Seeing live music is an integral part of the way we internalize the process of playing music.
I remember playing Studio 54 on New Year’s Eve in 1985. You get your freak on in a place like that!
In those days, the only people listed on the album were the rhythm section guys. For a year or more (after recording the flugelhorn solo on Paul McCartney’s Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey), I was the most famous unknown trumpet player in the world.
There I am with Bruckner and Bernstein . . . I was pretty freaked out.
As much as I love Thad Jones, he did everything right except leaving the band in a healthy way.
For the record, if anyone on Broadway or in LA says it’s going to be easy, you have to assume it’s going to be the hardest thing in the world!
My advice about playing opera. . . don’t drink too many liquids before you start.
You studied music, I studied the history of interesting releases for lead trumpet players.
When Tony Bennett and I (John Bunch) heard you warming up, we thought we had made the biggest mistake of our lives!
Musically, playing with Frank Sinatra might still be the highlight of my life.
