It was magnificent.
David Krauss, James Ross and Ken De Carlo were there. I hadn't seen Dave in years.
The Mannes trumpet studio is strong. One fine player after another played, they were all wonderfully talented.
Now about the class............ it felt like my experiences at Marlboro thirty years ago. It was about the music, there was not one equipment question
And the music was great.
Manny started by playing "Yellow Bird" on his mouthpiece as a warm-up. He explained that this was an alternative to the "Northwestern Anthem".....you know the one. When he asked the group if they knew the tune, his question was met with blank stares. I think only Jimmy Owens, Manny and I knew the song
Man, I felt old.
The members of the studio played a varied selection of works. The "Arutunian Concerto," "Keating Intrada," a Bitsch etude, a Pictures excerpt, something by Bohme and the trumpet solo from the "Concerto in F" by Gershwin were the works played. I am trying to find the Bix version I posted a while back. It was beautiful.
The players were asked to explore the vocal side of the music, this was the approach at Marlboro also. Every last one the the guys sounded better after they played for Manny.
I have to run. I'll be Bach
Wilmer