Often referred to as the “Charlie Parker of the trombone” due to his uncanny musical dexterity and fluency, James Louis “J.J.” Johnson dominated his instrument for more than 40 years, and was known as a potent composer and arranger. He was a perennial jazz magazine poll winner for his peerless trombone playing. (source) “Lament” is…
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Four Sight-Reading Secrets for Instrumental Musicians
by Scotty Webber • • 2 Comments
Sight-reading can be a most difficult endeavor, especially when there are thousands of distractions at a live performance such as a gorgeous individual right in the front row, the hot stage lights, the lack of space or maybe that annoying ‘bone player at your six o’clock (just kidding trombonists!). Do any of these factors sound…
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A Brief History of ‘The Original Louis Maggio System for Brass’
by Scotty Webber • • 22 Comments
Louis Maggio’s master instructions were not the product of some brilliant musical super-brain, but instead a result of the consequent struggles related to a tragic accident that changed his entire life. Maggio, an Italian native pursuing his music career in the United States since 1906, was to appear with the Saint-Paul Symphony when sudden disaster…
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Undergrads Gain Skills for a Lifetime at PLNU’s Cooper Music Center
by Scotty Webber • • 0 Comments
Tucked away almost to the cliffs in San Diego, California, Point Loma Nazarene University sits fastidiously on 90 acres, serving as home t…