On April 17, 2022, the trumpet world said goodbye to a pioneer and industry trendsetter - Bob Reeves. Bob was much more than a mouthpiece manufacturer, and his impact on the trumpet world has benefited nearly every player in the last 50 years. As a tribute to the memory of Bob, I've invited three Trumpet Gurus - Chris Cromer, Terry Warburton, and K.O. Skinsnes - to share their stories of how Bob's work helped shape their work and the direction of modern trumpet equipment.  

So pour yourself a big glass, pull up a chair, and let the hang begin! 

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Sound like a million bucks without breaking the bank with Barkley Microphones: http://barkleymic.com/

Let Vennture Mouthpieces help you on your search for the perfect mouthpiece. Use the code "TRUMPETGURUS21" to get 10% off your purchase: https://www.vennture.mp/

If you play hard, you need to make sure you show your chops some love with Robinson's Remedies products: bit.ly/ChopLove 

Let Jose help you master your mental game: bit.ly/MindfulnessSecrets 

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00:00:00 Intro 

00:01:35 Bob setting a new standard for manufacturers 

00:03:10 Always being willing to share information 

00:05:38 The Gap 

00:08:10 How Bob impacted his approach to repair 

00:10:50 The importance of valve alignments 

00:14:10 Bob's lasting legacy 

00:15:40 Terry Warburton 

00:16:31 First meeting Bob 

01:20:51 Bob's technical contributions 

00:23:19 Raising the bar 

00:26:34 Consistency 

00:30:19 Bob's greatest gift 

00:32:23 The importance of tight tolerances 

00:33:53 Leaving a legacy 

00:38:16 KO Siknsnes 

00:38:56 His introduction to Bob Reeves 

00:46:20 Bob Reeves the problem solver 

00:49:40 Bob Reeves the technician 

00:50:29 An unreleased video of Bob 

00:53:25 Bob's inspiration for valve alignments 

00:56:30 Setting a higher standard 

00:59:30 Two Canadian Brass stories 

01:05:17 Whatever happened to Bob Reeves? 

01:06:58 Bob was the greatest mouthpiece maker that's ever lived 

01:10:40 How Bob got started 

01:13:32 Building on past successes 

01:18:48 Advice to mouthpiece manufacturers 

01:23:46 Wrap Up

My guest for this episode is Craig Kenney.  

Craig is a hidden gem. A world-class lead player, Craig’s career did not take the conventional route. Instead of forging a name on the road or in the studios, Craig chose to stay close to home in South Central Pennsylvania. A decision that placed him in the perfect spot to spend two decades as the lead player for the legendary Dave Stahl. But his recent experience rebuilding his chops after a bout with Bell’s Palsy is a masterclass in determination and resiliency that every player can benefit from.   

Check out what Craig has to say about choosing to stay close to home, playing lead with Dave Stahl, important lessons for lead trumpet players, his inspirations, learning to play in the upper register, students and mouthpieces, being a teacher, Clarke Studies for upper register development, having a musical family, the importance of community bands, helping players feel comfortable, recovering from Bells Palsy, finding the silver lining, changes in attitude, dealing with uncertainty, his advice for recovering from a physical setback, and so much more!  

So pour yourself a big glass, pull up a chair, and let the hang begin! 

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Find Craig on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/craig.kenney.5

Stay up to date with the Leabman Kenny Jazz Orchestra at: https://lewleabman.com/leabmankenney.html

Sound like a million bucks without breaking the bank with Barkley Microphones: http://barkleymic.com/

Let Vennture Mouthpieces help you on your search for the perfect mouthpiece. Use the code "TRUMPETGURUS21" to get 10% off your purchase: https://www.vennture.mp/

If you play hard, you need to make sure you show your chops some love with Robinson's Remedies products: bit.ly/ChopLove 

Let Jose help you master your mental game: bit.ly/MindfulnessSecrets 

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00:00:00 Intro 

00:03:48 Choosing to stay close to home 

00:06:40 Playing lead with Dave Stahl 

00:13:30 Important lessons for lead trumpet players 

00:18:46 His inspirations 

00:21:39 Learning to play in the upper register 

00:31:19 Students and mouthpieces 

00:33:33 Being a teacher 

00:34:36 Clarke Studies for upper register development 

00:36:46 Having a musical family 

00:40:39 The importance of community bands 

00:44:20 Helping players feel comfortable 

00:48:15 Recovering from Bells Palsy 

00:54:04 Finding the silver lining 

00:59:55 Changes in attitude 

01:04:24 Dealing with uncertainty 

01:07:09 His advice for recovering from a physical setback 

01:09:40 Sound Off 

01:11:58 Geared Up 

01:18:04 Rapid Fire Round

My guest for this episode is Louis Dowdeswell.   

Louis is incredible. Louis’ seemingly effortless command of the trumpet’s upper register puts him in rare air indeed.  As one of the Young Lions of the bustling London music scene, you can hear Louis light it up in studios, soundstages, and pits as well as with his own big band. And Louis’ video covers of soundtrack tunes have had millions of views worldwide. But the best part is that Louis’ laugh comes just as easy as his double C.  

Check out what Louis has to say about connecting with Wayne Bergeron, being a mentor. learning how to be a successful musician, the Tom Walsh Effect, the London musical path, finding your unique selling proposition, defining moments, change and growth, the necessity of trade-offs, Maynard Ferguson, anatomy and efficiency, the importance of soft playing to develop the upper register, Reinhardt Types, his theory on aperture size and compression, how to practice to develop the upper register, and so much more!  

So pour yourself a big glass, pull up a chair, and let the hang begin! 

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Find all things Louis at: https://www.louisdowdeswell.com/home 

Louis on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ChickenTiko 

Sound like a million bucks without breaking the bank with Barkley Microphones: http://barkleymic.com/ 

Let Vennture Mouthpieces help you on your search for the perfect mouthpiece. Use the code "TRUMPETGURUS21" to get 10% off your purchase: https://www.vennture.mp/ 

If you play hard, you need to make sure you show your chops some love with Robinson's Remedies products: bit.ly/ChopLove  

Let Jose help you master your mental game: bit.ly/MindfulnessSecrets 

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00:00:00 Intro 

00:02:53 Connecting with Wayne Bergeron 

00:08:21 Being a mentor 

00:15:20 Learning how to be a successful musician 

00:23:00 The Tom Walsh Effect 

00:29:05 The London musical path 

00:32:59 Finding your unique selling proposition 

00:40:46 Defining moments 

00:51:42 Change and growth 

01:01:08 The necessity of  trade-offs 

01:06:30 Maynard Ferguson 

01:10:14 Anatomy and efficiency 

01:13:29 The importance of soft playing to develop the upper register 

01:19:00 Reinhardt Types 

01:21:02 His theory on aperture size and compression 

01:29:25 How to practice to develop the upper register 

01:32:33 Sound Off 

01:37:57 Geared Up 

01:42:34 Rapid Fire Round

My guest for this episode is Cameron Milligan.

Cameron is a rising star. Cameron is a Montréal based freelance trumpet player and the winner of the 2022 Trumpeter’s Multi-Track Competition. His winning entry, a unique take on the jazz standard “All The Things You Are,” spotlights Cameron’s skills as a talented arranger, a skilled trumpet player, and a creative multi-media editor. Keep an eye on this guy, he’s definitely going places.

Check out what Cameron has to say about his background, his early inspirations, the Montreal music scene, his musical passions, his arranging inspirations for his winning entry, his video production concepts, improvisation and the art of video creation, his multi-media tech specs, time commitment, why he entered the Trumpeter's Multi-Track Competition, the importance of multi-track videos for performers and arrangers, his biggest takeaway from winning the Trumpeter's Multi-Track Competition, turning his video into a live production, lessons you can learn about your playing through the recording process, and so much more!

So pour yourself a big glass, pull up a chair, and let the hang begin!

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Learn more about The Trumpeter’s Multi-Track Competition here: https://www.trumpetmtc.org/

Subscribe to Cameron’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu3cztlB3tPfqGPzSHCaQzA

Watch Cameron’s award-winning “All The Things You Are” video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yd1l5p65Kx8

Sound like a million bucks without breaking the bank with Barkley Microphones: http://barkleymic.com/

Let Vennture Mouthpieces help you on your search for the perfect mouthpiece. Use the code "TRUMPETGURUS21" to get 10% off your purchase: https://www.vennture.mp/

If you play hard, you need to make sure you show your chops some love with Robinson's Remedies products: bit.ly/ChopLove

Let Jose help you master your mental game: bit.ly/MindfulnessSecrets

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00:00:00 Intro

00:02:37 His background

00:06:02 His early inspiration

00:09:43 The Montreal music scene

00:13:55 His musical passions

00:15:46 His arranging inspirations for his winning entry

00:22:41 His video production concepts

00:29:50 Improvisation and the art of video creation

00:33:22 His multi-media tech specs

00:39:52 Time commitment

00:41:39 Why he entered the multi-track competition

00:43:08 The importance of multi-track videos for performers and arrangers

00:50:58 His biggest takeaway from winning the Trumpeter's Multi-Track Competition

00:52:49 Turning his video into a live production

00:57:23 Lessons you can learn about your playing  through the recording process

01:00:32 Sound Off

01:03:48 Geared Up

01:07:22 Rapid Fire Round

My guest for this episode is Lynn Nicholson.  

Lynn is a seeker. As a young trumpet player, his search for a better solution to playing outdoors led to him discovering The MF Protocol. His superhuman upper register landed Lynn’s first professional gig with Bill Chase and then as a featured member of the Maynard Ferguson band. While Lynn’s life has taken some unpredictable twists and turns he has always followed his heart and remained true to his inquisitive nature.  

Check out what Lynn has to say about stumbling onto the MF Protocol, the need for a methodical approach, having an enquiring mind, being surrounded by greatness, transitioning to life in LA and Vegas, learning to be comfortable in the uncertainty,  motivations, making mouthpiece magic, myth-busting, what he learned from Maynard, and so much more!  

So pour yourself a big glass, pull up a chair, and let the hang begin! 

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Find out more about The MF Protocol and Lynn’s other products at: http://james-r-new.com/affiliates/lynn-nicholson.html 

Sound like a million bucks without breaking the bank with Barkley Microphones: http://barkleymic.com/ 

Let Vennture Mouthpieces help you on your search for the perfect mouthpiece. Use the code "TRUMPETGURUS21" to get 10% off your purchase: https://www.vennture.mp/ 

If you play hard, you need to make sure you show your chops some love with Robinson's Remedies products: bit.ly/ChopLove  

Let Jose help you master your mental game: bit.ly/MindfulnessSecrets 

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00:00:00 Intro 

00:04:13 Stumbling onto the MF Protocol 

00:05:41 The need for a methodical approach 

00:08:37 Having an inquiring mind 

00:12:39 Being surrounded by greatness 

00:15:39 Transitioning to life in LA and Vegas 

00:23:40 Learning to be comfortable in the uncertainty 

00:27:00 Motivations 

00:40:07 Making mouthpiece magic 

00:50:51 Myth-busting 

01:01:36 What he learned from Maynard 

01:12:42 Sound Off 

01:14:07 Geared Up 

01:17:01 Rapid Fire Round

My guest for this episode is Mark Zauss.  

Mark is back by popular demand for another hang. There are few people who can talk about the physical and mental demands of the modern trumpet player as authoritatively as Mark. His seemingly magical range and power made him a mainstay at Disney's Magic Kingdom with both Future Corp and The Main Street Philharmonic. But when you combine his battle-tested chops with his skills as a licensed clinical psychotherapist, you get the ultimate resource for your trumpet playing woes.  

Check out what Mark has to say about how the pandemic has affected our mental health, the increase of anxiety in musicians, practical ways to deal with anxiety, focusing on the breath, why things tend to go wrong, how he resets after a tough set, tips to coordinate the mind and body, the breathing process, understanding triggers, reframing, the importance of routine, his approach to warming up, learning to put it all together, learning from your students, and so much more!  

So pour yourself a big glass, pull up a chair, and let the hang begin! 

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Want to schedule a lesson with Mark? Check him out at https://www.markzauss.net/ 

Sound like a million bucks without breaking the bank with Barkley Microphones: http://barkleymic.com/ 

Let Vennture Mouthpieces help you on your search for the perfect mouthpiece. Use the code "TRUMPETGURUS21" to get 10% off your purchase: https://www.vennture.mp/ 

If you play hard, you need to make sure you show your chops some love with Robinson's Remedies products: bit.ly/ChopLove  

Let Jose help you master your mental game: bit.ly/MindfulnessSecrets 

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00:00:00 Intro 

00:03:12 How the pandemic has affected our mental health 

00:06:35 The increase of anxiety in musicians 

00:08:02 Practical ways to deal with anxiety 

00:14:02 Focusing on the breath 

00:16:50 Why things tend to go wrong 

00:21:31 How he resets after a tough set 

00:25:21 Tips to coordinate the mind and body 

00:29:47 The breathing process 

00:35:26 Understanding triggers 

00:40:22 Reframing 

00:44:38 The importance of routine 

00:47:59 His approach to warming up 

00:51:43 Learning to put it all together 

00:57:17 Learning from your students 

00:59:22 Sound Off 

01:00:32 Geared Up 

01:05:34 Rapid Fire Round

Welcome to the Trumpet Gurus’ Hang podcast. I’m your host, Jose Johnson.

My guest for this episode is Rex Richardson.

Rex is all about the big picture. Rex uses his virtuoso-level classical technique to take his jazz playing to heights few can reach. And he brings the freedom of his spontaneous and expressive improvisational skills to the sometimes predictable world of classical trumpet playing. Plus Rex is a committed educator and has never lost sight of the impact that music can make on the lives of others.

Check out what Rex has to say about finding his niche, helping his students find balance, finding your groove, jazz as a life skill, why mistakes aren't always a bad thing, his theory on the "perfection movement" in orchestral music, finding the balance between technique and expression, rebounding from mistakes, getting lost in the music, 100 days of practice, and so much more.

So pour yourself a big glass, pull up a chair, and let the hang begin!

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Find out more about Rex Richardson at https://www.rexrichardson.net/

Sound like a million bucks without breaking the bank with Barkley Microphones: http://barkleymic.com/

Let Vennture Mouthpieces help you on your search for the perfect mouthpiece. Use the code "TRUMPETGURUS21" to get 10% off your purchase: https://www.vennture.mp/

If you play hard, you need to make sure you show your chops some love with Robinson's Remedies products: bit.ly/ChopLove

Let Jose help you master your mental game: bit.ly/MindfulnessSecrets

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00:00:00 Intro

00:04:06 Finding his niche

00:10:24 Helping his students find balance

00:13:29 Finding your groove

00:18:15 Jazz as a life skill

00:31:39 Why mistakes aren't always a bad thing

00:36:03 His theory on the "perfection movement" in orchestral music

00:39:14 Finding the balance between technique and expression

00:46:18 Rebounding from mistakes

00:51:02 Getting lost in the music

00:55:10 100 days of practice

00:59:46 Sound Off

01:06:10 Geared Up

01:10:47 Rapid Fire Round

My guest for this episode is Brian Shaw.

Brian is not afraid to try something new. While his original passion for playing the trumpet came from Maynard Ferguson, Bryan found his education leading him down the classical path. Bryan is highly regarded for his skills on the Baroque trumpet and is Co-Principal Trumpet of the Dallas Winds, Principal of the Baton Rouge Symphony, Santa Fe Pro Musica, and Spire Baroque Orchestra But he still loves to play jazz and crank out the high notes.

Check out what Brian has to say about life changes, the mouthpiece buzzing controversy, different learning styles, baroque trumpet, lessons from playing period instruments, managing different playing situations, the benefit of musical variety, teaching vs learning, why he's happy he learned to play high notes, Louis Dowdeswell and Jacob Collier, writing about the life of Kenny Wheeler, creating your own voice, and so much more.

So pour yourself a big glass, pull up a chair, and let the hang begin!

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Check out Brian's music and No BS with BS blog at: https://brianshawmusic.com/home

Sound like a million bucks without breaking the bank with Barkley Microphones: http://barkleymic.com/

Let Vennture Mouthpieces help you on your search for the perfect mouthpiece. Use the code "TRUMPETGURUS21" to get 10% off your purchase: https://www.vennture.mp/

If you play hard, you need to make sure you show your chops some love with Robinson's Remedies products: bit.ly/ChopLove

Let Jose help you master your mental game: bit.ly/MindfulnessSecrets

My guest for this episode is Bryan Davis.  

Bryan is paying it forward. Originally from the UK, Bryan relocated to The US and quickly established himself as a fixture in the New York City music scene. But things haven’t always come easy for Bryan, and chop problems forced him to seek out the help he needed to become a more efficient player. He’s now committed to providing practical advice to trumpet players around the globe through his Airflow Music books and videos.  

Check out what Bryan has to say about making the move to New York, learning on the job, the business of music education, blowing out his chops, chop help from Roger Ingram, looking for a better way to play, context, being willing to look for the lesson in the moment, starting Airflow Music, twisted studies, the genius of Herbert L. Clarke, the importance of smoothness, teaching smoothness, efficiency, technology, practical skills for the touring musician, and so much more.  

So pour yourself a big glass, pull up a chair, and let the hang begin! 

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Find out more about Bryan at https://bryandav.is/ 

Check out Bryan’s books and learning resources at https://airflowmusic.com/ 

Sound like a million bucks without breaking the bank with Barkley Microphones: http://barkleymic.com/ 

Let Vennture Mouthpieces help you on your search for the perfect mouthpiece. Use the code "TRUMPETGURUS21" to get 10% off your purchase: https://www.vennture.mp/ 

If you play hard, you need to make sure you show your chops some love with Robinson's Remedies products: bit.ly/ChopLove 

Let Jose help you master your mental game: bit.ly/MindfulnessSecrets 

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00:00:00 Intro 00:02:30

Making the move to New York 00:04:46

Learning on the job 

00:08:54 The business of music education 

00:13:06 Blowing out his chops 

00:18:24 Chop help from Roger Ingram 

00:24:38 Looking for a better way to play 

00:26:56 Context 

00:31:44 Being willing to look for the lesson in the moment 

00:33:58 Starting Airflow Music 

00:41:28 Twisted studies 

00:46:01 The genius of Herbert L. Clarke 

00:50:13 The importance of smoothness 

00:53:57 Teaching smoothness 

00:59:48 Efficiency 

01:05:25 Technology 

01:09:53 Practical skills for the touring musician 

01:13:22 Sound Off 

01:17:14 Shameless plug for Barkley Microphones 

01:19:04 Geared Up 

01:24:57 Rapid Fire Round

My guest for this episode is Brad Goode.  

Brad is old-school. While many of his contemporaries were learning about jazz in the halls of academia, Brad was getting his education the traditional way, jamming and hanging with masters of their craft. But Brad’s unique sound was almost silenced by severe chop problems leading him to develop a deeper understanding of the mechanical workings of the embouchure. And that knowledge has not only given him back his voice but has taken his playing to new heights.  

Check out what Brad has to say about being a multi-instrumentalist, the role of rhythm, getting bitten by the jazz bug, preparing students for success, learning jazz the old way, what's wrong with modern jazz pedagogy, the power of the jam session, relearning how to play the trumpet, why you should never ice your lips, how the Reinhardt Pivot System saved his career, his passion for helping people understand embouchure, and so much more.  

So pour yourself a big glass, pull up a chair, and let the hang begin! 

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Learn more about Brad at: https://www.bradgoode.com

Sound like a million bucks without breaking the bank with Barkley Microphones: http://barkleymic.com/

Let Vennture Mouthpieces help you on your search for the perfect mouthpiece. Use the code "TRUMPETGURUS21" to get 10% off your purchase: https://www.vennture.mp/

If you play hard, you need to make sure you show your chops some love with Robinson's Remedies products: bit.ly/ChopLove 

Let Jose help you master your mental game: bit.ly/MindfulnessSecrets 

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00:00:00 Intro  

00:02:56 Being a multi-instrumentalist  

00:06:26 The role of rhythm  

00:13:04 Getting bitten by the jazz bug  

00:18:51 Preparing students for success  

00:23:24 Learning jazz the old way  

00:33:52 What's wrong with modern jazz pedagogy  

00:41:32 The power of the jam session  

00:46:22 Relearning how to play the trumpet  

00:54:49 Why you should never ice your lips  

01:02:21 How the Reinhardt Pivot System saved his career  

01:05:28 His passion for helping people understand embouchure  

01:17:40 Sound Off  

01:21:50 Geared Up  

01:28:33 Rapid Fire Round