I first became aware of the great Chris Gekker as a student at the Eastman School of Music. His impeccable reputation had lived on at the school well after he departed. I went on to have the distinct pleasure to work with Chris many times on a great variety of projects in New York. His musicianship and versatility have astounded me every time we have played together. In addition to his exceptional playing, he is one of the most sought after teachers in the world of brass. Having the opportunity to interview Chris for bone2pick was an invaluable lesson in itself, one that I am most grateful for. I hope you enjoy this insightful exchange with a truly exceptional artist.

—Michael Davis

Hip-BoneMusic

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About the artist:

Hailed as the most recorded trumpet player in the chamber music medium, Chris Gekker was as a member of the American Brass Quintet for 18 years, as well as principal trumpet of the Orchestra of St. Lukes and the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. He is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music where he received the coveted Performer’s Certificate and is currently the Professor of Trumpet at the University of Maryland. He has served as guest principal trumpet of the New York Philharmonic and San Franciso Symphony and has performed and recorded with a range of musical luminaries including Sting, Billy Joel, Peter Gabriel and Wayne Shorter.

I first worked with Gene Pokorny when he played on my CD, Brass Nation. His playing was sublime and he was an absolute pleasure to work with. Everyone, and I do mean everyone, says the same thing about Gene: the greatest musician to ever pick up a tuba and the greatest guy you’d ever want to be around. I’m grateful that Gene also played on my New Brass CD, as well as collaborating with me on the 20 Minute Warm-Up for Tuba. Every time I see Gene or get to work with him, it’s inspiring. This interview was no exception. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

—Michael Davis

Hip-BoneMusic

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About the artist:

Gene Pokorny is widely considered the finest tuba player in the world today. He has been a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and it’s state of the art brass section for the past 23’years. A native of Southern California, Gene previously held positions in the Saint’Louis Symphony, Utah Symphony and Israel Philharmonic. He has toured and recorded worldwide as a solo artist and has released three solo CDs.

Chuck Findley is one of my heroes. The Wall Street Journal front page, feature article on Chuck from the early ’80s hung on my college dorm room wall for a year. He has set the standard for what it means to be a studio musician for five decades. I first met Chuck and heard him live at a Manhattan Transfer recording session in Los Angeles in 1983, a session that also featured Jerry Hey, Gary Grant, Bill Reichenbach and Charlie Loper. It changed my life as a brass player. Years later, I was fortunate to get Chuck to play on my Brass Nation and Trumpets Eleven CDs. His playing took those projects to another level, as it always does. I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did!

—Michael Davis

Hip-BoneMusic

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About the artist:

Chuck Findley is arguably the most recorded trumpet player of all time. Highlights of his remarkable career include the legendary flugelhorn solo on the Carpenter’s mega hit Close To You, George Harrison’s Concert for Bangladesh, years with Johnny Carson and Jay Leno on the Tonight Show and recordings with Frank Sinatra, Steely Dan, Toto, Joni Mitchell, the Rolling Stones, Al Jarreau, Elton John, Tina Turner and Miles Davis to name just a few. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, he came to national prominence at the age of 18 when he joined the Buddy Rich Band as the featured trumpet soloist.

I had the great pleasure of meeting Ben Baldanza last summer online when he ordered my Shires signature trombone through Hip-Bone Music. After several emails and a few more orders of books and arrangements, I felt like I was a friend of Ben’s. Ben and I have kept in touch regularly over the past year and we finally met in person when we recorded this interview in the spring. From the moment I met Ben, I felt like I was reunited with an old friend. Ben is extremely bright and forward thinking, very open and candid, and exceptionally generous and giving. My kind of guy! I hope you find this interview to be as helpful and educational as I did.

—Michael Davis

Hip-BoneMusic

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About the artist:

Ben Baldanza started off with the goal of becoming a trombone player, changed course, and ended up reaching the apex of business success becoming the CEO of Spirit Airlines. Along the way, Ben received degrees from Syracuse University and Princeton University. Ben’s professional experience has included positions at American and Continental Airlines, UPS, Grupo TACA and U.S. Airways. He has been happily married to his wife Marcia for 25 years and is the proud father to his violin playing son Enzo.

I have had the pleasure of knowing Bones Malone for the better part of 30 years. When I first moved to New York in the mid-80s, Tom was kind enough to send me in on some much needed gigs to sub for him. I’ve always been grateful to him for those opportunities. Tom’s exemplary musicianship has been obvious to everyone who has ever played with him. On top of this musical excellence, he possesses the rare quality of being an individual you always look forward to seeing and hanging with. Thanks Tom for everything!

—Michael Davis

Hip-BoneMusic

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About the artist:

Tom “Bones” Malone is one of the most successful New York brass players of all-time. He has been a member of the CBS Orchestra for over 20 years. He was an original member of the Saturday Night Live band and served as it’s musical director for 4 years. He was a member of the original Blues Brothers band and as a studio musician, he has played on over 1,000 records, 3,000 radio & tv commercials and 4,000 tv shows. Tom has released 2 CDs as a solo artist and is active worldwide as a clinician.

Randy Brecker has been a hero of mine since I heard my first Brecker Brothers album back in the ’70s. His playing and writing changed the way I approach music, as it has for hundreds of other musicians. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to play on one of Randy’s solo records, as well as having him play on several of my projects. It is our good fortune that Randy took time out of his busy schedule to share his thoughts about music and his astounding career. Enjoy!

—Michael Davis

Hip-BoneMusic

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About the artist:

Randy Brecker, simply stated, is a musician’s musician. A virtuosic instrumentalist, internationally acclaimed composer and five time Grammy award winner, Randy’s impact on the jazz world and the New York music scene is immeasurable. The Brecker Brothers, the band he co-founded with his late brother Michael, is one of the most important and influential bands in the history of jazz fusion. Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, Jaco Pastorius, Eric Clapton, Frank Zappa, Art Blakey, Charles Mingus and Joe Henderson are just a few of the hundreds of artists he has toured and recorded with.

I have had the great pleasure of knowing and working with Tony Kadleck since the 1980’s. He is an exceptional musician, virtuosic instrumentalist and one of the true gentlemen of the music industry. Our time together with Frank Sinatra will always bring back some of my most favorite memories. It continues to be an honor and an inspiration to work with Tony whenever I am fortunate enough to have the opportunity. We had the pleasure of recording together a couple months back on James Taylor’s upcoming CD and Tony was his usual impeccable self. Check out his new big band CD Around the Horn as soon as you can. You won’t be disappointed! Thanks Tony for being such a great friend musically and personally all these years.

—Michael Davis

Hip-BoneMusic

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About the artist:

New York City’s busiest brass player, Tony Kadleck has toured, recorded and performed with a who’s who of the music industry including Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Michael Jackson, Steely Dan, James Taylor, the Boston Pops, Maria Schneider, Bob Mintzer and Ron Carter. He has performed on hundreds of motion picture soundtracks, jingles, television themes and Broadway shows. He is on faculty at the Manhattan School of Music and Montclair State College in New Jersey. Tony recently released his critically acclaimed debut big band CD Around the Horn.

I have always been a fan of great brass quintet playing. From my days in college and being a part of my own quintet, I have total admiration for the rare individuals who can make a quintet happen on the professional level. I first heard Triton Brass in 2011 at the Boston Conservatory and realized immediately that they are that rare collection of individuals. It was a pleasure to sit down with Stephen, Andrew, Shelagh, Wes and Angel and find out the secret to their success. Enjoy!

—Michael Davis

Hip-BoneMusic

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About the artist:

Triton Brass has established itself as one of the preeminent brass quintets in the world of contemporary classical chamber music. Prize winners at the prestigious Lyon and Fischoff international chamber music competitions, Triton has performed and recorded worldwide and is currently in residence at the Boston Conservatory. They have recently released their self-titled, debut CD which has already garnered both critical and popular acclaim.

I first heard Conrad Herwig in 1982. I had never heard the trombone played like that before and it scared the crap out of me while totally inspiring me at the same time. It still inspires me every time I hear him play now over 30 years later. I have had the good fortune of working with Conrad many times over the years including several years with Frank Sinatra’s band in the early ‘90s and on my own CDs, Absolute Trombone and Absolute Trombone II. He’s been a constant source of inspiration and hero to me for decades. I’m honored to call the great Conrad Herwig my friend.

—Michael Davis

Hip-BoneMusic

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About the artist:

One of the most respected and influential trombonists of the past 30 years, Conrad Herwig has released 23 CDs a solo artist and garnered three Grammy Award nominations from those recordings. He has appeared on over 200 CDs as a featured sideman most notably with Miles Davis, Joe Henderson, Eddie Palmieri. Joe Lovano, Jack DeJohnette and Tom Harrell. He is chair of the jazz studies department at the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University and is active worldwide as a clinician and guest artist. Conrad plays Michael Rath trombones exclusively.

I first heard Gary Grant in person at a Manhattan Transfer record date in LA in 1983. He was playing with Jerry Hey’s unbelievable horn section. That session changed my musical life in many ways. I was immediately struck by the power of Gary’s playing, but also his musical sensitivity. Simply stated, Gary is one of the most passionate musicians I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. That passion comes through in everything he does as a player and as a producer. I’m grateful for the opportunity to have played with Gary and grateful that he took the time to share his thoughts and insights with all of us.

—Michael Davis

Hip-BoneMusic

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About the artist:

Gary Grant is one of the most respected and recorded trumpet players of all time. His motion picture and television credits include The Bodyguard, Goodfellas, Forrest Gump, Austin Powers, Men In Black, The Simpsons and the Academy Awards. His CD credits read like a who’s who of popular music and include Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, Earth Wind & Fire, Al Jarreau and Toto, among hundreds of others. He is a Grammy award winning producer and has released two CDs as a solo artist..