The Cinnamon Club
Bold as Brass
It was Allen Vizzutti's amazing musicianship which really
struck me. He is world renowned for being a technician, but
what really comes across, and what I enjoyed most in his
performance, was his amazing sound and his lyrical musical
interpretations. That, and the jaw-dropping way he screams
high Cs and beyond, which he seemed to be able to do
effortlessly!
It was an early rise this morning, to get to Altrincham for
the start of the "Bold as Brass" day. I had been
recommended to go by Peter Pollard (from Dawsons in
Manchester) who was actually the organiser, and reason the
day went so smoothly and was such a success!
When I arrived, the first class had already started (as it
took a while for myself and Sam (trombonist from college
and fellow octet member) to find the venue from the tram
station). The first class was a demonstration of Taylor
Trumpets given by Bryan Corbett. This was good, and it was
especially interesting as the maker and designer of Taylor
Trumpets (Andy Taylor) was there, and sat just in front of
me! He was able to explain why this particular choice of
horn was suitable for Bryan and the story of its inception
and how Bryan came to buy it. There were lots of questions
asked by the audience and a few jazz pieces played with
accompaniment from the Rhythm section of students from the
Chetham's School of Music, in Manchester, who were
excellent.
After Taylor had finished their talk, there was a brief
interval (which gave me the chance to hit the trade stands)
and the first instrument I picked up of the day was the
Edwards Trumpet, in silver plate. From the moment I put my
mouthpiece into it and played the first notes, I really
liked it, and as I continued to play, I liked it even more
especially as I could do lip flexibilities with ease. I
can't quite put my finger on why this trumpet felt so great
to me, perhaps it was the imitation Bach lead-pipe and
interchangeable bell just suited me, or perhaps it was a
combination of things, but I really liked the way this
instrument responded to subtle movements in my chops and I
especially liked the range of sounds I seemed to be able to
produce on it. Given, also, that this was the first
instrument I had played all day, I decided, to make it a
fair test, to have a quick blow on my trumpet to warm me up
and remind me of what I am measuring perspective new
instruments against. I did this and went back to the
Edwards trumpet a couple of minutes later, it felt just as
good, if not better!
After the short interlude, the BBC Philharmonic trumpet
section (Jamie Prophet, Mark Mosley and Elaine Close) were
on, and playing some trios, orchestral excerpts and later
quartets (with an added member of the audience). This group
were good and I was just happy listening. Jamie Prophet
still recognises me from the Isle of Man (Manx Youth
Orchestra) and subsequent meetings, and he saw that I was
sat near the front, and my trumpet was in its case under my
seat. He asked the audience if anyone would like to come up
and try the piece they had just done, there was an
under-whelming reply which followed. He then asked "has
anyone got their trumpet?", which blatantly I had. I still
kept quiet. He then looked towards me and said, "have you
got your trumpet?", which when I replied and said yes, he
took this as meaning, yes I want to play! Anyway, I went up
and played the orchestral excerpt with Mark and Elaine
(without Jamie as I was landed on first!) I managed quite
well and Sam kindly took a photo of me in action!
(Elaine Close, Russell Gilmour, Mark Mosley and Jamie
Prophet)
After the BBC Phil, there was a lunch break, when I hit the
Yamaha stands. I really liked the Yamaha Eb Trumpet they
had. They had the same model that I had been playing until
this year (provided by the Isle of Man Department of
Education - the one that I played the Hummel Trumpet
Concerto on) and they had the next model up. The next model
up was really, really free blowing and I could easily hit a
top C. It was also really good to have four valves (and a
beautifully positioned off-set fourth valve at that). This
was ten times the trumpet I had to do the Hummel on, for
starters the valves moved properly and the triggers moved!)
I moved through the stands and played a rotary yamaha,
various Xeno trumpets, Xeno cornets and eventually had a go
on the 4-valve Piccolo Trumpet. I had never played Piccolo
Trumpet in my life up until this point, and when I got the
pitching sorted, I loved it, although it was really hard
work still. Most people (including me, until I tried it)
think that the Piccolo is an instrument which makes the
notes sound high, that somehow you play a bottom C on Bb
trumpet into a Piccolo trumpet and out pops a Super C. No.
Unfortunately not, it is just as hard work, it's just more
accurate and in-tune using a Piccolo!). I then reverted to
the 4-valve Eb Yamaha and I could really play that after
having been so constricted on the Picc! After playing that
Piccolo, I could get higher on Eb and later Bb!
I was talking to some of the Manxies (people from the Isle
of Man) from Chetham's and I was introduced to a teacher
Adrian Horn, who is the administrator on the Brass-forum which I have been using
and loving for some time now! It was great to finally
meet him and put a face to the name!
When I was on the Yamaha stand, I heard an American voice,
enquiring about the lowest model of trumpet Yamaha do, and
he had a play of it, I turned around and saw it was Allen
Vizzutti. I carried on playing (probably the Piccolo or Eb)
and made a bit of a split, to which he patted me on the
shoulder and said something along the lines of "that
happens to me too", which I found highly amusing - I didn't
hear him split a note all day!
I made my way around the other stands and tried every
trumpet there, as I'd never been to an event with so many
trumpets to try . I had a go on some Taylors, which I
liked, but I know that I would not be able to live with at
this point of my playing. They are also a very expensive
tool for just Jazz playing, as it is not really an
orchestral instrument. They are also very heavy, even the
ones without the trimmings are incredibly heavy! It was
nice to play them, but I do not get a true impression on
these instruments because I tried to avoid using my
mouthpiece. The Taylor mouthpieces are weighted to balance
the horn and metal is added to the mouthpiece in ratio to
the rest of the instrument to keep it balanced. This being
the case, it felt weird when I used my (non
Taylor-balanced) mouthpiece, and it felt equally weird
using their alien mouthpieces, as it was not the size or
shape I am used to.
After lunch, Chris Houlding was doing a clinic for
trombonists and promoting the Edwards instruments. He had a
very interesting way of approaching this, and basically
gave four students from Chetham's a short lesson (and
played some unaccompanied pieces in-between to show off
both himself and the (Edwards) instrument). At the end he
explained why he uses Edwards. "I'm happy with this
instrument now, and I don't want to use the Edwards theory
of swapping and changing individual parts...[I use this
option more as]...my insurance policy" - Chris Holding. I
liked this idea of finding a combination that works, then
sticking to it, but not being tied down to it permanently.
I decided to get my Vizzutti book signed, and I also wanted
my photograph taking to go on my trumpet playing wall of
fame. The mission is, to get photographs of me and famous
or acclaimed trumpet players. There are now at least two I
can think of in the collection: This one and the one of me
and Digby Fairweather.
Allen Vizzutti and Russell Gilmour
Allen Vizzutti had now started doing rehearsals for the
evening concert with Chets' brass players. The rehearsals
were intriguing to watch, especially as he must have been
sight-reading or playing it by ear. It was brilliant and
the evening concert was even better! It was especially nice
as I got the pleasure of hearing Allen play the Flügel Horn
as well as the Piccolo and Bb Trumpets. This was a great
variation and showed his versatility of sounds and tone.
The evening concert was also excellent with performances
from the "Music for Life Big Band" and "Chetham's Brass
Band" as well as "Chetham's Jazz Sextet with special guest
Allen Vizzutti"
Before Peter Pollard (from Dawsons) packed away all the
instruments (having previously seen or heard me playing the
Yamaha Piccolo) he asked me to try his prototype "Pollard"
Piccolo Trumpet, which he has built himself. It was really
good, and really free blowing and could give the Yamaha
some competition. It would be interesting to see what a
more seasoned Piccolo player than myself though of it, but
I gave Peter a rough idea, as he said he doesn't get to
play much these days.
I stayed until about 10:30 (when I had been there for
approaching 13 hours!) and decided I'd better make my way
back to Altrincham, where I could get the tram back. I
would have loved to stay longer, and I dragged it out as
long as possible as it was!
Quotes from
Vizzutti:
"If you don't miss a note, you're not playing Trumpet!" -
Allen Vizzutti (18/11/2006)
"Chop time!" - Allen Vizzutti (18/11/2006) (This refers to
the time when you let your chops have a work-out)
"You have your fresh moments and your shot moments, and you
play most of it in the middle" Allen Vizzutti (18/11/2006)
"I've got a gun-rack on the back of my Mercedes, but I
don't put a gun in it, I put a trombone in it, that scares
them off!" - Allen Vizzutti (18/11/2006) (He was a great
comedian as well)
"Try not to use the 'Octave Key' '" Allen Vizzutti
(20/11/06) at RNCM master class (in reference to the
pressure used when you 'press' by pulling on the right hand
valve hook)
Videos of
Vizzutti: (16/08/2006)
This was my first glimpse of
Allen Vizzutti playing (on stage, not at the trade stand!),
he just broke into "Carnival of Venice" mid sentence for a
laugh and I couldn't really grab the camera fast enough!:
This video is of the Allen playing the piccolo trumpet part
to the Beatles song "Penny Lane" which was originally
recorded on the track by David Mason.
I added this video to YouTube to add to my blog, it shows
Allen Vizzutti playing some Jazz:
Please contact me if you have enjoyed this
article!
Many Thanks to Dawsons, (especially Peter Pollard), The
Cinnamon Club and The ITG (International Trumpet
Guild) for recommending this blog
entry on their website.
Above: My "trumpet bibles!"