Toronto-based trumpeter Alexis Baro joins us in this installment of the podcast. In our discussion, we discuss the move from Havana, Cuba to Toronto, how a teacher saved his career before it even began, what it's like to play a trumpet that bears your name, and much more!

What you'll hear in this episode:

-The music scene in Havana vs. Toronto...01:30

-The biggest difference between the jazz and classical mindset...08:01

-How our realities (for better or worse) inform our musical tastes and creative impulses...11:00

-How a teacher in Cuba saved Alexis' trumpet career before it even began...15:00

-Handling the pressure of the "do or die" situation as a student vs. as a professional...21:50

-The process of getting established as a pro musician in Toronto...25:50

-Alexis describes his customized equipment made by Carol Brass...28:55

-How much of our success as a player is in our mind, vs. the equipment?...35:30

-What Alexis would share with his 19 year old self...40:05

-Plus whatever your discerning ears deem worthy of your time and interest...

Resources mentioned:

Alexis Baro's website

Carol Brass

About the guest:

Alexis Baro was born into a musical family in Havana, Cuba. Classically trained, he took up the trumpet at the age of age 8 and completed his musical education receiving a teaching certification at the prestigious Amadeo Roldán Music Conservatory in Havana.

While in school he became a member of the Buena Vista Social Club super star Omara Portuondo's band, and later at the age of 19 played lead trumpet for the National Radio and Television Orchestra.After moving to Toronto, Canada in 2001, he was discovered by iconic Canadian jazz drummer Archie Alleyne where he florished as a writer and performer for eight years as a member of the Canadian award winning 'hard-bop" band Kollage. As a band member he was nominated for “Best Jazz Trumpeter” by the Canadian National Jazz Awards in the years 2006, 2007, and 2008. Baro has participated in more than 80 albums and can be heard as a feature solist on some of the most transcendent Latin albums made in Canada such as Hilario Duran’s Grammy Award nominated album “From The Heart”.

He has performed with such artists as Nikky Yanofsky, David Foster, Michael Bubble, Paul Anka, Danilo Perez, John Patitucci, Brian Blade, Paquito d' Rivera, Jimmy Bosch, Miguel Zenon, Hilario Duran, Robi Botos, Jesus Alemaney & Cubanismo, David Virelles, Andrea Boccelli, Gino Vanelli, Esthero, David Rudder, Juan de Marco & The Afro-Cuban All Stars, and Horacio "el negro" Hernandez.

Highlights in his solo career include opening for Herbie Hancock, and tours of South America and the West Indies. He’s released six albums as a solo artist “Havana Banana”, “From the Other Side”, “Blue Skin”, the Gold Medal “Global Music Award winner in the jazz category “Guilty Pleasure” , "Sugar Rush" and "Sandstorm". his Juno Awards Nominated 2018 release.

*Opening theme music: "Come Together" recorded by Alexis Baro

Closing theme music: "Sonata in A Major" recorded by Joe Burgstaller

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