NJtrpt

I recently had an oppurtunity to see the rock band Chicago live and was actually impressed with Lee Loughnane's trpt playing. I think that he has improved significantly over his career, esp. compared to some of his soloing from the early days of Chicago.

As a trumpet player myself, I'd be curious to know where you think he ranks as a player. Personally, I don't think he is in the same league as Doc, Maynard etc (true jazz players), however, he is a solid section player, going up to about high F# / G live in concert.

As a horn player I've always been a huge Chicago fan. Curious what others think....

Have a good one !!

mike ansberry

Yea, Lee's playing has definitely gotten better since the early days. It is my understanding that he got into the Claude Gordon thing. I wouldn't call him a great player, but now he does seem to be solid at what he does.

rowuk

The Chicago sound has always been unique and Lee's playing always fit perfectly. What more could you want? he still has a job doing what he does!

I don't think that I would want to "rate" him unless he played something "universal" like the Haydn Concerto badly (I am not assuming that he would play badly, I would pass judgement for myself if it happened).

I see no need for ranking ANY player. Either you like what they do or you do not. Who is really in a position to judge another player and give them a fair ranking? Just look at the Wynton ratings - for some the best there is, for others, seemingly average. Miles Davis, Maurice André - they all have "mixed ratings". Of course putting down a world class player may make the inferior feel better.......................
Better for us NJ would be to tell us who YOU admire and why. It is amazing how this can add to our total perspective and sometimes leads us to new waters!

Bill Dishman

ITG had an article about him a while back. Definitely worth checking out. As far as ranking or judging other players....be very careful. There is such a wide range of requirements in our world and no one can really fill all of them. Who else could play the stuff with the group Chicago the way he did (does)?

I still love his solo in "The Girl from Buchanon".

I have always loved his playing and I am basically a legit orchestral player.

Bill Dishman
Gainesville, Florida

Billy B

Listening to Bobby Burns every night has to help.

NJtrpt

All,
Great points. I do agree.

Please excuse the poor choice of words on my part. "Ranking" was probably not the best way to ask the question. I agree that firstly ranking would be a subjective type of thing, in addition, its almost like comparing apples to oranges when you try to compare a jazz player, to a rock player, to a classical, to a brass choir player etc etc etc.

Meant no disrespect to anyone. Not to mention that I had the oppurtunity to meet Lee a few times and he is one of the most down to earth people, taking his time to chat with me about trumpet playing, etc.

BTW..... agree also about the comment about B. Burns. What a solid player !! :)

Take care.
Paul

John Mohan

http://www.trumpetguild.org/pdf/9802laba.pdf

In the above article, Loughnane attributes his vastly increased trumpet-playing ability, range, sound and endurance to his studying with Claude Gordon student Paul Witt, and also to the Claude Gordon Selmer trumpet and Claude Gordon Personal mouthpiece he has been playing on since the mid '90's.

Best wishes,

John Mohan