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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:

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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

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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:

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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

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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:

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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

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