Trumpet Tones

[rollhead]

Rex Stewart was a cornet player as well, and, frankly, I prefer my trumpet tones played on a cornet.

[stonemonkts]

I knew Bix played the cornet. So did Armstrong, for that matter. But people usually include the two instruments when engaging in these types of discussions.

If I had to stick to trumpet, I'd say I admire Freddie Hubbard's tone more than most. Then probably Clifford Brown.

Bix' sound on his instrument is my easy pick for trumpet and/or cornet tone.

[groover]

No problem, Stone, I was just pointing out that the cornet (as well as the flugelhorn) has a sweeter, less strident tone than the trumpet. Bix was a virtuoso, no doubt, but some of his tone was due to his choice of instrument.

[stonemonkts]

No problem here too, Groover! I appreciated what you posted describing the cornet.

[JazzAt52ndStreet]

FYI:T other descendants of natural horns fell into disuse.

what might these horns be?

[Dennis Gonzalez]

I loved Enrico Rava's playing when he was a younger man...very Italian-sounding and a bit sexy. But I really love what Rava's sound has changed into now that he is a, let us say, mature man. His newest sound makes me cry, it's so beautiful.

On his Pirates of Flamenco CD, Jerry Gonzalez's sound is beautiful...almost sentimental. Full of pain and hope.

[jazzy mary]

Birdland is having a big Italian Fest soon and Enrico is going to be there. I think I will try to attend some of the gigs.

[Dennis Gonzalez]

Birdland is having a big Italian Fest soon and Enrico is going to be there. I think I will try to attend some of the gigs.

Oh, wow...sounds so cool. I hope to get to see Rava soon again. First (and Last) time I saw him was in Ft. Worth with George Gruntz's Big Band at Caravan of Dreams...the other trumpeters were marvin Stamm, Franco Ambrosetti, and Manfred Schoof! Whew!

[Bill Barton]

If we're talking strictly tone and not necessarily ideas and/or originality, many of the names mentioned so far would not be on my *short list.*

Some would...

Joe Wilder
Ruby Braff (yeah, I know he played cornet)
Bill Coleman
Art Farmer (pre-flugel he sounded like he was playing one!)
Kenny Wheeler
Enrico Rava
Tomasz Stanko
Freddie Hubbard

[groover]

what might these horns be?

Valveless french horns and bugles, I believe.

http://www.public.asu.edu/~jqerics/natural_horn.htm

Modern brass instruments generally possess better intonation than comparable early instruments due both to their more efficient internal tapers and the avoidance, through the use of valves, of the most out of tune harmonics, which had to be used on the natural horn to obtain a complete scale.

Players discovered that by inserting the hand into the bell of the horn they could alter the pitch of the instrument for improved intonation and additional pitches, and that they could also make the tonal color darker and more mellow.

[hornplayer]

My favorite trumpet tone of all is the sound made by Bix. Considering how old those recordings are, his sound still manages to come through to my ears sweet and clear.

Interesting, since I thought Bix played a cornet.

oops... didn't see that someone had already mentioned this... but SM... cornet is a much brassier sounding instrument than trumpet.

[frank m]

Joe Wilder has to be heard to be believed on flugelhorn. Likewise someone you missed--Clark Terry. But my favorite of all horn sounds, outside of Bix, who is beyond all comparison, (at least to me) is someone who is never mentioned here, probably because he's left bop and the modern jazz scene for more traditional fare. That's Warren Vache, who is now playing cornet.
and has been for years, but with a beautiful tone.
All of this is IMHO.

[frank m]

Bobby Hackett was one of those rare people who is instantly identifiable for his tone as well as his general musical approach.(Sorry Bobby)

[phlppo]

Johnny Coles on "So Sweet My Little Girl," from Little Johhny C.

Duke Pearson's tune written for his daughter Cynthia. In the liner notes Duke Pearson writes, "Johnny's sound here is that of a proud parent serenading his own little daughter."

I'd have to agree with him.

[ericdevin]

1. Don Cherry - his sound on the duo CD with Ed Blackwell, El Corazon is pretty untouchable
2. Wadada Leo Smith - his playing on Matthew Shipp's New Orbit is so dry and acerbic - truly beautiful
3. Bill Dixon - anything really, probably the last player to truly redefine the instrument
4. Joe McPhee - pocket trumpet never sounded so gorgeous
5. Roy Campbell - Ethnic Stew & Brew
6. Raphe Malik - His playing on the Jimmy Lyons box set is brilliant, brassy boppy and hard
7. Miles Davis - The Complete In A Silent Way box
8. Matt Lavelle - His playing on his two Eye Contact discs is out of this world.
9. Baikida Carroll - Julius Hemphill's Coon Bid'ness is a great document
10. Lewis "flip" Barnes William parker's sound Unity

Best
Eric

[Vince Kargatis]

Unmentioned is one of my very favorite tones: Butch Morris's cornet. I think I'd use the word "adore", and it pains me that he's mostly stopped playing.

[shrugs]

I really miss Olu Dara the brass man not the blues man.

[ericdevin]

Olu Dara- I must agree - I love his work with Henry Threadgill and David Murray.

Vince-

Butch Morris is curating the Stone in March - I am going to go see his large ensemble on the 18th.

Best
Eric

[Hot Ptah]

Jabbo Smith, Harry James, Ziggy Elman, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Cootie Williams, Harold "Shorty" Baker.

[John L]

Though not remembered much today, Frankie Newton was somebody who could blow you away just with his tone alone.

[edpack]

Gotta like Wallace Roney, beautiful, round, almost soft tone, even when he's wailing. Awesome control.

[Uli]

Kenny Dorham has a very rich and soulful tone.

[Al in NYC]

Geez folks... Dizzy!!

[Rob C]

Axel Doerner

[Felix]

Tomasz Stanko (poignant attack)
Lester Bowie (could play any trumpet tone...)
Clark Terry and Art Farmer (also on fluegel)
Kenny Wheeler
I don't know if you could say Don Cherry had a great tone, but his phrasing was certainly unique.
the growlers: Cootie Williams, Rex Stewart, Bubber Miley,...
Dizzy and Miles both sounded great with a (Harmon?) mute

Oh, and Harry Beckett

[Palomorado]

Joe McPhee

[matt lavelle]

roy campbell

roy is one of the greatest flugelhorn players ever.very,very personal...african sound,...no one has his range on flugel

HANNIBAL

everyone sleeps on this powerful,powerful soul brother

raphe malik

when raphe played the blues it was right down to the bone

booker little

an entire lifetime,..lifetimes of music from the 22 old trumpet man,..holding down trumpet next to ERIC DOLPHY.trane wanted booker in the band.

woody

running down those intervals,...THE man for the 70's

[matt lavelle]

dizzy on harmon,ending ballads on the major 7 below low c

dizzy with duke:U.M.M.G


clark terry with the metropole orchestra on flugel,...singing


WILLIE COOK!!!!!!!!!

[matt lavelle]

thad jones on cornet!

[rollhead]

Bobby Hackett was one of those rare people who is instantly identifiable for his tone as well as his general musical approach.(Sorry Bobby)

As Looie said, "Bobby has MORE ingredients!"



Saw Ara Anderson with Tin Hat a couple of months ago. Very, very warm trumpet tone.