The Back Row
While technically not the actual back row of a band, nothing behind the trumpet section is all that important anyway. As other fellow band members, colleagues and enthusiasts read this, they are now getting a sense of how it is going to be while visiting this site. Spoken like a true trumpet player. Truth be told however, I love all my fellow band members along with anyone else who loves and feels as privileged as I do performing in or listening to concert bands, symphonic bands and wind ensembles.
This site will be devoted to sharing thoughts and music from my experiences playing trumpet in bands over the last 40 years, and counting.
"Trumpet players are just belligerent and cocky and you know, just hard-headed." - Wynton Marsalis
"The trumpet is the hardest, most frustrating and unforgiving instrument you can play." - Arturo Sandoval
My Bb Trumpet
I started off with a rented horn in the 5th grade and by 8th grade graduated to a Bach. Later transition to a Yamaha when I joined the 39th Army Band. But when I move to California and transferred to the 562nd Air Force Band, I picked out a Schilke and haven't looked back since.
My current trumpet is a Schilke B1, purchased in 2018 for $3,300
My C Trumpet
In 2024 I was performing a piece that required a C trumpet but I had no C trumpet so I asked my teacher if he had a recommendation on what to purchase. He did. In fact a colleague of his, Christopher Smith, principal trumpet player for the San Diego Symphony was looking to sell his "spare" C trumpet. When I heard that, I knew it would be the best horn I could find so I didn't hesitate to purchase it from Chris. Now I have a great C trumpet with a great heritage!
My C trumpet is a Yamaha Xeno Artist "Ney York" Series YTR9445NY, purchased used in 2024 (2019 Model) for $3,500 and previously owned by Christopher Smith, Principal trumpet with the San Diego Symphony.
My Flugel Horn
This is the 1st flugel Horn I have owned. I was issued a Yamaha flugel when I was with the 562nd Air Force Band which did the job so that is what I gravitated to when I went to purchase on.
My current flugel horn is a Yamaha YFH-631G, purchased in 2018 for $1,900.