in the 2020’s.
We talk about his late start in reading music, having learned to play by ear first, and then how moving to New Orleans provided a unique musical experience and education.
Jay shares insight on the balance between touring and freelancing, and that when bringing his career back to Philadelphia years later, it was thanks to having maintained connections in the music industry that he was able to quickly find more opportunities.
You never know who you might connect with and ask you to sub in for a gig, last minute. Jay shows us how to say “Yes” with confidence, and build the professional career that works for you.
Don’t let someone else define your career!

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Kyla Moscovich Trumpet Interview – The Other Side of the Bell #151

Kyla Moscovich Trumpet Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #151 of The Other Side of the Bell – A Trumpet Podcast. This episode features trumpet performer and recording artist Kyla Moscovich.

At a year old she had a trumpet in her hands, and she hasn’t looked back since!
Kyla Moscovich has built a burgeoning career that bridges classical, jazz and pop music, performing concerts all over the world and, more recently, developing her studio skills as well, on Grammy-nominated records.
She has studied with Vincent Penzarella, Mark Gould, Laurie Frink and Tom Smith, was mentored by Jon Faddis, and was on stage at Carnegie Hall while still in her teens.
Kyla’s father was close friends with Bob Reeves, and so her potential and trajectory was apparent around the shop from very early days. But, as we talk about today, the trumpet was not necessarily an automatic pursuit.
Kyla struggled to balance the expectations of practice and studying music with friends and normal kid activities, as any kid would, and we talk about what it was like growing up in that kind of environment, making the “jump into adulthood” earlier than most of us have.
Our conversation today is a fascinating glimpse into how to build a modern career in the music industry playing trumpet, not to mention how to pursue your own musical tastes, and forge a path that’s true to you.

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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!

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