Brass session Player (Trp)

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: A project in which i had to recorded 12 or 13 horn parts for a big band special it pushed how far i could record on a DAW as well a creating compositions and parts that dont become muddy but encapsulate a new approach to big band music .

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: 90 min cassette album with an ensemble focused on re imaging baroque methods into Modernist Jazz and Avant Garde

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: In the process of networking

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both as they both have benefits that work in different perspectives i always record via analogue into a with a go0d D/A to a DAW . For my own compositions i use multi trackers .

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

A: Clean audio , Good turn around , great communication and brass shimmers

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: the exploration of the instruments learning about their response and exploring extended techniques via composition .

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: Can we double up trumpet parts or re picth them? - Yes but it wont sound the same as having instruments playing in the correct mid range. Can you play by ear from a synth part ? - Yes i can just play them and send over the stems Do you need to transpose parts ? - Yes i can transpose by sight so you can write in concert pitch and i will transpose for you . Do you cover contemporary , commercial and other styles ? - yes i can send me a reference track and i will re create the tone and timbre . Do you score parts ? - yes at an extra cost i will send them via pdf . Do you have any mutes ? - yes i have lots for all the horns .

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

A: The Range and tone is not limited to the natural harmonics . We can play extreme ranges , also brass can sound very mellifluous and dulcet which means you can have a trumpet that sounds almost like a different instrument .

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What is your desired sound and turn around . What is your Sample Rate Do you require any specialist trumpets (C,D and Eb) Do you require scores What is your desired tone/timbre

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A: Write some synth parts of ideas and give a me reference track , let me know your sample rate . Let me know how many horns you want and we can start creating.

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: Just my brass and a lot of valve oil and grease . I could practice further more on my brass instruments also i could signal with trumpet to get help to escape.

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: 14 years i worked touring for 6 years then moved into session work and solo projects i know work in sync placements and overdubbing as well being a tutor .i also run a label and sign up new experimental jazz acts with a strong focus on ethno jazz .

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Avant garde , modernist jazz combining the straight ahead with the cosmos.

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: Anthony braxton because his mathematical approach combine with my intuitive approach would create some very special music also he has a very unique approach in modernist sense that he able switch between classical and Jazz seamlessly . He is adventurous which inspires me to create unorthodox ensembles .

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Record you initial audio cleanly at the right levels and you will make mastering so much easier.

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: Jazz

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: intuitive methods to work efficiently for a quick turn around time . The symbiosis with both playing be ear and scoring and reading charts. Playing any genre from being a trained jazz musican

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: A strong analogue aesthetic with very warm and clean horn parts which adds a special shimmer to tracks .Extreme ranges and diverse skill sets . Both vintage and modern sounds due to my collection of horns 1 person playing a horn section means a quick turn around .

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Work the parts out, choose the write tone/timbre and then overdub , send over a preview . If scores are required i write then play the parts as necessary .

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Analog / Digital Setup combing 2 mixers and various outboard gear , 2 compressors , 2 equalisers , recorders , multitrack recorders , noise reduction unit , 4 different mics condensers and dynamic mics .

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: Benny Moten ,Charles Mingus , Anthony Braxton , Mahler , Woody Shaw , Michael Nyman , Wayne Shorter

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: Horn Sections and Trumpet Overdubs . These include 3 piece to larger horn sections , Trumpet overdubs on different trumpets C,D and Eb trumpet .