James Thompson is Professor of Trumpet at the renowned Eastman School of Music. He came to this position having played Principal Trumpet in the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra since September 1990. He has held corresponding positions with the Phoenix Symphony, the Orchestra of the State of Mexico, the National Symphony of Mexico, and for 14 years, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. He is in addition currently Solo trumpet of the Orchestra Toscanini under the direction of Loren Mazel. Born in Frankfurt, Germany, he was raised in Phoenix, Arizona where he began trumpet studies at the age of ten. His principal teachers included Richard Longfield and Roger Voisin. The show notes for this episode can be found at www.bobreeves.com/47

Episode #47 - James Thompson

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Today's episode of the Other Side of the Bell is brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass.  Check out all the information for what the shop is bringing to the International Trumpet Guild conference in Anaheim for 2024. This episode's special guest is Brian Swartz. Trumpeter Brian Swartz is a diverse musician with a wide range of influences. He has appeared on multiple Grammy® nominated and winning recordings with artists including The (Dixie) Chicks' Double Platinum "Taking the Long Way" which won 5 Grammy® Awards, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year in February 2007, John Beasley's Monk'estra which has garnered 6 Grammy® Nominations for it's 3 albums and 1 Grammy® Win for Beasley's arrangement of "Donna Lee," The Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Scott Healy's Tentet and Kim Richmond's Concert Jazz Orchestra. He has also performed or recorded with The Goo Goo Dolls, Michael Bublé, Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, Jennifer Nettles, Robin Thicke, Smashmouth, Patti Labelle, Natalie Cole, Dianne Reeves, Ivan Lins, Tom Harrell, Chucho Valdés, Brad Mehldau, Dave Douglas, Rickie Lee Jones, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, The O’Jays, The Temptations, The Four Tops,  Saint Motel, Azar Lawrence, Buddy Montgomery, Joe Henry, Keb' Mo', Jackie Greene, Josie Cotton, Lisa Loeb, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Gerry Gibbs, Connie Han, Taylor Eigsti, Raya Yarbrough, Bob Florence, The Luckman Jazz Orchestra, Francisco Aguabella, JazzAntiqua, The Los Angeles Jazz Collective, Jose Rizo’s Jazz on the Latin Side All Stars and many more.  Since 2005, Swartz has proudly held the trumpet chair in Oingo Boingo Former Members.    Brian Swartz has released five jazz albums as a leader: "There’s Only Me" (Noir Records 2000), "Live at the Jazz Bakery" (Summit Records 2005), "Three" (Summit Records 2006) and "Portraiture" (Summit Records 2014), "To Be With You" (DistroKid 2020). As an arranger, Brian has written for his own big band, Ruthie Foster's 2021 Grammy® Nominated "Live at the Paramount," Sussan Deyhim with the Pacific Symphony, the Ron Jones Influence Orchestra and has served as staff arranger for The Luckman Jazz Orchestra, John Beasley’s Monk’estra, Oingo Boingo Former Members and the ABC TV show, "Duets." Brian's film credits include the 2012 Oscar® Winning Animated Feature "Rango," Jennifer Anniston's "The Break-Up," "The Cooler" starring William H. Macy and "Let Them All Talk" with Meryl Streep. In 2021, Brian appeared with John Beasley's Quintet on the Amazon Prime TV show 'Bosch," Season 7, Episode 1.    Born December 16, 1967, Brian is a second generation trumpeter. His father, CMSgt Lawrence Swartz (1937-1992), was a 30 year trumpeter in the United States AirForce. Brian’s early exposure to music made a profound influence on him and he started playing trumpet at the age of ten in Bellevue, Nebraska. As a teenager, his family moved to the San Francisco Bay Area where he attended Armijo High School. He played all through his high school years and won many honors and accolades. He graduated from Armijo in 1986 and began his music education at Solano Community College. In 1988, he moved to Los Angeles to attend California State University at Northridge and the University of Southern California where he could further hone his craft.  For five years, Brian studied with trumpet guru Bobby Shew. Bobby inspired Brian's passion for teaching and since 1997, Brian has maintained a very busy schedule of private students in the Los Angeles area and beyond. Brian also studied with John Coppola (SFO), Bill Bing (CSUN), John Thomas (USC) and LA studio legend Uan Rasey. Brian’s dedication to mastering his craft and continually building upon his knowledge has brought him to prominence in the global jazz scene. 

Episode #119 Brian Swartz

This episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring jazz trumpeter Clint Baker Plog, is brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass.   Clint Baker is a seasoned bandleader with over 40 years of experience in the music industry. Having traveled the world and shared his musical talents in both Europe and Asia, Clint has established himself as a versatile musician with a passion for jazz. Clint is currently deeply involved in music education and serves as the director of the prestigious Teagarden Jazz Camp held in Sly Park, California. His dedication to nurturing the next generation of musicians is evident in his work with aspiring talents at this esteemed jazz camp. In addition to his educational endeavors, Clint remains an active performer in the vibrant music scene of the Bay Area. He can be found collaborating with various groups such as Nick Rossi’s swing band, Heidi Evelyn, the Hot Baked Goods, and Jessica King, where his musical prowess shines brightly. Furthermore, Clint's commitment to preserving the rich history of jazz is evident in his ongoing role as the instructor of the renowned jazz history symposium 'Jazz from the Hill'. Through this long-running program, he imparts his knowledge and passion for jazz to eager learners, ensuring the legacy of this beloved music genre endures for generations to come. Clint Baker's dedication to music, both as a performer and educator, has left an indelible mark on the jazz community, making him a respected figure and a driving force in the world of jazz music.

Episode #118 Clint Baker

  This episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring trumpeter and composer  Anthony Plog, is brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass. Come visit John and the Bob Reeves Brass crew at the  National Trumpet Competition, March 8-11th!   Anthony Plog has had a rich and varied international career in music—as a composer of operas, symphonic music, and chamber works; as an orchestral musician, soloist, and recording artist; and as a brass teacher and coach at some of the great music conservatories internationally and now online to students around the world. Composer The music of Anthony Plog has been performed in over 30 countries, and he has been the recipient of numerous grants and commissions. After beginning his career writing extensively for brass, he now works in many different musical forms. He has composed three children’s operas, the first of which (How the Trumpet Got Its Toot) was premiered by the Utah Opera and Symphony. He completed a major tragic opera (Spirits) based on a Holocaust theme and recently finished a new opera about a drone operator suffering a nervous breakdown (The Sacrifice). Other new works include an oratorio about the first major environmental battle in the United States (God’s First Temples), in versions for orchestra, symphonic band, and soprano song cycle; and a cantata using the stories of women who have recovered from sex trafficking, prostitution, and drug abuse (Magdalene). Musician Anthony Plog began studying music at the age of 10, and by 19 he was playing extra trumpet with the Los Angeles Philharmonic under conductors such as Zubin Mehta, James Levine, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Claudio Abbado. He has held positions with orchestras around the world, including the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the Malmo Symphony, and the Basel Symphony, and has performed on tour with the Stockholm Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Buenos Aires Symphony. As a soloist he has toured throughout the United States, Europe, Australia, and Japan, and has numerous solo recordings to his credit. Brass Teacher and Coach Anthony Plog has taught at some of the greatest music institutions around the world, including the University of Southern California, the Music Academy of the West, and Indiana University (U.S.), as well as the Schola Cantorum (Basel, Switzerland), the Malmo Music Academy (Sweden), the Academia di Santa Cecilia (Rome, Italy), the Norwegian Music Academy, and the Freiburg Musik Hochschule (Germany). His experience teaching in a wide variety of musical cultures, in addition to his work as a composer and former player, allows him to approach teaching and coaching with a unique and fresh perspective. His Plog Program, published by Balquhidder Music, is a seven-volume method book that has been a valuable addition to trumpet methodology. His new online teaching and coaching program is creating a new paradigm for international teaching. The program allows students worldwide to study with Anthony Plog and is available to players at all levels. Besides working individually with students on every brass instrument, he coaches chamber music groups, larger brass sections and ensembles, and wind ensembles, and he guides composers in writing for brass instruments. Anthony Plog lives and works in Freiburg, Germany. Links:         Anthony Plog Website  Anthony Plog on Music Podcast Anthony Plog on Facebook Motivation and The Three-Tier System Blog Post                Podcast Credits                “A Room with a View“ – composed and performed by Howie Shear Audio Engineer – Preston Shepard Cover Art – Phil Jordan Podcast Host – John Snell           

Episode #117 Anthony Plog

This episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring lead trumpeter Dave Trigg, is brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass. Dave Trigg is a distinguished trumpeter whose career spans over four decades, marked by versatility and collaborations with some of the most iconic names in music. Starting his professional journey in 1979, Dave made a significant mark as the lead trumpeter with the Ringling Bros Circus World House Band in Florida. This early experience set the stage for a series of notable engagements, including the national tour with "Holiday on Ice" and recording with the legendary Maynard Ferguson Band in 1981, contributing to the "Hollywood" release. In the early 1980s, Dave's talent took him to the heart of entertainment at Walt Disney World in Florida, where he performed with various bands at Epcot Center and MGM Studios until 1990. His broad range of musical abilities allowed him to share the stage with luminaries such as Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston, Quincy Jones, Harry Connick Jr., Tina Turner, and many others. Dave's Broadway credentials are equally impressive, featuring performances in productions like "Wonderful Town," "Hot Feet," "Fame Becomes Me," "Promises, Promises," "Pippin," "Jesus Christ Superstar," "Legally Blonde," "Gigi," and "Hello Dolly." The 1990s ushered in a new chapter for Dave as he joined Natalie Cole's band, embarking on global tours and performing with major orchestras, including the BBC Symphony and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. His work with Cole led to four Grammy-winning albums and numerous TV appearances on shows such as The Tonight Show and the Oprah Winfrey Show. Dave also showcased his talent on TV specials like the three Sopranos live concert and was a part of Sheila E's house band for the 1998 ALMA Awards. Dave's move to Los Angeles expanded his repertoire to include recording sessions for artists like Dr. John, Phil Collins, and Mary J. Blige, as well as soundtracks for films like "Miracle on 34th St." and "Shaft." His involvement with the Big Bands of Bill Holman, Bob Florence, and others underscored his versatility and excellence in jazz and big band music. Relocating to New York in 1999, Dave continued to dazzle at jazz festivals worldwide, including Montreux and Newport, and paid tribute to Maynard Ferguson at the New York Brass Conference. His recent performances include a gala with the National Symphony Orchestra and a featured appearance at the Salt Lake City Jazz Festival, maintaining his status as a sought-after musician for both live performances and studio recordings. Dave Trigg's illustrious career, marked by collaborations with a wide array of artists and performances across prestigious venues, underscores his enduring impact on the music industry and his mastery of the trumpet.

Episode #116 David Trigg

This episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring jazz trumpeter/cornetist Marc Caparone, is brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass.   Marc has been listening to classic jazz his entire life and is dedicated to keeping the traditions of the great early jazz trumpet players alive. His specialties are the jazz trumpet styles of the 1920’s and ‘30s, and he also has a deep interest in jazz history that started when he began collecting records as a teenager.  Marc has performed and recorded with many groups around the world including the High Sierra Jazz Band, Hal Smith’s Rhythmakers with Rebecca Kilgore, Narvin Kimball’s All Stars, Carl Sonny Leyland, Dave Stuckey’s Hot House Gang, Dave Stuckey’s Hoot Owls, Clint Baker’s New Orleans Jazz Band, the Reynolds Brothers, The Western Swing All Stars and Barbara Dane, and with bands led by his wife, vocalist Dawn Lambeth.  For several years Marc performed at Disney California Adventure as a member of the Ellis Island Boys.   In addition to leading his own groups he has also put together groups to back up blues legends Little Charlie Baty and Duke Robillard.  Marc is a regular member of the Holland-Coots Quintet, and Carl Sonny Leyland’s Boogie Woogie Boys and leads the Sierra Stompers and the Back O Town All Stars.   In 2022 he was inducted into the Western Swing Society Hall of Fame.    To grab an appointment or find out more about Bob Reeves Brass at TMEA, use this link.

Episode #47 - James Thompson

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