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March 2009 Welcome to the "News" page. Wow, March is here and the gig season is busy as usual. It sure seems a little less busy than most years, but considering the economy, I'm happy to be playing as much as I am. Recently I've been playing more with the Phoenix Symphony. During the 90's I used to play with them quite a bit, and with several other "legit" groups, chamber orchestras, etc.... But when the Latin thing hit in the late 90's (remember Ricky Martin, LOL), the work was in playing commercial/Latin trumpet, so that's what I did. Well, that scene is all but dead, as is the live club band thing, so I've made a move back to getting my "legit", classical chops back together. To be honest, getting my "legit" chops back together has been harder than I thought it would be, but its been well worth it. I'm really enjoying rediscovering the C trumpet, and REALLY digging the process of creating that fat, rich, warm, classical sound. I didn't realize how much I missed classical/orchestral trumpet playing. The best part is playing once again with my good friends in the PSO, great players and great guys. Yeah, it feels like I'm getting back to who I am as a musician, playing a large variety of music, in very different settings, and loving the challenge. To give you an idea, recent gigs have me playing a big band recording session, an arena gig backing acts in front of 12,000 people, a Top 40 casino R&B gig, Renaissance music/dinner theater, and this weekend a date with the Phoenix Symphony. Musically, chops wise, trumpet wise, that's A LOT of ground to cover, but its the challenge of playing horn section lead in a cover band one night, then getting up for a 10 AM down beat with the Phoenix Symphony the next morning that really gets my blood pumping! I love the variety, and the challenge of performing at a high level in such varied settings. Simply put.... Its fun! Thanks for visiting! Ray |
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