Ray Vega

I just got home from the IAJE conference in Toronto. I was there representing the Jazz department of The Conservatory of Music at Purchase College. The brotherhood of jazz trumpets was out in style. There were some folks that I hadn't seen in a while and some of my NY homies as well. I also made some new friends.

I just missed Ingrid, and Luis Aquino but I was able to hook up with Guy Barker, Randy Brecker, Jarmo Hoogendijk, Derek Gardner, Brian Macdonald, Alexander Brown, Jimmy Owens, Tim Stanley, Tito Carrillo, Kevin Burns, Chad McCullough, Alex K., David Weiss, Brownman (up and coming Canadian trumpet badboy), Larry Cramer, Jeff Jarvis, Tim Hagans, Clay Jenkins, Bill Warfield, Glen Makos, and Brad Goode. Believe me...there were more....I know I'll remember at 2am.

Kenny Wheeler, Joe Wilder, Guido Basso and Christian Scott were there as well but I wasn't able to greet them personally.

Clay Jenkins played a wonderful set of originals which also included a beautiful reading of Tadd Dameron's lovely ballad "Soultrain". Clay brought his working quartet which included Harold Danko on piano, Tom Warington on bass and Joe Labarbara on drums. This performance was the highlight of the conference for me. It was simple; 4 Jazz Masters performing a set of World Class Jazz. Jenkins' trumpet performance was absolutely flawless. Beautiful sound, masterful technique, unlimited creativity mixed with lots of passion and soul. The folks at Eastman are fortunate to have him on faculty.

I hadn't seen Guy Barker in 7 years. It was great to get a chance to hook up with him.......so many wonderful things happening in his career. I'm hoping that he'll gain more prominance outside of the UK. His artistry is well worth checking out.

Tim Hagans and Randy Brecker are 2 of my heros. I don't get to see them that often but when I do, I always feel blessed beyond words. Both of these gentlemen are masters of improvisation.....they're also 2 of the most humble individuals in the business. There is no posing or vogueing with these cats.....it's all about pure art.

I had a chance to do some serious trumpet hanging with Brad Goode. He's without a doubt one of the finest players and educators on the scene today. He completely turned my head around concerning several major aspect of playing the trumpet. I will most likely spend a couple of days in Boulder, Colorado during the spring, studying with him......
He is one major league BADASS!!!!!

The trumpet hang was awesome!

Pete

"I had a chance to do some serious trumpet hanging with Brad Goode. He's without a doubt one of the finest players and educators on the scene today. He completely turned my head around concerning several major aspect of playing the trumpet. I will most likely spend a couple of days in Boulder, Colorado during the spring, studying with him......
He is one major league BADASS!!!!!"

You aren't too bad yourself,Ray! Brad is also a fine bass player. I heard him at the ITG Conference at UMASS. He is very impressive.

Pete