Trumpet player (ODESZA/The Dip) ready to enhance your song with a trumpet solo, a brass top line, some light muted trumpet, whatever...sky is the limit! Specialist in funk/r&b, jazz, electronic music, and indie rock.
I've been playing trumpet for over 20 years. I have recorded/worked with artists such as ODESZA, K Flay, SYML, The Dip, Allen Stone, Ray Dalton, Jamie Cullum. I have performed extensively across the U.S. and in over 30 countries. Recorded for major and indie films, including "Concrete Cowboy" starring Idris Elba, out on Netflix.
My main objective is to provide artists with the highest quality trumpet for their songs. I'm happy to play something you have already written, write new parts myself, or improvise a solo or fills on your song.
Rates will vary due to many factors, but I've always been able to find an agreeable price and get to work. I Love hearing everyone's demos, so please shoot those over even if you are just curious what I might hear trumpet-wise on them.
I record at my studio in Seattle. I'll deliver dry and uncompressed stems, as well as a reference mix of the trumpet in the track.
I'm looking forward to working with you!
Would love to hear from you. Click the contact button above to get in touch.
Credits
AllMusic verified credits for Brennan Carter8 Reviews
Endorse Brennan Carter
check_circleVerifiedAbsolute pleasure to work with Brennan. Beautifully recorded horn parts, tastefully arranged, and with options to spare. THANK YOU!
check_circleVerifiedBrennan was fantastic! Excellent, professional performance. Creative approach. Quick turn-around time. Willing to go above and beyond. Thank you, Brennan, for elevating my song with your talent.
check_circleVerified (Client)An absolute pleasure to work with Brennan on this project. Excellent communication of ideas and extremely easy to work with.
check_circleVerifiedBrennan totally captured the Miles-Davis-esque trumpet vibe that I was looking for! His improv skills are 10/10. Will definitely work with him again.
check_circleVerifiedEverything I wanted and more. Brennan is a true professional, easy to work with, and got the job done quickly.
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Brennan did an amazing job working with me on my song. Not only he was extremely fast, but he recorded different options, all brilliant and super well executed.
I've worked closely with Brennan for over 10 years in countless horn sections. It doesn't get better - taste, tone, chops - he's got it all. Couldn't recommend more!
I’ve hired Brennan to write and record trumpet parts on multiple occasions and I’m always so thankful I did. He has a knack for composing ideas that not only match the tone of the piece but add layers of depth, making an otherwise lackluster track feel interesting and unique. Oh yeah and his sound overall is excellent, so if you already have a part written and just need it recorded you’re in great hands as well. Can’t recommend working with Brennan enough!
Interview with Brennan Carter
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: My strongest skill is my taste. I think I am great at knowing when to play and when not to play....knowing when simplicity is key, and when not to add something just because you have the ability to.
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I worked on ODESZA's latest release, A Moment Apart. I recorded trumpet, advised on harmony/bass lines, and arranged/recorded choral pieces. It was nominated for a Grammy and was an honor to be a part of.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Bringing art into this world, and working with people that inspire me to become better.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: If it sounds good, then it is. It doesn't matter if someone says "this is the right way to do this..."
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: In my own music, typically soul and jazz. I have a lot of experience playing on top of hip hop and electronic music as well and feel at home there.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I listen to the song/demo many times, think about the form of the arrangement and where the addition of horns would supplement the song well...then I think sonically about what kind of horns will fit, perhaps draw inspiration from different recordings or artists. From there I play along and record many different layers until I come across 2-3 different parts I think are great. Usually I offer clients a few different versions so they can have the ultimate choice.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I have a home studio to record simple trumpet parts with an SM7B and a Tascam interface...I use this mostly for remote projects as it gets great results for my trumpet. I as well am a co-owner of a fully built out studio with an array of professional microphones, compressors, tape machines, etc. and will use this for more complicated projects, or if a client has a specific sound in mind (ie. running through tape).
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Blue Note records, Dap-Tone records, Nonesuch records. I'm very inspired by musicians such as Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Clifford Brown, Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders, Ornette Coleman....on and on.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Writing creative horn parts to add to songs or demos that clients are working on. Most always recording trumpet parts and sending along, but I also sometimes will score out parts if they have their own players to record.
