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My Top Ten Jazz Trumpet Players of Today

By on May 6, 2016

This is a list of my top-ten favorite jazz trumpet players living and playing in our time. By “jazz trumpet players,” I mean trumpeters who primarily play jazz improvisation. Although my list is a little “rearguard” rather than avant-garde, 1) Wynton Marsalis. No one can touch him in terms of rhythmic drive, technique, awards, recognition and contributions. A straight-ahead approach with a focus on the roots of jazz. In my opinion he just gets better and better 2) Tom Harrell. An amazing human being and jazz musician 3) Dave Douglas. Very original voice in jazz today. Great musician. 4) Ryan Kisor. Great jazz trumpeter, sideman and band leader 5)(Okay, I am going to sneak one–or more–into the top ten list) By the way, if you haven’t heard him, MARIO ABNEY, you should check him out Google Him! 5) Jon Faddis. A traditional Dizzy disciple and, incidentally,a high-note maste,a pleasure for trumpet players to listen 6)Terence Blanchard. Master jazz trumpeter with a wide palette of jazz styles. Maybe I should have placed him higher in the list–after all he’s won 5 Grammys! He has also written a number of soundtracks. 7) Avishai Cohen. Gorgeous sound,
8) Claudio Roditi. The Brazilian-born, rotary-valve-playing trumpeter is a class act.thoughtful improvisation 9) Dominick Farinacci. From Cleveland, this trumpeter sounds fantastic! 10) Arturo Sandoval. Okay, I’m sorry for putting Arturo in tenth place–behind some punk from Cleveland. But maybe I saved one of the best for last! Here’s a fairly recent video.

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