_TrumpeT_

Hello. I live in New Zealand. I had not known who you were until recently through the use of internet. (Likewise I had not known who Maurice Andre, Wynton Marsalis, Maynard Ferguson, etc were until relatively recently). Once I have heard your sound, I could not erase it from my mind. It's so virile, brassy yet clean. It's a shame I will probably never hear you live.

djm6701

As some others have said, I too used to stay up way past my bedtime as a youngster hoping you would have a feature during the Tonight Show. You are truly an inspiring player and person.

Dave Malysh
Toronto, Ontario

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Dave M.
Richmond Hill (Toronto), Ontario, CANADA

Kanstul WB1600
1952 L.A. Olds Recording, 1975 L.A. Benge 3x, Yamaha 631 Flugel, Olds Flugel

GR 65.6 Mouthpieces

Fudleysmith

Every time I listen to your playing, I always note your vibrato.

To my ear, it is just so! Always an enhancement, but never a distraction.

Many thanks,

Greg Smith

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Fudleysmith

Conn V1 Rose brass bell
GR 65M #1bb

Conn V1 Flugel (Satin Silver)
GR 65FD

Conn 8DRS
Lawson S670/P10G 705

Manny Laureano

So, Doc...

The first time I heard you play was on a Boston Pops show with Fiedler. You played the Werle concerto and then finished up with La Virgen de la Macarena. Between the mustache you sported, the Mendez you played, the Samba movement of the Werle, and finally, the Doritos chip commercial you did on the Tonight Show, it was the beginning of my being convinced that you were another latino, trumpet-playing role model for me to look up to.

Well, amigo, that was about 35 years ago and you're still one of my biggest heroes even though you lacked the foresight to have been born latino.

What did you do to achieve that hero staus? Simple: you showed me how joyful trumpet playing could be. You also showed me how serious you had to be to achieve the ability to inspire others with music.

From the phenomenal recording of Bluesette on Command records, to A Song for you with RCA, to Napoli on Trumpet Spectacular, and most recently the many duets we've played together here at the Hall, you continue to inspire me to be me. That was you're ultimate gift, Doc. While I spent so many years trying to be you when I was a kid, you ultimately taught me to be myself. For that, I can never thank you enough.

You have been my inspiration, my colleague, and my overly generous friend. I can only wish you the very best in the years to come and sincerely hope that you see fit to visit us in the Great White North every so often to hear a Mahler symphony. Hey, man, next season we finish with your favorite, the Second.... maybe it'll be time for you to come and enjoy a concert from the comfort of the other side of the stage for a change and let US entertain and inspire YOU.

I love you, Doc. Thanks for the many years of hard work that turned into sweet music for all of us.

Manny Laureano

B15M

Doc,

I'm an old guy and as far back as I can remember you were a hero to me.

I was and still am so impressed with the level of jazz and classical that you do. Most famous musicians are known for one or the other but you excel in both.

When I was in college, people would tell me that I had to choose, classical or jazz; because to really be good you have to concentrate on just one.
I would use you as an example of a great trumpet player doing both, and today I still do both.

Thank you for your music and inspiration.

Joe Spitzer
Monroe Ct.

Derek Reaban

Doc,

I’m a student of both Benny and Jim in Phoenix. At the Destino Days in Tempe (Oct 2004), I came to the Church by ASU and tried several of your horns. I chose a piece by Marcello that I had played in Church several weeks earlier. Once I finished the Marcello, I played several things from the Phil Collins “In The Singing Style” book. When I finished, you came over and said, “That was some really nice playing. What did you play?” I showed you my Italian Songs and Arias book and told you about the modeling that I had been doing listening to Cecelia Bartoli. You said, “Modeling the great vocalists is always very important”.

What a great day! It's not every day I get a compliment on my playing from someone like you!

I also just loved hearing the Tonight Show band every weeknight with Johnny Carson on TV. Even if I wouldn’t stay up for the entire show when I was a little kid, I always liked to hear the theme song. I can hear you playing that music very strongly in my head anytime I want to!

I also have lots of fond memories of you playing with the Phoenix Symphony and the very first time that I met you. I work for Honeywell (formerly Garrett), and in 1991 my instructor called me at work and said, “What are you doing right now?”. It was just about lunch time and I said, “I’m getting ready to get something to eat.” He said, “NO! Drive down to the Hall right now and I’ll meet you at the stage door.” So, with no idea what I was in for (Jim just loved surprising me years ago), I jumped in my car and took the short drive to downtown.

When I met Jim (Benitez) he said, “Do you want to meet Doc?” I was just stunned! We walked several doors down the hall and he opened the door and there you were! Up until this point I had only seen you on TV and I was surprised to see you in a plain blue shirt and jeans instead of all those flashy outfits you wore on the Tonight Show. This was the week that you premiered the Stephen Paulus Trumpet Concerto. After we talked briefly, I went out into the hall and got to hear the very first performance of this piece. Since I was the only person in the audience at this afternoon rehearsal, it was like you were playing it just for me!

Well, as you can tell, you’ve made a great impression on me over the years. Best of luck with your final season as the Pops Conductor in Minnesota!

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Derek Reaban
Tempe, Arizona

Mikey

Doc,

Thanks for the time spent with me trying horns in Orchestra Hall, and for the many years and numerous recordings of your incredible playing. You were and still are my soul and inspiration.

Best of luck to you and Emily.

Mike Supple
Minneapolis

ecarroll

Doc,

I'm sure that you remember Bob Brookmeyer from your days in New York and Los Angeles. Bob is a neighbor in New Hampshire now and a Godparent to my two boys.

I brought Tom Stevens over to see Bob a few weeks ago and during the course of our conversation your name came up (naturally -- we were discussing Triangles III, etc.). You know Bob......he has hard opinions on many musical subjects (we'll leave it at that).....and he named you as the best lead player that he ever worked with. No surprise there.

All my very best,
EC

imported_administrator

Doc,

Best wishes from everyone at TrumpetMaster.com . Enjoy your retirement! And thanks for all the great music over the years!

NickD

Bravo! and Thanks!

oops - three words!

All my best!

Nick

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NickD
"Free Online Lessons in Extreme Trumpet Playing"
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