Trumpeter Clifford Brown, affectionately known as “Brownie,” was one of the brightest talents in jazz before his life was tragically cut short at just 25. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he wasn’t a victim of the stereotypical “jazz life” – Brownie famously avoided drugs and alcohol. Instead, he was taken in a car accident on …
Whilst many of the most famous musicians in jazz are known for their compositional offerings to the world, Chet Baker was a little different. As one of the most impressive song interpreters of all time, the trumpeter and vocalist carved out a career recording definitive versions of many standards, providing us with a list of …
Making his name in the late 1930s with the Count Basie Orchestra, iconic jazz trumpeter Harry “Sweets” Edison is synonymous with the swing era, as well as a fine accompanist to singers. Born in Columbus, Ohio, on October 10th, 1915, young Harry faced the challenge of his parents’ separation during his infancy. Fortunately, his aunt …
In this article we’re going to be checking out the different types of trumpets, from the most common ones, to some more unusual wind instruments in the family. Trumpets are some of the world’s oldest brass instruments. They were found in ancient tombs, played as instruments of war, and still accompany the military of most …
At first glance, you may think that the trumpet is a complicated instrument. There are various trumpet parts such as buttons, valves, slides, pipes, and keys that can overwhelm beginners and even confuse those who’ve been playing for a while. But like any other instrument, the trumpet won’t seem nearly as intimidating once you get …
When it comes to the most famous jazz albums of all time, the trumpet may be slightly eclipsed by the sheer number of saxophone and piano-led offerings. That doesn’t mean, though, that there aren’t a big chunk of jazz trumpet albums which should be required listening for every fan out there, as we’ll see in …
Emerging in the early-60s Blue Note era of Hard Bop, trumpeter Freddie Hubbard’s career stretched more than five decades and brought a smorgasbord of jazz classics to the fore. In this article we take a look at six of the most famous Freddie Hubbard albums. Freddie Hubbard stands as one of the greatest hard bop …
With its smooth, mellow tone and classy design, the flugelhorn enjoys a special – if niche – place in the world of musical instruments and the trumpet family. In this guide, we look at the key questions about playing it, as well as some tips on the best flugelhorn brands to buy… The world of …
Across the spectrum of musical instruments, it’s perhaps female brass players who have been most under-represented in jazz history. In this article, writer Isabel Marquez looks at a selection of famous female trumpet players, old and new, for your listening collections. The trumpet has long been considered an instrument with masculine connotations. Its distinct militaristic …
