Dr. G.........."My interest here is to determine whether I might learn something from studying with Jerome Callet".
I have known Jerry for about 32 years now. In the early to mid-'70's I studied every week with him for about 2 years...then off and on for another two. To me it was worth every dime/minute I spent with him! Did I study with him to play/sound like Jerry? Absolutely not. Since I already was a lead player, had graduated college from a school of music and had studied with Carmine Caruso for 3 years I wasn't looking for a teacher to teach me to play the trumpet...I was looking for someone to help me "zero in" on a few things that I knew that I wanted to improve upon. Basically I wanted more endurance, more power, and was looking for "THAT" special lead sound. Through Jerry's embouchure tips, certain exercises he gave me, helpful breathing hints, knowledge of equipment, etc. etc., I couldn't have been MORE pleased with the results that I obtained through the years I was with him and the benefits of his teachings!
trickg......"Jerry never claimed to be a great player, just that he had a great embouchure, and that he is a great embouchure teacher".
EXACTLY!!!
I don't recall, even once, hearing Jerry say that he could outplay, was better than, etc. ANYDODY! He knew what he had to offer the trumpet playing world and that was working with brass players to simply make THEM a better performer and to make THEIR goals more easily obtainable.
trickg....."Dave, it seems that you have an ax to grind".
Sounds that way to me too! Unless someone has a very PERSONAL ax to grind it makes no sense of putting down Jerry's playing and/or sound as he never professed to be a Maynard, Bud B., Chase, etc. BUT...he DID have awesome chops and and a teaching method that DID work for alot of people...me included. For that I'll always be very thankful to him! He has also been a good friend through the years, and as we all know, that's something that's hard to come by!
Just my 2 cents...FWIW
Butch W.