Winter Aussie Tours

I'm heading back 'down under' (where it's actually Summer!) to join with Jay Hoad for some significant upcoming shows and concerts.

This first show at The Gov will be a reunion of Jay's full band, which also secured a few major Australian Festivals scheduled this March, including the Fringe Festival and Womadelaide World Music Festival. In between I'll be performing smaller venues with Jay in duo and trio formats. Then we'll be caravaning out to Western Australia. Wow. Keep up with the entire tour schedule at Jay Hoad's web site.

New CDs

I know I haven't posted in a while; I'll call this a 2011 wrap-up post.
It's been a great year for gigging and I was also able to add several new albums to my (limited) discography:

We recorded the Bullbuckers debut CD at Milkboy Recording studios in Philadelphia under the production guidance of Grammy winner Tim Sonnefeld. I wrote the horn arrangements and had a hand in a few of the original creations as well. Click the image to see all the album artwork. Click HERE to order your personal copy.

Jay Hoad finally released his second album this year, which was recorded at Deep Blue Studios in Australia. As opposed to his first album where I had full participation I'm only on the first track here, but it's a killer! Listen to me on 'Windy Creek' at this page. Click HERE to purchase the US import or download tracks.

This last CD was just released by my jazz/funk group The Larks recorded live at last year's Rehoboth Jazz Festival. Click the image to see all the album artwork, which was handled by Grammy winner Jack Frisch. Go HERE to listen to the CD in it's entirety and purchase a copy, along with other cool offerings by The Larks.

I Remember Clifford

I was contacted and interviewed by the Wilmington News Journal to get some quotes from a "notable Delaware trumpeter" regarding the upcoming Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, held every year in June.
The article was published in today's editions; two different on-line versions can be viewed HERE and HERE

This is really quite a nice festival, not all dumbed down to a smooth jazz event like so many these days. And all the concerts are free.

Clifford was born and lived in Wilmington and I've been gigging up that way quite a bit lately. The festival in his name has honored his legacy for the past 22 years.

Versatility

Two new slide shows illustrating a Jekyll and Hyde type of trumpet performance transition in the same day:

Day:  Elkton, MD - performing original ska with the Bullbuckers at the RamJam festival. Think hippie girls in bikini tops with hula hoops:

(Wanna see videos of our RamJam performance? LOOK HERE)

Night:  Ocean City, MD - performing a 20's show with Pam Miller at a Rotary Convention. Think attentive, dressed up mature types:

New Australian Tour

Just announced! Returning for my fourth jaunt down under to perform with Jay Hoad, in support of his new CD "Stories For The Soul". Shows are scheduled at the Fringe Festival and various venues around South Australia. Here's the lineup so far:

• 2/25 - The Oriental (Norwood)
  
• 2/26 - Bay Bar Dos (Glenelg, afternoon show)
  
• 2/26 - Crown & Sceptre (Fringe Festival show)
• 2/27 - Seacliff Beach (Seacliff)
  
• 2/28 - The Jetty (Glenelg)
  
• 3/3 - The Haus (Hahndorf)
  
• 3/4 - Komodo (Fringe Festival show)
• 3/5 - Komodo (Fringe Festival show)
• 3/6 - Red Poles Winery (McLaren Vale)

By the way, The first single from Jay's CD has been released and is available as a FREE download. Recommended. Go HERE to fetch it.

Rams Head Live

I was pretty fatigued after our NYE extravaganza but had to head to Baltimore for a Bullbuckers New Year's Day show at Rams Head Live to open for the Pietasters.
This embedded video is a playlist of our eleven song set that night:

Update 5/1/11: Most of the vids from this playlist have been removed from public consumption for reasons I won't get into. I think there are a couple left. I might just delete this entire post soon.

Happy New Year

Had a swell time this year, thanks to the Bullbuckers and Dogfish.
(For contrast, to see what my last New Year's consisted of look HERE)


We were privileged to be the featured performers at Dogfish Head. Thanks to the Discovery Channel's Brewmaster series, Dogfish has become quite the destination! Dogfish served us a five-course gourmet meal that featured a unique beer paired with every course.

Here's a video link to the New Years countdown (and Auld Anxiety).
We surely didn't disappoint as we're booked to perform there again several more times in 2011. It's worth checking out.

Trpt Lesson

Here I am setting up for a two hour lesson with Roger Ingram:

A bit of a confession: This was my first private lesson since high school! Even though I've been a busy trumpet player since then I never pursued any additional coaching. I knew how to play and was plenty successful as a trumpeter, plus I was somewhat preoccupied with pursuing a professional career outside of music. I eventually came to realize I had developed a few bad habits that I guess went unnoticed because I had plenty of "head room" to effectively compensate for my evolving deficiencies.

I saw Roger give a masterclass at Maryland Trumpet Day last month. I could relate to his approach to the embouchure and blowing and thought I might be able to benefit more from a personal session. He returned to the area to host a clinic at Washington Music Center (Chuck's) and we arranged to meet there.

Bottom line: I was prescribed heaps of remedial work! Yes, Clarke and Schlossberg are back on the stand in my studio and I'm to approach them with soft, determined finesse. My sister Justine dropped by to crash the end of our session and quickly stepped up to reinforce everything that Roger was recommending for me. We had a good, productive trumpet hang.

Justine is a great pro trumpet player in the D.C. area. I'll maybe dedicate a full post to her in the future. Roger is very impressive too. Definitely check his site out and consider setting up your own private lesson the next time he's in your area.

Poland in Philly

Had to blog about this show I played Saturday night... It was a last minute show arranged by our guitarist Jesse. Apparently his neighbor is involved with the venue.

This charming restaurant and nightspot is in the middle of a Polish neighborhood in Philadelphia. When we got there I couldn't quite overcome my initial impression of "Polish Mafia" but it couldn't have been nicer. There were a few guys who helped us move our gear in and made sure that we were accommodated in every way. Everybody in the place spoke Polish, except when they were speaking with us. I had a nice selection of Polish beers and home cooked food.

After we got down to business I could sense that we weren't quite what they expected. On our set break they even said as much to us but also indicated that they liked it anyway ("is it ska mixed with jazz?"). We wound up playing well past the legal closing time.

Check out these links for a few more reviews of this eclectic place:
Philly Food Guys blog
Yelp.com reviews
Philly Phoodie blog

Trombone Shorty

Trombone Shorty's career is on a rocket ship trajectory. Literally. And I am a total fan. Do yourself a favor and check him out.

I've now had the distinct privilege of sharing the stage with this prodigy three times in 2010 already (we're planning for a potential fourth). The photo above was taken in the "green room" after our performance at the Bottle and Cork with his band and the Bullbuckers last month, who might just be his favorite local support band!

Additional photo links for our combined shows:
● 605 Market Street, Wilmington, DE -- 2/26/10
● Bottle & Cork, Dewey Beach, DE -- 8/15/10
● Light Up The Queen Foundation -- 9/24/10

Check out this brief clip of Troy's wicked trpt notes at our last show:

Summer Madness

"A trumpet man possessed"

*click the photo for the zoomed version*

The tally: (see the details at my constantly updated gig schedule)

● June: 21 shows
● July: 25 shows
● August: 29 shows

These are personal records for me. It is a direct result of hard work on the horn along with successful networking - but also not learning how to say "no" when it might have been in my best interests!

(I think I can lay claim to being the hardest working trpt player in the area this season - higher gig totals if I could have cloned myself!)

PS: -"Summer Madness" is by Kool and The Gang. Check out the live version, released in 1976. Awesome.

Rehoboth Bandstand

On a hot August night, the second of three gigs that day...

Jay Hoad Summer 2010 Tour

I'll be filling this post with a few mementos from our collaboration this summer of a very successful tour with Jay. Some info is also available now on Jay's blog. Stop back for updates!

3rd Friday

In Salisbury, MD. A nice monthly event similar to what other small communities are doing. Here are photos of the last one which featured a robust outdoor performance by The Larks

Update 1/25/11: Video has just surfaced of that 3rd Friday event so I embedded it here. It features some relaxed trumpet playing.

Cherry Poppin'

...Daddies that is.

Great show last night and great getting to meet and hang with those guys in our meager Green Room accommodations.

Of course, I told them I've been covering "Zoot Suit Riot" in my society band ("Images") for years. They only became impressed when they came to understand I had transcribed it myself and cover it in their original key. Apparently there are stock charts out in the wild that are in a different (easier) key. Good times!

New Larks Photos

I performed a couple of back to back shows with The Larks on 3/10. First at the local mall in support of the current US Census promotion, then on to our local bar haunt. We had a professional photographer along for the ride (SDMI). Check out his handiwork:

• Salisbury Centre
• Market Street Inn

PS, The Larks get a nice mention at afterthegoldrush

Goin' To Jamaica

That's right, leaving this weekend. We'll be following along with the lyrics of Jay Hoad's song of the same title - everything except the hurricane bit I hope. Click below to listen to Jay's epic composition (which features my ripping trumpet solo at the end):
UPDATE 3/7/10: Just returned from a fantastic trip. I didn't realize that I had been waiting my whole life to go to Jamaica. Lots of sun and good times along with moments of discovery and inspiration. Highly recommended. **click here for random trip photos**

Red Clay

Found an old DVD a friend made of a fun bar gig I did in Ocean City, Maryland a few years back. I ripped this cut from it the best I could.


More videos are posted at The Lark's YouTube Channel

This Time It's Real

Last week I made a fun, funny (ha-ha) post about shoveling 12+ inches of snow, quite a rarity around these parts.
Fast forward to the "Blizzard of 2010". 25+ inches officially. Oh my...
Yes, hand shoveled again. And now I feel like an old man...
Click here for an even better photo slide show of the blizzard.
(apologies again to Tower Of Power)

UPDATE 2/11/10: Another blizzard with 12+ inches yesterday, this time with massive, deep drifts. I got it cleared but am too tired to take any more photos or video. Just imagine the photos above with heaps more snow and bigger mounds about the driveway. Craziness.
(Gig last night scuttled but I should be able to make my 2/13 show).

Charlie Hunter

Went out to see Charlie Hunter fronting his current trio last night with Pete and Dave, my mates from The Larks. The venue was the NightCat in Easton, MD - a very intimate, acoustical setting.

For those unfamiliar with Mr. Hunter he plays a unique custom stringed instrument. The bottom three strings are bass and the top four strings are guitar. To say that he has mastered it would be an understatement. Click Charlie's picture for a better look >>>

I decided to blog about this because of his latest project which features a horn section of two trombones and a trumpet. Utilizing brass is a first for Charlie. It's a very creative and enjoyable listen (he's currently touring with 1/3 of the horn section). I'm holding the new CD in the picture below but it got cut off at the bottom.

You're Still a Young Man

12+ inches of snow last night on Delmarva...
...hand shoveled.
(apologies to Tower Of Power)

The Note

Bullbuckers recently played a show at The Note in West Chester, PA
A kind fan took a few photos and posted them:

Bullbuckers (Jan 02 2010)

They're pretty nice shots - big cheers to Greg.
I made this blog post just so I could save the link somewhere!

Theatre of the Living Arts

Photo slide show from the Bullbuckers performance in Philadelphia on December 21, opening for The Slackers


Our show was delayed by one day, courtesy of the giant snowstorm that rolled up the East Coast that weekend. Still, quite a few people came out. Good times.

Twenty years ago...

Newspaper clipping of me that I decided to scan before it totally disintegrated (note the date - click image to enlarge).
Besides me, the Shore Jazz All-Stars included Lenny Grazier, Bill Nelson and Jackie Mofitt. Lenny and Bill are long deceased; 'survivors' from an earlier jazz era. I learned a lot from them.


This is a photo of me with Lenny and Jackie at another festival a few years later (I think - not really sure of the date on this one).

Bullbuckers

New band for me. First show last night. Have a look...

I'll also be participating in the Bullbuckers debut CD which will feature Kirk Joseph on Sousaphone as part of our horn section.

'No-No Nonette' at the Avalon Theatre

This Halloween I did a show at the Avalon Theatre in Easton, MD.
It's a live-to-air variety radio show called Radio From Downtown, loosely affiliated with NPR. Click the link to learn more about it.
(The guy holding the 'applause' sign is Van Williamson, the band guitarist and show producer).

Anyway, the gig is basically a run-through in the afternoon followed by a dinner break and then the show that night. I'm in the house band (called the 'No-No Nonette'). We play a bunch of interludes and the like, plus get a few featured numbers. Not my usual kind of gig but I'm not knocking the variety and I always like a challenge.

So for your critique I'm posting links to four of the featured tunes we performed (mp3 format), excerpted from the live radio feed that went out that night - essentially a sight read. They're mainly stock charts from Dave Pell, which were perfectly suited for the Nonette:

• Blue Room (mp3)
  
• Java Junction (mp3)
  
• Jazz Me Blues (mp3)
  
• Suze Blues (mp3)
  

Curious? Listen to the entire show, warts and all, HERE

Jazz Trio

Here's a working trio that many of my followers don't often get to see out and about. We'll play the occasional bar but this group has been mostly making it on the private circuit - parties, society events, yacht cruises, and the like. (Look ma, no drummer!)



The guitarist is Pete Bozick whom I've been collaborating with for the better part of the past decade in several different musical projects. The bassist in the top photo is Mike Graham and that's Ed Dawley on bass in the bottom photo. They are all serious players.

Australian Mini Tour

Well, I just returned from an end of Summer mini tour to Australia to perform with Jay Hoad (it was still winter down there!). Here are a couple of photo slide shows from our performances down under:

Crown & Sceptre in Adelaide - with full band

Hotel Elliot in Port Elliot - Jay with me and Mat

As you can see the fans at these shows were really into it - and no wonder! We really had it going on. Plus, there is nothing more fun than total immersion into Aussie culture. Cheers everybody!

Bayside Jazz Festival

Here I am performing with the Joe Baione Sextet. Killer band!

Didgeridoo Debut

My surprise go at playing the Didgeridoo in a recent live performance. Heavily influenced by Jay Hoad...


(please ignore the crazy cowbell dude in the background!)

ITG 2009

Click below to play this video from the International Trumpet Guild conference which took place this past May. You will see many famous trumpet players. I'm in there at 1:45 and again at 2:00.

The Jay Hoad Band

This is a video clip I like from a concert I did in summer '08 with the Jay Hoad Band:

I had the privilege of touring Australia earlier this year with the band and hope to have more collaborations with Jay in the future.

Australian Tour

My tour with Jay Hoad starts in Adelaide with shows at the Fringe Festival and then will continue throughout the region.

The Australian "Warmth In The White" CD release event will be held in conjunction with the Mango Tree Festival on 29 March, to be headlined by the Jay Hoad Band!

27 Feb - Komodo (Fringe Opener!)

1 Mar - Komodo (4pm afternoon jazz show)

2 Mar - Crown & Anchor (Jay solo/duo show)

4 Mar - Wheatsheaf (Jay & Jim w/ The Neo)

5 Mar - Wheatsheaf (Jay & Jim w/ Jigsaw)

12 Mar - Crown & Anchor (Jay solo/duo show)

14 Mar - Crown & Sceptre (band extravagnza!)

15 Mar - Austral 4pm (Jay solo/duo show)

15 Mar - Crown & Anchor 9pm (Jay/Jim duo show)

20 Mar - Komodo (Fringe Spectacular!)

21 Mar - Komodo (Fringe Finale!)

27 Mar - Austral 6pm (Jay solo show)

29 Mar - Austral 4pm (Jay solo show)

29 Mar - Mango Tree Festival (CD release!)

2 April - Radio Adelaide 4pm (live interview)

2 April - Crown & Anchor 9pm (Jay/Jim duo show)

3 April - Austral 4pm (Jay/Jim duo show)

3 April - Rhino Room 9pm (w/ Alias & the Jams)

4 April - Austral 2pm (Jay solo/duo show)

4 April - Higher Ground Theatre 9pm (4 bands!!)

6 April - Crown & Anchor (Jay solo show)

For Future Use

Stay tuned...