Originally Posted by Manny Laureano

After the first night we were there, I returned to the hotel after hearing Vienna Phil play Strauss and Bruckner. There was a jazz trio playing in the lounge; a pianist, bass/synth. drumset guy, and singer. The associate conductor and I sat and listened to them do tunes and afterward I brought them a round of drinks to tell them how much we were enjoying them. When they learned I was wth the orchestra they asked If I'd get my horn and sit it with them. All the sheets they had were for piano so I grabbed my C and jammed with them for the next three nights during the 12 to 1 set, the final of the evening.

Truthfully, I don't know why more jazz trumpeters don't use a C. It might just be tradition or when you feel a tune in a certain that's just where you want it to be. I can say that once I pulled out my horn I never looked back. They were three nights that I'll never forget. We played everything. The other orchestra members in the lounge got a kick out of it, especially when I picked up an ashtray and used it as a plunger!

I'll find some photos and try to scan them in as evidence of my story.

ML