The Other Side Of The Bell - A Trumpet Podcast

This podcast contains advice for trumpet players of all levels, stories from Bob Reeves Brass, and interviews with trumpet players.

Kellin Hanas: Find People who Align with You and Your Values, and Stick With Them. Ep. 154 04/01/2026

Kellin Hanas: Find People who Align with You and Your Values, and Stick With Them. Ep. 154 This episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring trumpet performer, producer and creator Louis Dowdeswell, is brought to you by . This episode also appears as a video episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: "" It all started with a dream, at four years old: an actual dream, that sticks in her memory to this day. Kellin Hanas is known for her social media presence, her combination of comedy and trumpet, and her recognition as a bright young star on the jazz trumpet circuit. She joins us today to share her back story of having that first light bulb moment in a vivid dream, to then picking up the trumpet at seven years old and forcing the adults in the room to let her play it, and on through her years in elementary and high school, sharing the profound yet tragic story of her teacher and mentor. Someone who remains a tremendous influence. Starting college at the Manhattan School of Music during the peak of COVID, Kellin navigated the bizarre and unprecedented challenges of those years with perseverance and grace, leading to professional contacts and opportunities right out of the gate. But you probably recognize her most from her social media, which has gone viral to the tune of over 100,00 followers on Instagram and TikTok, thanks to her unique combination of professional jazz trumpet and stand-up comedy. Learn all about the stories and inspirations that make up Kellin Hanas in this inspiring conversation! About Kellin Hanas: Hailed in the International Trumpet Guild Journal as “one of the best up and coming jazz musicians on the globe”, 24 year old Kellin Hanas is a trumpeter, composer, educator and comedian based out of New York City and Chicago. A recent graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, she has studied under legendary trumpeters such as Ingrid Jensen and Scott Wendholt. Kellin can currently be seen on tour with her own band, as well as The DIVA Jazz Orchestra, The Carnegie Hall Ensemble, the Grace Fox Big Band, Ted Nash Big Band, and actor and fashion legend Isaac Mizrahi. Kellin is also thrilled to be holding the trumpet chair for Heathers The Musical in NYC at New World Stages, and occasionally you can see her at Broadway’s Just In Time as well. She is the recipient of the 2024 Laurie Frink Career Grant, and was also the 1st place winner of the 2024 ITG Ryan Anthony Memorial Jazz Improvisation Competition. Since 2022, Hanas has been the leader of her own band, the Kellin Hanas Quintet, which debuted in the upstairs of the iconic Birdland Jazz Club. Since then, she has taken her band to many venues and festivals, as well as colleges and universities around the US. An accomplished composer and arranger, her music has been performed across the country. She has also performed with celebrities such as Darren Criss, Titus Burgess, the Manhattan Transfer, and Michael Feinstein. As a side-woman, Hanas has shared the stage with many jazz legends, such as Sean Jones, Christian McBride, Melissa Aldana, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Chad LB, Ted Nash and Arturo Sandoval. Kellin was also a musician in the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with Jonathan Groff and the Just In Time Band. As an educator, Hanas has been invited to several colleges, universities and festivals to perform and teach. Some past visits include Ohio State University, Louisiana State University, Kennesaw State University and University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire, as well as regional Essentially Ellington festivals. As of 2026, Hanas has released 3 books and 1 video course with Jazz Lesson Videos, and continues to create educational content with them. As of January 2026, Hanas has amassed a following of over 250k fans online, from her musical and comedic content. She hopes to use her platform to inspire, connect with others, and spread laughter and joy. Hanas is a Bach and Conn-Selmer endorsed artist. Episode Links: Bob Reeves Brass Upcoming Events and Appearances: Metropolitan Music, April 10-11, Kirkland, WA International Trumpet Guild, Washington Chapter, April 12, Bellingham, WA Valve alignments: First come, first served! Arkansas Trumpet Day, April 18th, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR Valve alignments: First come, first served! Podcast Credits: “A Room with a View“ - composed and performed by Podcast Host - Cover Photo Credit - Courtesy Kellin Hanas Audio Engineer - /episode/index/show/bobreevesbrass/id/40668050

Louis Dowdeswell: Finding Your "Why" for Playing Trumpet. Ep. 153 03/18/2026

Louis Dowdeswell: Finding Your "Why" for Playing Trumpet. Ep. 153 This episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring trumpet performer, producer and creator Louis Dowdeswell, is brought to you by . This episode also appears as a video episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: "" Louis Dowdeswell has an invitation for you, especially if you're embarking on a career as a professional musician: Find your Why. It may not be as obvious as you think! It'll take time, hard work and introspection. But you're a trumpet player: you already know what that's like! Louis joins us today for what evolves into a deep conversation with tremendous insight. This episode creeps up on you. As Louis' stories and perspectives sink in, it'll get you thinking. He's a YouTube star, founder of a successful trumpet academy, and a productive working musician. But Louis has been through his share of doubts, challenges and uncertainties - he almost gave the trumpet up in 2023. If though you've ever needed inspiration to do something, to just start, and ignore what anyone might say or think about it: listen to this episode. Louis' endearingly positive and thoughtful personality will help you along your way. In the words of Tim McGraw: "When you get where you're going, turn back around and take a look. Help the next one in line. Always be humble and kind." About Louis Dowdeswell: Louis Dowdeswell is one of the most in-demand trumpeters of his generation, known for his powerful lead playing, versatility, and distinctive sound. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music and later awarded Associate of the Royal Academy of Music (ARAM), he has built a career that bridges jazz, classical, pop, and film. Louis performed lead trumpet on Michael Bublé’s Grammy Award-winning track Higher and has played for King Charles at Buckingham Palace. His Louis Dowdeswell Big Band has attracted millions of listeners worldwide, with over 30 million views online. As a performer, Louis has appeared with the London Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, and the BBC Concert Orchestra, and has played in numerous West End productions, including Wicked, Book of Mormon, Dreamgirls, and MJ the Musical. He has also shared the stage with artists such as Robbie Williams, Michael Bublé, Katherine Jenkins, Brian May, Teddy Swims, and Franz Ferdinand. On the recording front, Louis has worked with Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Robbie Williams, Gary Barlow, Celeste, Seal, Michael Ball & Alfie Boe, and more. His trumpet can be heard on blockbuster films including James Bond – No Time To Die, Barbie, Aladdin, Cats, and Don’t Look Up, where he was the featured soloist. Louis is an International Conn Selmer / Vincent Bach Artist and the founder of Louis’ Trumpet Academy, a global education platform awarded the Skool Games Q1 Prize for innovation in 2025. He lives with his wife, Milly, an opera singer, and their two boys, Reggie and Stanley, grounding his busy career in faith and family. Episode Links: Bob Reeves Brass Upcoming Events and Appearances: National Trumpet Festival, March 20-22, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA Metropolitan Music, April 10-11, Kirkland, WA Arkansas Trumpet Day, April 18th, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR Podcast Credits: “A Room with a View“ - composed and performed by Podcast Host - Cover Photo Credit - Courtesy Louis Dowdeswell Audio Engineer - /episode/index/show/bobreevesbrass/id/40499010

Jay Webb: How to Say "Yes" to a Gig With Confidence. Ep. 152 03/04/2026

Jay Webb: How to Say "Yes" to a Gig With Confidence. Ep. 152 This episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring trumpet performer Jay Webb, is brought to you by . This episode also appears as a video episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: "" You might know him from TikTok, or perhaps any of the myriad projects where he appears: The Hornheads, the Cory Wong and the Wongnotes YouTube series, any number of Broadway orchestra pits, the Grammy-winning 8-Bit Big Band, or most recently his Doc Severinsen tribute project (DST Band). Jay Webb is as versatile as they come, and today he shares his story and advice on how to forge a career in the 2020's. We talk about his late start in reading music, having learned to play by ear first, and then how moving to New Orleans provided a unique musical experience and education. Jay shares insight on the balance between touring and freelancing, and that when bringing his career back to Philadelphia years later, it was thanks to having maintained connections in the music industry that he was able to quickly find more opportunities. You never know who you might connect with and ask you to sub in for a gig, last minute. Jay shows us how to say "Yes" with confidence, and build the professional career that works for you. Don't let someone else define your career! About Jay Webb: Jay Webb is one of today’s most versatile and in demand trumpet players, seamlessly moving between the concert hall, the recording studio, and the world’s biggest stages. Whether performing with the National Symphony Orchestra, laying down pristine studio tracks, or sharing the spotlight with artists like Cory Wong, Shakira, Lake Street Dive, Ed Sheeran, Queen Latifah, John Legend, and the Grammy Award–winning 8-Bit Big Band, Jay has earned a reputation as a musician who truly does it all. Born in Hamburg, New Jersey, Jay was introduced to the trumpet at the age of three by his father. His natural ability and sharp ear were evident early on, and by fourth grade he was already playing in the school band. From there, his talent and dedication propelled him into a lifelong career in music. Jay’s newest project, The DST Band, is a heartfelt tribute to legendary trumpeter Doc Severinsen. With dazzling recreations of Severinsen’s most memorable performances, the ensemble breathes new life into beloved big band classics such as Stardust, I’m Getting Sentimental Over You, and Flying Home. Today, Jay is widely recognized as one of the world’s premier trumpet players in both live performance and studio settings. Beyond the stage, he is also a highly sought-after clinician, inspiring the next generation of musicians with his artistry and insight. When not touring internationally, Jay remains deeply connected to New York City’s vibrant music scene. He can often be found performing in Broadway orchestras and contributing to an array of recording projects, continuing to showcase the versatility and excellence that define his career. Jay Webb is Yamaha Performance artist, and plays Yamaha horns exclusively. Episode Links: Bob Reeves Brass Upcoming Events and Appearances: National Trumpet Festival, March 20-22, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA Metropolitan Music, April 10-11, Kirkland, WA Arkansas Trumpet Day, April 18th, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR Podcast Credits: “A Room with a View“ - composed and performed by Podcast Host - Cover Photo Credit - Courtesy Jay Webb Audio Engineer - /episode/index/show/bobreevesbrass/id/40314995

Kyla Moscovich: Building a Career in Modern Trumpet. Ep. 151 02/18/2026

Kyla Moscovich: Building a Career in Modern Trumpet. Ep. 151 This episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring trumpet performer and recording artist Kyla Moscovich, is brought to you by . This episode also appears as a video episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: "" At a year old she had a trumpet in her hands, and she hasn't looked back since! Kyla Moscovich has built a burgeoning career that bridges classical, jazz and pop music, performing concerts all over the world and, more recently, developing her studio skills as well, on Grammy-nominated records. She has studied with Vincent Penzarella, Mark Gould, Laurie Frink and Tom Smith, was mentored by Jon Faddis, and was on stage at Carnegie Hall while still in her teens. Kyla's father was close friends with Bob Reeves, and so her potential and trajectory was apparent around the shop from very early days. But, as we talk about today, the trumpet was not necessarily an automatic pursuit. Kyla struggled to balance the expectations of practice and studying music with friends and normal kid activities, as any kid would, and we talk about what it was like growing up in that kind of environment, making the "jump into adulthood" earlier than most of us have. Our conversation today is a fascinating glimpse into how to build a modern career in the music industry playing trumpet, not to mention how to pursue your own musical tastes, and forge a path that's true to you. About Kyla Moscovich: Growing up in New York City, Kyla got her training from the Manhattan School of Music, studying Orchestral Performance and Arranging. After graduating with her undergraduate degree, she quickly entered into the studio space where she began writing, recording, and arranging, while taking her knowledge of harmony and sound and applying it to her unique musical fingerprint, which can be heard on many world renowned records. Now based in Los Angeles, multi Grammy nominated writer/arranger Kyla has become one of the most sought-after horn producers, collaborating with artists such as J. Cole, Drake, Beyoncé, Kanye West, Victoria Monét, Céline Dion, Diana Ross, and more. Episode Links: Instagram Bob Reeves Brass Upcoming Events and Appearances: Dillon Music, Feb. 26-28, Woodbridge, New Jersey National Trumpet Festival, March 20-22, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA Metropolitan Music, April 10-11, Kirkland, WA Arkansas Trumpet Day, April 18th, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR Podcast Credits: “A Room with a View“ - composed and performed by Podcast Host - Cover Photo Credit - Courtesy Kyla Moscovich Audio Engineer - /episode/index/show/bobreevesbrass/id/40049425

José Hernández: The Mariachi Master and a Lifetime of Innovation. Ep. 150 02/04/2026

José Hernández: The Mariachi Master and a Lifetime of Innovation. Ep. 150 This episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring Mariachi trumpet performer and recording artist José Hernández, is brought to you by . This episode also appears as a video episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: "" Few people have had a greater impact on Mariachi music over the past 50 years than José Hernández, and today José joins us to share his musical upbringing, his influences and education, his passion for education and some very interesting insights on balancing a professional music career with business ventures, such as his restaurants. José is a composer, arranger, performer and recording artist, including being a key musical coordinator on Linda Ronstadt's landmark 1987 Spanish album, Canciones de Mi Padre, where he helped guide her pronunciation and the Mariachi direction of the music. Plus, he continues to inspire younger generations through his educational programs, and founding two world-famous ensembles: Mariachi Sol de México®, and Reyna de Los Ángeles®, America’s first all-female professional mariachi ensemble. José is, relatively speaking, just down the road from us here at Bob Reeves Brass in Valencia, CA, so if you're in LA make sure to drop by both our shop and the Casa del Sol Cocina down in Irvine, for amazing food and entertainment! On Saturdays, the master could be there himself! About José Hernández: José Hernández is an internationally renowned Mariachi musician, composer, educator and cultural ambassador. He is the founder and musical force behind Mariachi Sol de México, the trailblazing Mariachi Reyna de Los Ángeles, the Mariachi Heritage Society and the Mariachi Rams, in partnership with the Los Angeles Rams. Born on August 27, 1958, in Mexicali, Baja California, José comes from a proud lineage of mariachis and musicians, with family musical roots tracing back to the 1700s. He was named after his grandfather, José Hernández, a musician born in 1901 in Jalisco, Mexico, who helped lay the musical foundation that would inspire future generations. In 1981, José founded Mariachi Sol de México® with a bold vision: to expand the boundaries of mariachi music and elevate the genre beyond its traditional roots in ranchera and golden-age Mexican cinema. Under his leadership, the ensemble has become a global ambassador for Mariachi, known for its musical excellence and genre-blending innovation. Throughout his illustrious career, José has been nominated for four American Grammy Awards and nine Latin Grammys. He has collaborated with a remarkable roster of artists, including Vicente and Alejandro Fernández, Luis Miguel, Marco Antonio Solís, Lola Beltrán, Celia Cruz, Selena, Vikki Carr, Linda Ronstadt, Arturo Sandoval, José Feliciano, the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and The Beach Boys. Today, José Hernández continues to perform, compose, and educate while working on his highly anticipated autobiography, which will reflect on his 50-year career and the profound impact of mariachi music on American culture and the global stage. Episode Links: Website: Restaurant: Bob Reeves Brass Upcoming Events and Appearances: Texas Music Educators Association Conference, Feb. 11-14, San Antonio, Texas Dillon Music, Feb. 26-28, Woodbridge, New Jersey National Trumpet Festival, March 20-22, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA Metropolitan Music, April 10-11, Seattle, WA Arkansas Trumpet Day, April 18th, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR Podcast Credits: “A Room with a View“ - composed and performed by Podcast Host - Cover Photo Credit - José Hernández Audio Engineer - /episode/index/show/bobreevesbrass/id/39942110

Johnny Thirkell: Jamiroquai, Spice Girls, BTS, 38 Number One Records - A Charmed Life! Ep. 149 01/21/2026

Johnny Thirkell: Jamiroquai, Spice Girls, BTS, 38 Number One Records - A Charmed Life! Ep. 149 This episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring trumpeter performer and recording artist Johnny Thirkell, is brought to you by . This episode also appears as a video episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: "" Find the expanded show notes, transcript and more photos here: About Johnny Thirkell: In a long and varied career, Johnny Thirkell has an impressive record of achievements and unparalleled experience as a trumpet player, producer and latterly as a tech entrepreneur. Upon leaving Leeds College of Music, he studied trumpet in New York with the great Carmine Caruso before embarking on a playing career which would see him perform in many genres of music at the highest level. From the B.B.C. Radio Orchestra through the Buddy Rich & Gil Evans Orchestras, and on in to the Rock & Pop industry, Johnny established himself as a versatile and adaptable musician of the highest calibre. A measure of his success lies in the fact that his trumpet playing featured on at least 1 album in the UK album chart, continuously, without a break for over 13 years, and at one point he was playing on 11 of the top 50 albums in a single week. He has performed on over 6000 recordings, more than 100 top ten albums and 38 US & UK No.1 records, including the recent BTS global smash "Dynamite." A natural progression along the way was into record production, and he has produced (or co-produced) over 250 commercial releases, and co-written many of the songs. Indeed, he has had over 500 songs published, including songs for artists as diverse as The Spice Girls (he co-wrote their early songs), Odyssey & The Three Degrees. In recent years he has focused on building and selling a number of businesses in the music and technology space. Johnny also enjoys employing his communication skills and experience through writing and speaking, and is the Founder of Elite Music Camps - offering week-long residential music courses taught by some of the finest musicians in the world. Episode Links: Bob Reeves Brass Upcoming Events and Appearances: Texas Music Educators Association Conference, Feb. 11-14, San Antonio, Texas Dillon Music, Feb. 26-28, Woodbridge, New Jersey National Trumpet Festival, March 20-22, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA Metropolitan Music, April 10-11, Seattle, WA Arkansas Trumpet Day, April 18th, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR Podcast Credits: “A Room with a View“ - composed and performed by Podcast Host - Cover Photo Credit - Johnny Thirkell Blog Photo Credits - Audio Engineer - /episode/index/show/bobreevesbrass/id/39806095

Holiday Special! John Snell and Friends, The Other Side of the Bell Episode 148 12/23/2025

Holiday Special! John Snell and Friends, The Other Side of the Bell Episode 148 This episode of The Other Side of the Bell is brought to you by . Makers of the finest handcrafted , & mouthpieces since 1968. Visit to find your next mouthpiece and trumpet accessory! This episode also appears as a video episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: "" Find the expanded show notes, transcript and more photos here: John gets some good friends together to toast the end of one year, and the start of the next: it's our 2025 Holiday Special - perhaps the first annual? It was a lot of fun, so we might just start a new trend! Eric Baker, Mike Zonshine, Kenny Rampton, Liesl Whitaker and the voice of Vinnie Ciesielski are here to share some highlights of the year, musical and otherwise, and things to look forward to in the new year. Join us for a rousing conversation on such diverse topics as: Eric sharing his trick for playing a great horse neiiighhh on the trumpet, perhaps the bane of trumpet players' existence over the holidays. Mike's recent outdoor concert in Los Angeles, playing arrangements by none other than Keith Snell, John's dad. Kenny's holiday menu, centered around the Big Green Egg, might be a small reflection of a mid-life crisis? Liesl sharing some holiday family traditions in the Whitaker/Rampton household. And a great update from the voice of Vinnie - he talks about his new Christmas album, the inspiring sight of hearing kindergarteners talk about Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie, and the story behind the recording itself: forced at the last minute to go from a first-class studio to recording remotely. But they pulled it off in less than 30 days, just in time for Black Friday! There's a great shout out to , some fantastic trivia, everyone's favorite holiday songs to play, and some poignant and heartful wishes for the new year. Thank you to all our viewers and listeners for a great year, it's been a pleasure to bring you more episodes of The Other Side of the Bell in 2025, and we'll keep up the production in 2026. And don't forget to check out our partner podcasts, and , including our Trombone Corner Holiday Episode, with John, co-host Noah Gladstone, and special guests Jay Friedman and Michael Dease Episode Guest Links: Bob Reeves Brass Upcoming Events and Appearances: Trumpet Festival of the Southeast, Jan. 17, 2026, Kennesaw State University, Georgia Texas Music Educators Association Conference, Feb. 11-14 2026, San Antonio, Texas Dylan Music, Feb. 26-28, Woodbridge, New Jersey Podcast Credits: “A Room with a View“ - composed and performed by Podcast Host - Audio Engineer - /episode/index/show/bobreevesbrass/id/39520535

Uptown Horns and the Litteral Truth: Paul Litteral Returns! Episode 147 12/17/2025

Uptown Horns and the Litteral Truth: Paul Litteral Returns! Episode 147 This episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring trumpeter performer and recording artist Paul Litteral, is brought to you by . This episode also appears as a video episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: "" Find the expanded show notes, transcript and more photos here: About Paul Litteral: Hollywood Paul Litteral began to build his career playing in Broadway hits such as The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, A Chorus Line and Chess. In 1978, Paul and saxophonist Arno Hecht founded the well-known group called the Uptown Horns. As their visibility increased, the band was recruited for rock and roll gigs and played many of New York’s most famous clubs. Paul and the Uptown Horns went on their first rock and roll tour with the J. Geils Band in 1981 and that led to many other opportunities including engagements with The Rolling Stones, Robert Plant, Tom Waits, Joe Cocker, James Brown, Pat Benatar, and Ray Charles. The band lists recording credits on over 150 albums including James Brown’s Grammy Award winning “Living in America” and tracks for Joe Cocker, Albert Collins, Bonnie Raitt, Robert Palmer, Lou Reed and REM. In addition to continuing to play music, he began writing and found critical success with Hoboken to Hollywood, which earned him the 2011 Ovation Award for Musical Direction. Paul was also awarded Best Musical Direction by Stage Scene LA for Louis & Keely: Live’ at the Sahara, which had a record run, playing to sold out audiences at the Geffen Playhouse. “Hollywood” Paul earned his nickname back in the 1980’s due to his prodigious knowledge of film lore. Though his extensive contributions to the LA music scene have also helped add to that fabulous moniker. Paul’s fame is within the world of Rock and Roll. On his latest album, "The Litteral Truth," he brings us a collection of songs that inspired his personal musical development. The Brecker Brothers, Edgar Winter and Steely Dan are a few of the artists we cover on the record, and revisiting these great cuts and reinterpreting them was a joyous excursion for all involved. Paul is a fun and talented man, and his records are spreading the joy of knowing him. -Bill Bodine Episode Links: Find the albums here: Bob Reeves Brass Upcoming Events and Appearances: Trumpet Festival of the Southeast, Jan. 17, 2026, Kennesaw State University, Georgia Texas Music Educators Association Conference, Feb. 11-14 2026, San Antonio, Texas Dylan Music, Feb. 26-28, Woodbridge, New Jersey Podcast Credits: “A Room with a View“ - composed and performed by Podcast Host - Cover Photo Credit - Paul Litteral Audio Engineer - /episode/index/show/bobreevesbrass/id/39435305

Michael Jackson, Earth, Wind & Fire, Quincy Jones: Stories from the Studio, with Jerry Hey. Ep. 146 12/03/2025

Michael Jackson, Earth, Wind & Fire, Quincy Jones: Stories from the Studio, with Jerry Hey. Ep. 146 This episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring legendary trumpeter and horn arranger Jerry Hey, is brought to you by . This episode also appears as a video episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: "" Find the expanded show notes, transcript and more photos here: About Jerry Hey: Jerry Hey is one of the defining trumpet voices and horn arrangers in modern popular music. Born in Dixon, Illinois, into a deeply musical family, he honed his craft with Charlie Geyer and later at Indiana University under legendary pedagogue William Adam. After an early run co-founding the jazz-fusion band Seawind in Hawaii, Hey moved to Los Angeles in the mid-1970s and quickly became a first-call session player and arranger. From there, his sound is heard on a staggering number of iconic recordings. Hey’s horn writing and trumpet playing helped shape Michael Jackson’s Off the Wall and Thriller albums, and his long association with Quincy Jones produced landmark work for Earth, Wind & Fire, George Benson, Al Jarreau, Patti Austin, Barbra Streisand, Toto, and countless others. A six-time Grammy winner, he has been recognized repeatedly for his instrumental and vocal arrangements, as well as his contributions to major film and television scores, including Flashdance, The Color Purple, the Back to the Future trilogy, Forrest Gump, and Dreamgirls. Most recently, Hey has opened his personal archives in Notes From The Past 50 Years, a 250-page collection of pop excerpts spanning his studio career. The book gathers more than 200 of his favorite licks, along with personal stories and rare photos that trace his path from early days in Los Angeles to his most iconic sessions—including a few lesser-known musical gems. Equally at home leading a horn section, crafting a string chart, or delivering a lyrical flugelhorn solo, Hey remains a benchmark for precision, style, and imagination in the studio, with an influence that continues to shape how artists, arrangers, and producers think about horn sections today. Episode Links: Podcast Credits: “A Room with a View“ - composed and performed by Podcast Host - Cover Photo Credit - Jerry Hey/Megan Noller Audio Engineer - /episode/index/show/bobreevesbrass/id/39246105

Episode #145 Imogen Whitehead 11/19/2025

Episode #145 Imogen Whitehead This episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring classical trumpeter and soloist Imogen Whitehead, is brought to you by . This episode also appears as a video episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: "" Find the expanded show notes, transcript and more photos here: About Imogen Whitehead: British trumpeter Imogen Whitehead is in demand across the UK and internationally, enjoying an increasingly diverse career as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral principal. A passionate advocate for new music, Imogen serves on the International Trumpet Guild’s ‘New Works’ committee and has premiered numerous works by composers such as Sally Beamish and Stephen Dodgson. Many of these are featured on her recently released debut solo album, Connection. As a particular champion of the flugelhorn – an instrument often overlooked in the classical sphere – Imogen is dedicated to raising its solo profile through new commissions and arrangements. Her most recent commission, Ennui by Noah Max (for flugelhorn and piano), was supported by the Vaughan Williams Foundation and premiered in June 2025. Recent and upcoming highlights include concerto performances with Britten Sinfonia of Barry Mills’ Trumpet Concerto (world premiere, July 2025) and Hummel’s Trumpet Concerto (May 2025), the latter also featuring live on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune. Imogen launched her solo album at London’s iconic St Martin-in-the-Fields (May 2025), with further recitals at Proms at St Jude’s (June 2025) and Wimbledon International Music Festival (November 2025). In addition to her position as Principal Trumpet with Britten Sinfonia, Imogen performs regularly as Guest Principal Trumpet with other leading orchestras internationally. In March 2025, she toured Germany and Belgium with Aurora Orchestra and Abel Selaocoe and next season joins the London Symphony Orchestra for a European tour. In recent years, she has performed in London’s West End and played on major film soundtracks including Maestro and Saltburn. Imogen is currently Artist-in-Residence with St Martin’s Voices and a member of the acclaimed wind and brass collective, Neoteric Ensemble. She is deeply committed to music education, community engagement, and equal opportunity, serving as an Associate and Mentor for GALSI (Gender and the Large and Shiny Instruments), an initiative promoting gender equality in brass and percussion. She is also involved in Britten Sinfonia’s pioneering outreach work, has worked with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s ‘Resound’ education and community programme, and regularly leads masterclasses at conservatoires across the UK. Based in South West London, Imogen also volunteers as a befriender through the Wimbledon Guild. An alumna of the Royal Academy of Music, Imogen studied with professors including Mark David and Gareth Small and subsequently studied privately with Norwegian soloist Tine Thing Helseth. In April 2025, Imogen was awarded Associateship of the Royal Academy of Music (ARAM). Episode Links: Podcast Credits: “A Room with a View“ - composed and performed by Podcast Host - Cover Photo Credit - Audio Engineer - /episode/index/show/bobreevesbrass/id/39078165

Episode #144 Pete Rodriguez 11/05/2025

Episode #144 Pete Rodriguez This episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring trumpeter, vocalist, composer and percussionist Pete Rodriguez, is brought to you by . This episode also appears as a video episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: "" About Pete Rodriguez: Trumpeter, vocalist, and percussionist Pete Rodríguez carries the bloodline of Nuyorican salsa as he takes his unique brand of jazz to exciting new places. Son of salsa singer Pete “El Conde” Rodriguez and godson of Fania Records bandleader Johnny Pacheco, Rodríguez cut his teeth playing with some of the greatest names in Latin music. By age 19, he was musical director of his father’s band. As a vocalist, he sang on Tito Puente's Grammy-award winning Mambo Birdland. As an instrumentalist, he's appeared with legends including Celia Cruz, Chico O'Farrill, Bebo Valdez and Eddie Palmieri, including performing on the Brian Lynch/Eddie Palmieri Project’s Grammy-winning release, Simpatico. As a bandleader, Rodriguez draws on his diverse upbringing—including living through the birth of Hip Hop in the Bronx and becoming an accomplished classical trumpeter during his adolescence in Puerto Rico—to create his own brand of jazz that defies categorization. The result is music that has been praised as “not only instrumentally ferocious, but texturally rich and at times profoundly intimate,” with compositions “rich in musical depth, tone and beauty, as well as rhythm and melody… giving his music an appeal beyond genres.” (Downbeat). His music demonstrates his aptitude for hard-driving, modern post-bop jazz, as much as melodic Latin variants and R&B-tinged grooves. Rodriguez has released a series of acclaimed albums as a leader, including Mind Trip, The Alchemist, Caminando con Papi (Destiny Records), El Conde Negro (Destiny Records), Obstacles (Sunnyside Records), and his most recent, I’m Pete Rodríguez, Vol. 1 (Sunnyside Records), named one of the Best of 2024 by the New York City Jazz Record. His forthcoming I’m Pete Rodríguez, Vol. 2 continues his exploration of identity, resilience, and innovation. “As a bandleader he’s working on a clean, complex and flexible model of modern Latin jazz … his compositions change shape and character, according to the free flow of the arrangements, among art song and swing and clave. Draped over all of it is Mr. Rodriguez’s powerful playing, soft-toned but battling.” – The New York Times Episode Links: Upcoming Events: , November 7 & 8 , November 9 & 10 Podcast Credits: “A Room with a View“ - composed and performed by Podcast Host - Cover Photo Credit - Pete Rodriguez Audio Engineer - /episode/index/show/bobreevesbrass/id/38915365

Episode #143 Dave Adewumi 10/22/2025

Episode #142 Chris LaBarbera 10/08/2025

Episode #141 Tim Larkin 09/24/2025

Episode #141 Tim Larkin This episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring trumpet performer, composer and sound designer Tim Larkin, is brought to you by . This episode also appears as a video episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: "" About Tim Larkin: Tim Larkin is a composer, trumpet player, and sound designer whose work spans decades across the gaming, jazz, and film industries. His credits include Portal, Dota 2, Team Fortress 2, and HBO’s The Rat Pack, with past live performances alongside legends like Ella Fitzgerald, Sheila E., and Huey Lewis. Tim won an Academy Award creating sound design for Best Animated Short at the 75th Academy Awards for his work on The ChubbChubbs! Setting Standards is his long-awaited debut jazz album, and was released on August 1, 2025 on all major platforms. The album is a curated collection of reimagined classics and one original composition that captures the emotional breadth, musical depth, and cinematic storytelling that have defined Larkin’s career across jazz, film, and video games. Setting Standards includes interpretations of songs by Bobby Caldwell, David Foster, Jimmy Webb, and more anchored by his own original composition, “Gumshoes.” “This album isn’t about chasing trends,” says Larkin. “It’s about honoring the songs that stuck with me and reimagining them in a way that feels honest keeping the soul intact but letting them breathe in a new space.” Setting Standards blends cinematic jazz, soulful arrangements, and live instrumentation into a cohesive listening experience that’s both nostalgic and forward thinking. With contributions from longtime collaborators including John Paris (Earth, Wind & Fire) and renowned arrangers Maurizio Metalli, Lennie Moore and Joris Hoogsteder, the album is a modern take on the classic jazz experience. Episode Links: Upcoming Events: , October 17 & 18 , November 7 & 8 , November 9 & 10 Podcast Credits: “A Room with a View“ - composed and performed by Podcast Host - Cover Photo Credit - Tim Larkin Audio Engineer - /episode/index/show/bobreevesbrass/id/38329605

Episode #140 Greg Curtis 09/10/2025

Episode #140 Greg Curtis This episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring trumpet performer and recording engineer Greg Curtis, is brought to you by . This episode also appears as a video episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: "" About Greg Curtis: Greg Curtis is equally at home behind the trumpet and behind the mixing board. A former student of Al Butcher, John Aley, Wayne Cook, Dennis Najoom, and Leonard Candelaria, Greg has performed with ensembles including the Milwaukee Civic Symphony, Racine Symphony, Kenosha Orchestra, Green Bay Opera, and later the Redlands Symphony. He has also played with a wide variety of groups ranging from the Glenn Miller Band to salsa and jazz ensembles such as Orchestra Veneno, Salsumba, and the Los Angeles Latin Jazz All Stars. In Los Angeles, Greg designed, built, and owned The Bridge Recording, a world-class film scoring stage that became a go-to destination for projects like The Simpsons, The Walking Dead, The Handmaid’s Tale, Marvel films, and studios including Disney, Warner Bros., and Universal. His work as a recording engineer and producer has led him to collaborate with Clint Eastwood, Rob Reiner, Gus Van Sant, and countless others. Holding Master’s degrees in both Trumpet Performance and Musicology from the University of North Texas, Greg continues to bridge the worlds of performance and production. Today, he records and mixes film scores, produces live events, and develops new audio technologies such as MyxStem, while remaining active as a freelance trumpeter and collaborator with groups like Long Beach Opera and The Paul Litteral Band. Episode Links: Website: Email: gregtpt at gmail.com Find Paul Litteral's album, , Outrageous 8 Records. Engineered, mixed and produced by Greg Curtis Podcast Credits: “A Room with a View“ - composed and performed by Podcast Host - Cover Photo Credit - Audio Engineer - /episode/index/show/bobreevesbrass/id/38149575

Episode #139 Getting to know John Snell! 08/27/2025

Episode #139 Getting to know John Snell! This episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring our own podcast host and trumpeter John Snell, is brought to you by . This episode also appears as a video episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: "" Who is the man behind the microphone? You've been asking for a long time, 12.5 years and 138 episodes in fact, and today's the day: it's time to put John Snell himself on the other side of the bell! John is the steadfast presence at Bob Reeves Brass, from the shop to the studio to the numerous conferences and events he attends every year. Many of you have met him in person over the years, and with our increasing number of video episodes, you have a better sense for what he's like. Yet his story has only emerged in bits and pieces over all that time and all those episodes, and warrants the spotlight just as much as any of the wonderful guests who have stopped by the podcast since 2013. And who better to interview John than the gregariously awesome Vinnie Ciesielski, who was himself a guest on The Other Side of the Bell, back in September of 2021. Vinnie and John chat about how John grew up to follow in the footsteps of his professional trumpet-playing father, Keith Snell, yet forged his own path through his education, musical styles and interests, before a sudden complete career U-turn that proved to give him another solid professional foundation, alongside his continued passion for music. And behind it all, for the past 20+ years, there's been Bob Reeves Brass. John talks about first meeting Bob and being taken under his wing, before returning with a law degree in hand to rescue the business, provide stability for Bob and his wife into retirement, and maintaining Bob's principled approach to business and customer service. Thank you to Vinnie for encouraging the idea and bringing this episode to life, and thank you to all of our wonderful listeners and viewers for your continued support. Don't forget to share this and other episodes with your friends in the trumpet world and beyond, and send us your thoughts and feedback! Email John at Episode Links: About John Snell: John Snell is co-owner of Bob Reeves Brass, where he has been a vital team member since 2001. After an extensive apprenticeship, he became the company’s lead valve alignment technician, personally working on thousands of instruments. Since 2010, John has also managed the business, guiding its growth while maintaining its reputation for uncompromising craftsmanship. An accomplished trumpet player, John has performed with ensembles including The California Brass Ensemble, The California Brass Quintet, The Northridge Brass Quintet, the San Bernardino Symphony, and as lead trumpet in the Big Band of Barristers - a busy big band made up of lawyers, judges, and law students. He hosts three popular podcasts - The Other Side of the Bell, The Trombone Corner, and The Horn Signal - interviewing top brass musicians worldwide. John regularly presents clinics on trumpet, equipment, and mindset across the U.S., Europe, Japan, and Australia. About Vinnie Ciesielski: Attending Towson University in Maryland, Vinnie Ciesielski majored in music performance on trumpet. Vinnie has years of experience playing and touring all over the world and has a wealth of studio knowledge and creativity! Since coming to Nashville in 1992, Vinnie has played on thousands of recordings with artists such as Taylor Swift, Josh Groban, Demi Lovato, Grace Potter, Jimmy Buffet, Kirk Franklin, Queen Latifah, Jill Scott, Yolanda Adams, Donnie McClurkin, Israel Houghton, Toby Keith, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, Jon Pardi, Alison Krauss, Steven Tyler, Vince Gill, Michael McDonald, Keb Mo, Zach Brown Band, Lyle Lovett, Travis Tritt, Tracy Byrd, Smokey Norful, Shirley Ceasar, Rance Allen, Donald Lawrence, The Clark Sisters, Tanya Tucker, Glenn Frey, T.D. Jakes, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bad Company, Gregg Allman, Delbert McClinton, Nuno Betencort, Marcus Scott (Tower of Power) Johnny Taylor, Bobby Blue Bland, Via Con Dios, Martina McBride, Don Was and many more. He has performed live with artists such as Brian May, Bruce Springsteen, Jason Scheff, Gladys Knight, Randy Newman, Kid Rock, Keith Richards, Jimmy Buffett, Paul Simon, Sting, Tony Bennett, Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Kenny Rogers, Shelby Lynne, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The O'Jays, Aretha Franklin, Percy Sledge, Shawn Colvin, Eddie Floyd, Booker T. and the MGs, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Bob Hope, Frankie Valli, Sheryl Crow, Adrian Belew, Bruce Hornsby, Michael McDonald, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Nettles and The Beach Boys. He has also appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Jimmy Fallon, Late Night with David Letterman, Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Kimmel, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The CBS New Years Eve Bash, The Road, SoundStage, Disney and Universal TV specials, Nashville Now, Music City Tonight, Austin City Limits, Grand Old Opry, Rosie O'Donnell, Ellen's Really Big Show, Crossroads, The Huckabee Show, The Dove Awards and The Stellar Awards. Vinnie has performed on numerous Radio, Internet, TV and Movie soundtracks and Trailers, and has also performed with the Nashville Symphony, Chattanooga Symphony, Orchestra Kentucky, Nashville and Knoxville Jazz Orchestras. Well known in the performance and recording community, Vinnie's resume includes work on right at 7000 recording sessions and counting. Vinnie has also appeared on and contributed to 50 plus Grammy-nominated and 25 plus Grammy-winning recordings in every decade since the 1990's, and dozens of Stellar and Dove Award nominated and winning recordings. /episode/index/show/bobreevesbrass/id/37965045

Episode #138 Dave Douglas 08/13/2025

Episode #138 Dave Douglas This episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring trumpet composer educator and entrepreneur Dave Douglas, is brought to you by . This episode also appears as a video episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: "" About Dave Douglas: Dave Douglas is a prolific trumpeter, composer, educator and entrepreneur from New York City, known for the stylistic breadth of his work and for keeping a diverse set of ensembles and projects active simultaneously. His most recent project is a rotating ensemble under the name Gifts, and the resulting album included guitarist Rafiq Bhatia, drummer Ian Chang and saxophonist James Brandon Lewis. The group toured and added cellist Tomeka Reid. In January 2025, Gifts Trio featuring drummer Kate Gentile and guitarist Camila Meza, played live shows in London and throughout Europe. Douglas’ unique contributions to improvised music have garnered distinguished recognition, including a Doris Duke Artist Award, a Guggenheim Fellowship, an Aaron Copland award, and two Grammy Award nominations. Douglas' career spans more than 75 unique original recordings as a leader and more than 500 published works. In August 2024, Sound Prints, the band Douglas co-leads with saxophonist Joe Lovano, performed for a week at New York’s storied Village Vanguard, unveiling an entire new set of works from both composers. The band will appear again at the Vanguard in November 2025. Other ensembles include OVERCOME, with vocalists Fay Victor and Camila Meza plus musicians Ryan Keberle, Jorge Roeder, and Rudy Royston; and If There Are Mountains, a sextet with pianist & co-leader Elan Mehler, featuring haiku and poetry from vocalist Dominique Eade. Douglas is often engaged in special projects which include big bands, tributes, and multi-trumpet ensembles, such as Dizzy Atmosphere: Dizzy Gillespie at Zero Gravity. As a composer, Douglas has received commissions from a variety of organizations including the Trisha Brown Dance Company, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, Norddeutscher Rundfunk, Essen Philharmonie, The Library of Congress, Stanford University, and Monash Art Ensemble. Douglas has held several posts as an educator and programmer. From 2002 to 2012, he served as artistic director of the Workshop in Jazz and Creative Music at the Banff Centre in Canada. He is a co-founder and president of FONT aka Festival of New Trumpet Music, which will celebrate its 22nd year in 2025. In 2024, Douglas presented a new group in honor of cofounder Roy Campbell, Jr. The sextet, called Alloy, recorded in January 2025 and will release new music in September 2025. He is currently on the faculty at Mannes School of Music and The New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music. He was Artistic Director of the Bergamo Jazz Festival for four years, ending in 2019. In 2025, Douglas will begin a two year residency with the Malmo Academy of Music in Sweden, where he will help in developing a new Masters of Music Composer-Performer. In 2005, Douglas founded Greenleaf Music, an umbrella company for his recordings, sheet music, podcast, as well as the music of other artists in the modern jazz idiom. Greenleaf Music has now produced countless albums and this year will celebrate its twentieth anniversary. His podcast, A Noise From The Deep, features engaging interviews with more than 100 creative artists. The show recently diversified with the launch of spin-off Puzzle Corner, which pairs Douglas with NPR’s Art Chung, for a fun round of jazz trivia. Greenleaf Music is a pioneering independent music platform with a strong subscription model featuring hours of exclusive content. Episode Links: Website: Greenleaf Music: Greenleaf Music on Bandcamp: Instagram: Facebook: Alloy album page: Alloy pre-order: OR Apple Music/Spotify: Alloy album trailer: Podcast Credits: “A Room with a View“ - composed and performed by Podcast Host - Cover Photo Credit - Audio Engineer - /episode/index/show/bobreevesbrass/id/37753030

Episode #137 Will Leathers 07/30/2025

Episode #137 Will Leathers This episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring rising trumpet star Will Leathers, is brought to you by . This episode also appears as a video episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: "" About Will Leathers: Will Leathers earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from The Juilliard School in 2022 and 2023 and was the first undergraduate classical trumpeter to receive the prestigious Kovner Fellowship. In 2022, while still completing his studies, Will secured the highly sought-after position of Principal Trumpet for both the Nashville Symphony Orchestra and the Santa Fe Opera, an extraordinary accomplishment for a musician at his stage of career. He continued to break barriers, being recognized by CBC Music as one of Canada’s “30 Hot Classical Musicians Under 30,” solidifying his place as one of his generation's most promising classical musicians. He has performed with world-renowned ensembles, including New York Philharmonic Brass, Cleveland Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (Guest Principal Trumpet), Toronto Symphony Orchestra (Guest Principal Trumpet), and Philadelphia Orchestra (Guest Associate Principal Trumpet). He also performs as a concerto soloist, both on piano and trumpet. Will’s artistry has also led him to collaborations with elite chamber ensembles, including The National Brass Ensemble, where he was invited to perform and record with some of the finest brass musicians from major American orchestras, American Brass Quintet, Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass, and Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival Orchestra. He has been a part of a number of recordings such as "Deified", an album by the National Brass Ensemble, and Soundtrack for the film Rustin Produced by Barack and Michelle Obama's production company Higher Ground. Will released his debut album, "Blue Sky Purple Clouds," in 2025, a collaboration with Michael Gaspari. It is now available on all major streaming services. Episode Links: Website: Instagram: Bandcamp: Buy the album: Podcast Credits: “A Room with a View“ - composed and performed by Podcast Host - Selected Artist Photographs - Sophia Szokolay Audio Engineer - /episode/index/show/bobreevesbrass/id/37545710

Episode #136 Alexandra Ridout 07/09/2025

Episode #136 Alexandra Ridout This episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring rising trumpet star Alexandra Ridout, is brought to you by . This episode also appears as a video episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: "" About Alex Ridout: UK born multi award winner Alexandra Ridout is a trumpeter, bandleader, composer and educator based in Harlem NYC. At only 26 years old, Alexandra is already one of the most talented young trumpet players on the international scene. Since winning the UK’s prestigious BBC Young Jazz Musician in 2016, she has been catapulted into a busy high-profile career, captivating audiences ever since. Her awards include the British Jazz Awards “Rising Star” 2018, Keep an Eye International Jazz Awards “Best Soloist” 2023, 2nd place at the esteemed Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet competition 2023, and most recently the Next Jazz Legacy 2025 Award through New Music USA. Alexandra is a busy performer with her own outstanding bands of various sizes in leading venues in New York, London and beyond. She has performed at many jazz festivals worldwide including Montreux, North Sea, Unity at the Lincoln Centre, London, Love Supreme and was recently an artist in residence at the Guimarães Jazz Festival. She was a showcased performer/composer in the International Festival of New Trumpet Music (FONT) with her trio in New York in 2022. The Festival is curated by world famous jazz trumpeter Dave Douglas, who she performed with in the FONT in 2024 and recorded an album with his new project 'Alloy' in 2025. Alex’s distinctive trumpet voice is sought out by numerous prominent musicians and she has toured and performed/recorded in the bands of Jochen Rueckert (Jochen Rueckert Quartet), Artemis (Renee Rosnes), Orlando Le Fleming (Romantic Funk band), Kit Downes, Dave Douglas (Alloy), Melissa Aldana, Dayna Stephens (Custom Deluxe band), Christine Jensen, Caroline Davis (Portals Band), Savannah Harris (Savannah Harris Trio), Pablo Held (‘Pablo Held Meets’ series and touring as a guest with his trio), Alex Hitchcock (Alex Hitchcock Quintet), Yazz Ahmed (Yazz Ahmed Polyhymnia) and Zoe Rahman. “Pretty much from the first note you know that you’re dealing with an original voice” – Matt Penman Episode Links: Website: Instagram: YouTube: Facebook: Podcast Credits: “A Room with a View“ - composed and performed by Podcast Host - Cover Art Photography - Alice Leggett Audio Engineer - /episode/index/show/bobreevesbrass/id/37178460

Episode #135 Liesl Whitaker 06/18/2025

Episode #135 Liesl Whitaker This episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring trailblazing lead trumpeter Liesl Whitaker, is brought to you by . This episode also appears as a video episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: "" About Liesl Whitaker: Liesl Whitaker is an American lead and commercial trumpeter based in the New York City metropolitan area. She currently plays lead trumpet in the pit orchestra of the hit Broadway musical Death Becomes Her (2024). Her other lead trumpet Broadway credits include Mr. Saturday Night - starring Billy Crystal (2022); Some Like it Hot (2023) and Suffs (2024). Off Broadway credits include Tappin’ Thru Life – starring Maurice Hines (2016). Liesl is a twenty-one year veteran of the United States Army: In 2000, she won a national audition and became the first female lead trumpet player to be selected by any premier military unit when she won the lead chair with the US Army Blues. In 2012, she repeated this feat when she won the lead chair in the US Army Jazz Ambassadors, a second premier unit - something not done by anyone (male or female), prior or since. Liesl deployed twice with the Sergeant Major of the Army and the Third Army to Afghanistan and Iraq (2002; 2004). Additionally, Liesl was the lead trumpet player for the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra in Washington, D.C. (2004 – 2022). She is a charter member of the all-woman big band The Diva Jazz Orchestra (1993 – present) based in New York City. Liesl attended college at both Appalachian State University (Boone, NC) and The University of Cincinnati—College Conservatory of Music (Cincinnati, OH). She studied trumpet with Bill Adam, Pat Harbison and Joe Phelps. In 2004 and 2005, Liesl performed with the WDR Big Band in Cologne, Germany, recording with the ensemble and Conductor/Chief Arranger Michael Abene and guest artist Joe Lovano. Additionally, she has performed on various recordings including projects by the Army Blues and Jazz Ambassadors, Sherrie Maricle and the Diva Jazz Orchestra, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, Victor Goines Big Band, Ed Palermo Big Band, various original Broadway cast recordings, as well as many others. Liesl currently resides in upstate, New York with her husband, Kenny Rampton, and her daughter, Lauren. When not performing or touring, she spends her free time honing her skills as an amateur writer. Episode Links: Blog: Liesl Whitaker on William Adam Trumpet Festival, June 19-22, Clarksville, Tennessee. Podcast Credits: “A Room with a View“ - composed and performed by Podcast Host - Cover Art - courtesy of Liesl Whitaker Audio Engineer - /episode/index/show/bobreevesbrass/id/37029420

Episode #134 Eric Baker 06/04/2025

Episode #134 Eric Baker This episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring trumpet performer, teacher and internet sensation Eric Baker, is brought to you by . This episode also appears as a video episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: "" About Eric Baker: Eric Baker grew up in Ft. Worth, TX, and began playing the trumpet at age 11. He received his B.M. in Music Education from the University of Texas at Arlington and earned his master’s degree in Trumpet Performance from Arizona State University. Mr. Baker moved to Odessa, TX in 2006 to begin his tenure as Co-Principal trumpet with the West Texas Symphony. He has also performed with the Big Spring Symphony, San Angelo Symphony, Abilene Philharmonic, the Legend Brass Quintet, the West Texas Trumpet Workshop, and the Salt River Brass Band. Eric performs regularly with the Lone Star Brass Quintet, Current Nine, The Pinstripes Jazz Quartet, and Emily & the Rhumba Kings. He performed with the touring production of the hit Broadway musical Chicago and has performed on stage with The Temptations, The Four Tops, Mannheim Steamroller, and Marie Osmond. He freelances all over West Texas and is a highly sought-after performer and private teacher. He is a founding member of the "Lone Star State" chapter of the International Trumpet Guild. He is the Director of Community Engagement for Music and Visual Arts at The University of Texas Permian Basin. He also serves as President of the West Texas Jazz Society. Eric's wife, Emily, is the director of the Voices of the Permian Basin. They have three daughters, Piper, Keller, and Harper. Podcast listeners! Enter code "podcast" at checkout for 15% off any of our Gard bags! Visit for more info. Episode Links: Website: Trumpets Mic'd Up on Trumpets Mic'd Up on William Adam Trumpet Festival, June 19-22, Clarksville, Tennessee. Sign up sheet for valve alignments: Podcast Credits: “A Room with a View“ - composed and performed by Podcast Host - Cover Art - courtesy of Eric Baker Audio Engineer - /episode/index/show/bobreevesbrass/id/36819555

Episode #133 AdamFest: Celebrating the Legacy of William Adam 05/21/2025

Episode #133 AdamFest: Celebrating the Legacy of William Adam This episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring a live panel discussion on the legacy of William Adam and AdamFest, is brought to you by . This episode also appears as a video episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: "" About the William Adam Trumpet Festival (AdamFest): The 11th Annual William Adam International Trumpet Festival will take place June 19–22, 2025, at Austin Peay State University, hosted by Dr. Rob Waugh. This year’s festival brings together a distinguished roster of William Adam’s former students—many of whom are among today’s leading trumpet artists—for four days of inspiration, performance, and pedagogy. In the spirit of Mr. Adam’s legacy, the festival offers a rich mix of masterclasses, performances, complimentary private and group lessons, and targeted seminars on topics such as jazz improvisation, orchestral playing, trumpet fundamentals, and effective teaching. Special programming is available for younger students and their educators. William Adam taught trumpet at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music from 1946 to 1988 and continued teaching privately until his passing in 2013. Widely regarded as one of the most influential trumpet pedagogues of the 20th century, his teaching emphasized sound, simplicity, and personal connection. The annual festival ensures his philosophy continues to inspire new generations of trumpet players. About Our Panelists: Bobby Burns Jr. is a longtime member of Earth, Wind & Fire and a veteran of the Los Angeles music scene. After studying with the legendary Bill Adam at Indiana University—where he overcame early challenges to earn a degree in trumpet performance—Bobby moved to L.A., balancing day jobs with gigs until establishing a full-time music career. His versatile résumé spans symphonic, studio, and touring work, with credits including The Temptations, Tony Bennett, Dr. Dre, and Broadway productions like Evita and A Chorus Line. Since joining Earth, Wind & Fire in 2004, he has performed on major stages around the world, from the White House to the Grammys. Bobby is also an active educator, passionate about mentoring the next generation of musicians. Charley Davis is a versatile trumpeter, respected educator, and innovative designer with a career spanning over three decades. A fixture in the Los Angeles studio scene, Charley has performed with legends like Frank Sinatra, Natalie Cole, Buddy Rich, and Placido Domingo, and his credits range from motion pictures and Broadway shows to big bands and Las Vegas stages. He currently teaches at Cal State Long Beach, Citrus College, and the Henry Mancini Institute, where he's known for his deep diagnostic insight and mentorship. Charley is also the founder of Charles Davis Music Products, producing a signature line of trumpets and mutes that reflect his commitment to excellence in both sound and craftsmanship. Robert Slack is a seasoned trumpeter, educator, and recording artist with a master’s degree in trumpet performance from Indiana University, where he studied under the legendary William Adam. His diverse career has included everything from orchestras and brass ensembles to touring with Buddy Rich and Paul Anka, and performing in Las Vegas showrooms with stars like Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. Now based in Los Angeles, Robert has built an extensive studio career with credits spanning film, television, and commercial work. He currently serves as trumpet professor at Azusa Pacific University, where he’s been on faculty for over 18 years. Larry Hall is one of Los Angeles’ top session trumpet players, known for his versatility across virtually every musical style. A former student of William Adam at Indiana University, Larry has built a prolific recording career with credits spanning film, television, and albums for artists including Elton John, The Jacksons, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Placido Domingo. His ability to adapt his sound to any musical context has made him a first-call player in the L.A. studio scene. Dr. Karl Sievers is a distinguished performer and educator whose career spans orchestral, jazz, and commercial music. A former student of William Adam, he holds a DMA in trumpet performance and recently retired as a Presidential Professor at the University of Oklahoma. Now in his 24th season as principal trumpet of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Karl is equally at home playing lead in jazz and Broadway settings. When he’s not performing, he enjoys fitness, motorcycles, fishing, and time with family. Gino Muñoz is a versatile musician, educator, and entrepreneur with over two decades of professional performance experience, including work with Michael Bublé and Gwen Stefani. A proud alumnus and now full-time faculty member at Citrus College, Gino has played a key role in shaping the school’s acclaimed Instrumental Music program. He is the past Academic Senate President, produces live shows for venues like SeaWorld and Legoland, and is a partner at 37 St Joseph Studios, a professional recording facility in Arcadia. Anthony “Tony” Bonsera Jr. is a dynamic trumpeter, composer, arranger, and educator whose career spans jazz, big band, rock, and fusion. He has played lead or split lead trumpet with groups like The Glenn Miller Orchestra, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, and the Bill Holman Big Band, and is a longtime faculty member at Citrus College. As a bandleader and recording artist, Tony’s projects—such as his original album The Gates of Hell and the genre-blending Los Angeles Classic Rock Orchestra—showcase his creative range. His latest work, L.A.’s Finest, is an ambitious double album featuring top musicians from across the country. A Philly native, Tony still finds time for family, friends, and the occasional cheesesteak. Podcast listeners! Enter code "podcast" at checkout for 15% off any of our Gard bags! Visit for more info. Episode Links: Bill Adam Facebook Group - Charley Davis Book - A Tribute to William Adam Print Version - PDF Version - William Adam Brass Choir Arrangements - International Trumpet Guild Conference, May 27-31, University of Utah, Salt Lake City. Sign up sheet for valve alignments: William Adam Trumpet Festival, June 19-22, Clarksville, Tennessee. Sign up sheet for valve alignments: Podcast Credits: “A Room with a View“ - composed and performed by Podcast Host - Cover Art - courtesy of John Snell Audio Engineer - /episode/index/show/bobreevesbrass/id/36643015

Episode #132 Marie Speziale 05/07/2025

Episode #132 Marie Speziale This episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring trumpet legend and women's trumpet trailblazer Marie Speziale, is brought to you by . This episode also appears as a video episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: *Note to listeners and viewers: we're rebalancing our podcast release schedule, to alternate The Other Side of the Bell with our other two podcasts: Trombone Corner and The Horn Signal. Hence the back-to-back episode of TOSOTB this week! If you haven't already, check out our other two shows for more fantastic interviews with horn-playing legends! About Marie Speziale: Acknowledged as the first woman trumpeter in a major symphony orchestra, Marie Speziale retired from the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra in 1996 after having served as Associate Principal Trumpet for thirty-two years (1964-1996). A graduate of the College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati (CCM), Ms. Speziale studied with Robert Price, Eugene Blee and Arnold Jacobs. Her tenure with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) included playing with the Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati May Festival, Cincinnati Ballet and Cincinnati Pops Orchestras. She performed under the batons of Igor Stravinsky, George Szell, Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, Eugene Ormandy, Eric Leinsdorf, Max Rudolf and so many more. In addition to solo appearances with the Cincinnati Symphony, Cincinnati Pops and Cincinnati Chamber Orchestras, she was featured on NBC’s Today Show at age 15, in an impromptu jam session with Duke Ellington shortly after joining the orchestra, and with Dave Brubeck on the Johnny Carson Tonight Show, the CSO European tour, and at the Interlochen Arts Academy. While a student at CCM, she recorded sound tracks for James Brown, whose career was launched by the historic King Records in Cincinnati. Marie served on the CCM faculty, 1964 -1973, on the faculty at Miami University of Ohio, 1973 - 1979, and returned to CCM as Adjunct Associate Professor, 1979 - 2002. She was appointed Professor of Music at Indiana University 1999, serving there until a year after her 2001 appointment as Professor of Trumpet and Brass Department Chair at the prestigious Shepherd School of Music at Rice University. In 1999, Marie was one of six Americans (and the only American woman) to be invited by the Tokyo International Music Festival to perform in its first Super World Orchestra. In addition to the National Trumpet Competitions, she has served as adjudicator for the ITG, IWBC and the prestigious Fischoff National Chamber Music competitions. In 1996, Ms. Speziale performed with the Monarch Brass on its inaugural tour. She conducted the Monarch Brass at the 1997 and 2014 conferences, and played, toured and recorded with Monarch Brass Quintet and Monarch Brass Ensemble until retiring from playing. President of IWBC, 1997 - 2001, Marie hosted the 2000 conference at CCM and served on the Board of Directors. Ms. Speziale has won many awards and honors, including Leading Women in the Arts Award from the Greater Cincinnati Coalition of Women’s Organizations, the Outstanding Woman of the Year in Music Award from the Tampa Tribune, the SAI Chapter, Province and National Leadership Awards, the Pioneer Award from the International Women's Brass Conference, the Golden Rose Award from the Women Band Directors International, the Woman of Excellence Award from the Italian Club of Tampa, the Distinguished Alumna Award from CCM and the Outstanding Alumni Award from the University of Cincinnati. In 2018, Marie was inducted into the Cincinnati Jazz Hall of Fame as part of their recognition of the Symphony Jazz Quintet, of which she was a founding member. She was presented with the prestigious Honorary Award from the International Trumpet Guild at their 2018 conference. In 2019, Ms. Speziale was one of 100 women recognized by Cincinnati Arts Wave in their Celebration of Women in the Arts: Power of Her. Marie Speziale retired as Professor Emerita from Rice University in 2013. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the American Classical Music Hall of Fame and the Emeritus Board of the IWBC. Podcast listeners! Enter code "podcast" at checkout for 15% off any of our Gard bags! Visit for more info. Episode Links: International Women's Brass Conference, May 19-24, Hartford, Connecticut. Register: Sign up sheet for valve alignments: International Trumpet Guild Conference, May 27-31, University of Utah, Salt Lake City. Sign up sheet for valve alignments: William Adam Trumpet Festival, June 19-22, Clarksville, Tennessee. Sign up sheet for valve alignments: Podcast Credits: “A Room with a View“ - composed and performed by Podcast Host - Cover Art - courtesy of Marie Speziale Audio Engineer - /episode/index/show/bobreevesbrass/id/36457715

Episode #131 Susan Slaughter 04/30/2025

Episode #131 Susan Slaughter This episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring women's trumpet trailblazer, founder of the International Women's Brass Conference, and 40-year First Trumpet of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Susan Slaughter, is brought to you by . This episode also appears as a video episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: About Susan Slaughter: Born in McCordsville, IN, Susan Slaughter started playing trumpet at the age of 10. Graduating from Indiana University with a coveted performer’s certificate, Susan auditioned for and won the Principal Trumpet position in 1967 with the Toledo, Ohio Symphony. Susan then joined the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra in l969 and four years later became the first woman ever to be named Principal Trumpet of a major symphony orchestra. In 1992, Susan founded the International Women’s Brass Conference, an organization dedicated to provide opportunities and recognition for women brass musicians. As a fund-raising effort to support the International Women’s Brass Conference, Ms. Slaughter organized and produced the very popular Holiday Brass Concerts, which are now in their second decade, and are performed each December in the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. Other cities in the United States are holding their own Holiday Brass Concerts to help support the ever-growing International Women’s Brass Conference. In 1996, Ms. Slaughter founded Monarch Brass, an all women’s brass ensemble, which has toured in the United States and Europe to critical acclaim. Susan appears regularly in area recitals and religious programs, and has been a frequent soloist with the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, as well as with several other ensembles throughout the country. Her work is represented on a number of Saint Louis Symphony releases, including the highly acclaimed recordings of Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5, Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F, Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, Barber’s Capricorn Concerto, and most recently, John Adams’ Doctor Atomic. Many of these and other recordings have been nominated for or won Grammy Awards. Susan has performed with Wynton Marsalis, Kathleen Battle, Christine Brewer, Doc Severinsen, Al Hirt in duets, amongst others. She has served on the faculty of the Grand Teton Orchestra Seminar and the National Orchestra Institute, and has been lecture/recitalist at the International Trumpet Guild, while also serving on its board of directors. Since the 1980's, Susan has performed the National Anthem and “God Bless America” on an annual basis for the St. Louis Cardinals Baseball Club and, at the invitation of the Baseball Commissioner Fay Vincent, performed the National Anthem at Game 3 of the 1991 World Series, played in Atlanta between the Braves and Twins (link). Some of the awards and recognition Susan has received over the years include nomination by Ladies Home Journal for its annual Woman of the Year award, a special Leadership Award in the Arts from the Young Women’s Christian Association, the American Federation of Musicians, Local 2-197 Owen Miller Award for loyalty, dedication and fairness in actions and deeds, and the 2007 Arts and Education Council Award for Excellence in the Arts. Susan has studied over the years with Herbert Mueller, Bernard Adelstein, Arnold Jacobs, Robert Nagel, Claude Gordon and Laurie Frink, and retired as Principal Trumpet from the Saint Louis Symphony on September 1, 2010. Podcast listeners! Enter code "podcast" at checkout for 15% off any of our Gard bags! Visit for more info. Episode Links: website International Women's Brass Conference, May 19-24, Hartford, Connecticut. Register: Sign up sheet for valve alignments: International Trumpet Guild Conference, May 27-31, University of Utah, Salt Lake City. Sign up sheet for valve alignments: William Adam Trumpet Festival, June 19-22, Clarksville, Tennessee. Sign up sheet for valve alignments: Podcast Credits: “A Room with a View“ - composed and performed by Podcast Host - Cover Art - Susan Slaughter Audio Engineer - /episode/index/show/bobreevesbrass/id/36314765

Episode #130 Ashley Hall-Tighe 04/16/2025

Episode #130 Ashley Hall-Tighe This episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring trumpet soloist, chamber musician, educator, and life coach Ashley Hall-Tighe, is brought to you by . This episode also appears as a video episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: About Ashley Hall-Tighe: Ashley Hall-Tighe is an internationally renowned trumpet soloist, chamber musician, educator, and life coach and her passion for authentic human connection drives every facet of her career. As a soloist, Ashley has been praised for her “energetic joy” (Rochester Post Bulletin) and her “warm tone, stunning technique and expressive artistry” (Cincinnati Enquirer). In 2024-2025, she performed as a soloist and chamber musician throughout Europe, Hong Kong, Australia, Canada and the United States. She has been the principal trumpet of the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra since 2008 and from August 2023 - May 2024, Ashley was a touring member of the world-renowned Canadian Brass. Ashley released her debut classical solo album with pianist Ana Maria Otamendi, , in the fall of 2024 on Rezurrection Records. This collection of transcriptions for trumpet and piano created by Nathaniel Tighe offers a vision of what might have been possible if the modern trumpet was a solo instrument at the time these works were conceived. As an educator, Ashley combines her passion for whole-person development with a methodical approach to improvement. She is on the trumpet faculty at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and is a sought-after clinician at music schools around the globe. As a credentialed life coach, Ashley is passionate about helping individuals unlock their potential, build mental resilience and align their creative lives with their values. To learn more about Ashley, visit , or follow her on Instagram to see frequent updates from her life both on the road and at her log cabin home with her husband and two amazing children. Ashley is a Yamaha Performing Artist and endorses GR mouthpieces. Podcast listeners! Enter code "podcast" at checkout for 15% off any of our Gard bags! Visit for more info. Episode Links: Latest album, Upcycle, on Maple Rise Music: International Women's Brass Conference, May 19-24, Hartford, Connecticut. Register: Sign up sheet for valve alignments: International Trumpet Guild Conference, May 27-31, University of Utah, Salt Lake City. Sign up sheet for valve alignments: William Adam Trumpet Festival, June 19-22, Clarksville, Tennessee. Sign up sheet for valve alignments: Podcast Credits: “A Room with a View“ – composed and performed by Podcast Host – Audio Engineer – /episode/index/show/bobreevesbrass/id/36128715

Episode #129 Kenny Rampton 04/02/2025

Episode #129 Kenny Rampton This episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring trumpeter, band leader and iconic plunger mute designer Kenny Rampton, is brought to you by . This episode also appears as a video episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: About Kenny Rampton: Trumpeter Kenny Rampton grew up in Las Vegas, and studied music at both the University of Nevada at Las Vegas and the Berklee College of Music. In 1989, he moved to New York, where he quickly established his reputation as a versatile musician, touring and performing with a veritable who's who in jazz. Kenny's first road gig was a world tour with The Ray Charles Orchestra. He subsequently went on the road with legendary jazz drummer Panama Francis and The Savoy Sultans, and soon thereafter, with The Jimmy McGriff Quartet. As a sideman, Kenny has also performed with jazz greats Jon Hendricks, Chico OFarrill's Afro-Cuban Jazz Big Band, Lionel Hampton, Charlie Persip and Supersound, Illinois Jacquet, Dr. John, Edy Martinez, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Reuben Wilson, Charles Earland, Tony Monaco, Clark Terry, Slide Hampton, Marcus Roberts, Christian McBride, Geoff Keezer, Richard Bona and a host of others. Kenny Rampton joined the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis as a full time member in 2010. He also leads his own groups in addition to performing with the Mingus Big Band, The Mingus Orchestra, The Mingus Dynasty, George Gruntz’ Concert Jazz Band, and The Manhattan Jazz Orchestra. Kenny is also well known as being the trumpet voice on the legendary Sesame Street. Some of his Broadway credits include "Anything Goes" (lead/solo trumpet), "Finian’s Rainbow," "The Wiz," "Chicago: The Musical," "In The Heights," "Hair," "Young Frankenstein," and "The Producers," "The Drowsy Chaperone," "Spamalot," "Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me," "The Wedding Singer," "Hot Feet" and several other shows on Broadway. Finally, in 2020 Kenny started collaborating with Hirschman Mutes to design the innovative KR Indigo plunger mute, which has been a hit ever since its release. In our conversation today, Kenny shares how he got his start growing up in Las Vegas in a family of entertainers. Studying trumpet at the time largely meant classical trumpet, but Kenny soon developed a deep love for jazz. This took him across the country to Berklee, and the rest is history. Kenny tells us what it was like getting a sudden call from Ray Charles to join his orchestra, being on-screen on Sesame Street, and working closely with Wynton Marsalis at the Lincoln Center. And, we learn the story of how he developed the famous KR Indigo plunger mute, in the midst of the pandemic, as not just a useful tool for musicians but a way to stay engaged with the community during that tough time. Kenny Rampton is brimming with inspiration and heart, and it was a pleasure to have him on the podcast today. Podcast listeners! Enter code "podcast" at checkout for 15% off any of our guard bags! Visit for more info. Episode Links: International Women's Brass Conference, May 19-24, Hartford, Connecticut. Sign up sheet for valve alignments: International Trumpet Guild Conference, May 27-31, University of Utah, Salt Lake City. Sign up sheet for valve alignments: William Adam Trumpet Festival, June 19-22, Clarksville, Tennessee. Sign up sheet for valve alignments: Podcast Credits: “A Room with a View“ – composed and performed by Podcast Host – Audio Engineer – Cover art photo credit: Blushing Cactus Photography /episode/index/show/bobreevesbrass/id/35944500

Episode #128 Lee Loughnane of Chicago 03/19/2025

Episode #128 Lee Loughnane of Chicago This episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring trumpeter, recording artist and co-founder of the bank Chicago, Lee Loughnane, is brought to you by . This episode also appears as a video episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: About Lee Loughnane: Lee Loughnane of the band Chicago joins host John Snell today to talk about discovering the trumpet and committing to a career in music, the groundbreaking idea of putting horns front and center in a rock and roll band, and stories of writing and recording some of those famous and iconic trumpet parts! Lee Loughnane was eleven when his father asked him if he wanted to play an instrument. His dad had played trumpet when he was a kid, all the way through his time in the Army Air Force, but the horn was now up in the attic. Fortunately, that meant Lee already had a great instrument: a Bach Stradivarius. Lee's dad took him to meet the band director at St. Celestine grade school in Elmwood Park, Ralph Meltzer, who said “show me your teeth.” He wanted to make sure they were straight so the mouthpiece wouldn’t tear up the inside of Lee's lip. Lee passed the visual audition and became a trumpet player that day. Lee met Walt Parazaider at Depaul University; Walt was playing in a band called The Missing Links and invited Lee to come sit in with them. Terry Kath and Danny Seraphine were also in the band. When they broke up, Walt wanted to form a horn band, which was initially going to be a Las Vegas show band, but turned out to be Chicago. Once they got signed to a record deal with Columbia Records, the group went to New York and recorded the Chicago Transit Authority album at the 42nd Street studio. Having never recorded before, it was very intimidating standing in front of a Neumann mic. These mics pick up every aspect of your playing, so there’s a learning curve until you figure out how to relax and blend with the band. The group learned more and more about the recording process through the years and as the technology developed, they developed along with it. Chicago continue to tour the world every year, including with original members Lee Loughnane, James Pankow and Robert Lamm. Lee has put together a traveling studio in order to record on the road, with much less overhead. The late great Phil Ramone advised them to, "Get a great mic and a great preamp." You can’t start with mediocre stuff and make it great later. It’s got to be the best sound right off the bat, then you can enhance the sound even more in mixing and mastering. Lee and audio engineer Tim Jessup convinced the rest of the band that the studio was going to be good enough quality to make a record with, and they recorded a version of “Dialogue”, on the bus, one instrument at a time and then mixed. Everybody was so pleased with the final product that Chicago XXXVl was recorded over 2013-14 without going into a studio. Chicago have kept very busy throughout their career, and it’s not slowing down. In fact, they're busier than any of them could have ever imagined they’d be. As Lee says, "I can’t think of anything I’d rather be doing." What a pleasure to be joined in this episode by rock icon and horn legend Lee Loughnane, someone who helped pioneer an entire genre of music and gave horns exposure to a whole new audience. Episode Links: Cover art photo credit: Blushing Cactus Photography Podcast Credits: “A Room with a View“ – composed and performed by Podcast Host – Audio Engineer – /episode/index/show/bobreevesbrass/id/35699780

Episode #127 Clay Jenkins 03/05/2025

Episode #127 Clay Jenkins This episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring trumpeter, educator and recording artist Clay Jenkins, is brought to you by . This episode also appears as a video episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: About Clay Jenkins: Clay Jenkins is a renowned jazz trumpeter and educator whose dynamic career spans decades of performance and teaching. He launched his performing journey with the Stan Kenton Orchestra before moving to Los Angeles, where he toured and recorded with the big bands of Buddy Rich and the Count Basie Orchestra. A charter member of the Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Clay has amassed over 100 recording credits, released seven solo albums, and recorded as a co-leader with many other notable names. Since joining the Eastman School of Music faculty, in Rochester, NY, in 2000, Clay has continued to perform worldwide, while mentoring the next generation of jazz musicians. Inspired by his close friendship with the late trumpet legend Eugene "Snooky" Young, he established the Snooky Young Endowed Scholarship at Eastman, and is currently writing a biography of Young's life. Clay is wonderfully warm, down-to-earth and humble. If you listened to our last episode featuring Emile Martinez, you'll know that Clay was instrumental in guiding Emile on his artistic journey, and so how appropriate it is that we can follow up on that interview with this one today. And he's a lifelong practicer. Clay is always trying to improve, and it's inspiring to hear someone at his level still talking about what they go through every day, trying to better themselves. Episode Links: "Hope Beats" - YouTube series with Clay Jenkins (trumpet), John Clayton (bass), Larry Koonse (guitar), Gene Bertoncini (guitar), Joe La Barbera (drums) Podcast Credits: “A Room with a View“ – composed and performed by Audio Engineer – Cover Art – Podcast Host – /episode/index/show/bobreevesbrass/id/35531315

Episode #126 Emile Martinez 02/08/2025

Episode #126 Emile Martinez This episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring trumpeter , is brought to you by . Visit Bob Reeves Brass at TMEA 2025 in San Antonio, Texas, Feb. 13-15! We'll have over 350 trumpet mouthpieces, mutes, cases, Shires trumpets, and valve alignments. For more information and to sign up for a valve alignment go to . About Emile: Emile Martinez, a Los Angeles native and two-time Grammy-nominated trumpeter, composer, arranger, producer, and educator, embodies a multifaceted musical journey that transcends genre boundaries. Graduating with a Master of Fine Arts from the California Institute of the Arts and recognized as a presidential scholar at Berklee College of Music, Martinez's passion for the trumpet ignited at the tender age of ten. Under the tutelage of esteemed mentors such as Oscar Brashear, Clay Jenkins, Ed Carroll, Josef Leimberg, Van Hunt, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Rasheed Ali, Sal Cracchiolo, PhD. James Ford, PhD. Derrick Finch, Lee Secard, and Wadada Leo Smith, Martinez's artistic evolution was profoundly shaped, fueling not only his musical prowess but also his commitment to mentorship and education, fostering creative pathways for future generations. While often associated with jazz, Martinez's artistic palette is expansive, drawing inspiration from an eclectic array of genres including Hip-Hop, R&B, Neo Soul, Classical, and Soul Electronica. His collaborations with luminaries such as Anderson Paak, S.I.R., Iman Omari, Shafiq Husayn, Big Sean, Rasheed Ali and Ed Sheeran underscore his versatility and musical adaptability. Having graced prestigious stages from the Lincoln Center to the Playboy Jazz Festival during his early years as a trumpeter, Martinez's performances captivate audiences with their dynamic fusion of styles and infectious energy. His recent venture into production showcases a deep reverence for cultural icons such as, J-Dilla, Quincy Jones, Shafiq Husayn, Josef Leimberg, Rasheed Ali, 9th Wonder, and Madlib. As he prepares to unveil his debut album, "Lamad," Martinez showcases his work not only as a trumpeter and improviser but as a composer, producer, and arranger. Martinez embarks on a new chapter with his ensemble, "The Education," comprising a collective of exceptionally talented young artists from across Los Angeles. Through "Lamad," Martinez invites listeners on a sonic odyssey, where each track intricately weaves a narrative that transcends musical boundaries, reflecting his unwavering commitment to artistic exploration and innovation. /episode/index/show/bobreevesbrass/id/35200690

Episode #125 Aaron Smith 01/06/2025

Episode #125 Aaron Smith This episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring trumpeter , is brought to you by . About Aaron : is an active freelance trumpet player in Los Angeles, CA. He also writes, arranges, and publishes music through his small business, (ASCAP). In addition, he serves on the Hearing Board for the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Local 47 and on the Board of Directors for the Recording Musicians Association Los Angeles (RMALA). Raised in an Army household with musician parents who played jazz and r&b, and later to receive classical conservatory training, Smith thrives on versatility, consistency, and accurate delivery of musical intent. As a trusted freelance musician in Los Angeles, he performs regularly for live orchestral events, musical theatre, films, independent recording projects, streaming, television, and video games. He has recorded on film/tv projects for celebrated composers including Alan Menken, Bear McCreary, Branford Marsalis, Germaine Franco, Heitor Pereira, Kris Bowers, Rob Simonsen, and Terence Blanchard; on sound recordings for Adrian Younge, Austin Wintory, Charles Gaines, Dr. Dre, Joachim Horsley, John Daversa, and X Ambassadors. He has performed as a sideman in bands on the Academy Awards, Dancing with the Stars, Disney’s Encore!, Ellen, the LATE LATE Show, and The Voice. He's also appeared as a sideman onscreen for films including Babylon and Joker: Folie à Deux; and tv commercials for Capital One and Microsoft. He's backed major artists including Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Common, Danny Elfman, Jennifer Holliday, Josh Groban, Kelly Clarkson, Labrinth, Lady Gaga, Sigur Rós, Steve Lacy, and more. He has also performed for contemporary/new music ensembles and series including Alarm Will Sound, the Industry’s Hopscotch Opera, Jacaranda, Southwest Chamber Music, wasteLAnd, WildUp, Green Umbrella, Monday Evening concert series, and Noon to Midnight Festival. In the L.A. theater world, Smith performs regularly at the Hollywood Pantages, Dolby, La Mirada Theaters and Pasadena Playhouse. Some notable shows from these theaters with Smith on solo trumpet include Back to the Future, Beetlejuice, Color Purple, Jelly's Last Jam, Les Misérables, Moulin Rouge, Wicked, and the Wiz. As a composer, Smith strives to curate a top-tier experience for brass players especially. The primary focus is exploring boundaries while expressing a story; both through adapted arrangements structurally sound to the composer's intent and through his own original compositions. His work has been performed internationally. He has also created original chamber music commissioned by Marissa Benedict for University of Minnesota, Jim Self for University of Southern California, also by the Interlochen Center for the Arts, and Stomvi-USA. Smith's training as a music performance major includes a Master of Fine Arts degree from California Institute of the Arts where he studied with Edward Carroll and John Fumo; and a Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music with professor James Thompson. He is also a graduate of the Interlochen Arts Academy with Stanley Friedman. /episode/index/show/bobreevesbrass/id/34730850

The Other Side Of The Bell - A Trumpet Podcast

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