Malcolm McNab is quite possibly the greatest trumpeter in the world that you've never heard of. I recall a friend of mine back in 2008-09 timeframe putting in Malcolm's CD Exquisite, and being unable to believe what I was hearing. The range, the accuracy, the musicality.

My friend said something along the lines of, "This is the guy who played the lead part on Jurassic Park."

"Oh," was my reply.

Why is it I've never heard of this guy?!

One of this life's great injustices is that the musicians on those movies we've grown up with do not get proper credit for their work. The music makes or breaks the movie. Any director or producer will tell you that.

The Hollywood scene is not one with which I have any familiarity, so I'll keep further judgment to myself. But suffice it to say I'm grateful to be able to share some of Malcolm's thoughts with y'all listening into the podcast.

We began talking about the great Raphael Mendez, including an incredible story from his childhood that very well could have contributed to him being such a kind and generous person on and off the stage.

And talking with a great master of his craft, the conversation naturally drifted into pedagogy, as well as some cool stories of Malcolm's interactions with some of the elite Hollywood directors and producers, including Steven Spielberg making a cameo appearance playing clarinet on Jaws.

Yes, it's that kind of episode.

Enjoy!

BTW, I have an extremely limited number of Malcolm's CD's available FOR FREE. Yes, no cost. Malcolm had some of his CD's with him at the conference, and he told me to just give them out to people.

So tune in to the very end of the episode to learn how you can get a copy of one of Malcolm's CD's for free (if you can pay for shipping, it's appreciated but not required.)

Episode highlights:

-The incredible story of Raphael Mendez being conscripted into Pancho Villa's army as a child...04:20

-Raphael's firing from a studio gig became the catalyst for his great solo career...08:30

-Raphael's story as told in an opera has sadly been lost to posterity...13:36

-How Malcolm continues his legacy by passing on his knowledge to others with lessons and camps...21:22

-Looking for the "sweet spot" with the tone and pitch...28:52

-If you can master the physical side of playing, it naturally has a positive effect on your mental and spiritual wellbeing...32:30

-Breaking into the Hollywood music scene and making connections with some of the great filmmakers...45:51

-The future of "Camp McNab" in wake of the pandemic's devastating effects...57:38

-Suffering in life comes full circle years later...1:05:48

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

Body + Mind + Spirit = Mastery. Now available is a collection of excerpts from some of the most popular episodes of the Trumpet Dynamics podcast featuring the likes of Chris Coletti, Sergei Nakariakov, Manny Laureano, and more.

It's a FREE download available right now on brassmastery.com!

About the Guest:

Malcolm Boyd McNab was born in Cleveland, Ohio on March 25th 1943. That summer, his family moved out to California where he was raised in the San Gabriel Valley. He began studying the trumpet at the age of nine, with his father Boyd McNab as his first teacher. Later, he studied with Pasadena trumpet teacher Walter Laursen, and performed with the Pasadena Symphony at the age of fourteen while still a student at Mark Keppel High School in Alhambra.

In 1958 at the age of 15, Malcolm began playing with the Young Musicians Foundation Debut Orchestra under conductors Dr. Miklos Rosza, Lawrence Foster, Gerhard Samuel and Henry Lewis. He soon became...

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brassmastery.substack.com