connloyalist

I went to the "Trumpet Party 2006" yesterday, held each year in Noordwijk (the Netherlands). It features a big band and a host of professional trumpet players as featured artists with the big band backing them up. Or the trumpet section of some famous band or orchestra backed up by the band. I attended with a trumpet playing friend and had a pretty good time.

However. I did notice on thing: almost all the trumpeters there come in one of two categories: "screamers" and "how many different valve combinations can you press in a given amount of time". In my very humble opinion, the screamers are great... for about 15 minutes after which it gets kinda old. The fast valve stuff, flying up and down the scales at 100 mph in a jazz setting just isn't my thing. Whatever happened to the lyrical stuff?

Two of yesterday's performances stick out in my mind as being good: First, a (Belgian) classical cornetist, "old school" variety like 100 years ago. Yes, this too was virtuoso stuff, but in a classical context. Very good, the audience loved it. Second, a duet which had been written for Pete and Conte Condoli. Yes, this eventually strayed into a little screaming and fast doodling, but overall not bad.

I guess this is modern trumpet playing: I can either play higher than you or faster than you. Am I the only one who misses the likes of Harry James or Herb Alpert?

Regards, Christine'