From Friday until Sunday I was in Kentucky for the Great American Brass Band Festival. It was a really great experience. We stayed with Dad's college roommate who's currently a theory professor at Eastern Kentucky University and a gigging trumpet player all around Kentucky. 


At the festival, we sat in the heat, surrounded by hundreds of people, watching some of the best living trumpet players in the world. (Also, I managed to spend from 8 am until 11 pm outside, and not get a sunburn! Probably a first.)


I had the honor of having full on conversations with Jens Lindemann and Al Vizzutti. They both had really great things to say. Jens told me that it doesn't matter where life takes me after college, as long as I keep on playing my trumpet and staying happy. As long as I have my horn with me, I'm set. As Jens was driving away, he stopped the car and opened his trunk. He pulled out his most recent CD and handed it to me. I highly recommend his CD...it's really amazing. 
In conversation, Al Vizzutti told me that I was changing what used to be a "mans world". Pretty neat to get to talk to these guys. 


A couple others that I got to shake the hands of were Vince DiMartino and Doc Severinsen. Doc is considered by many to be the best trumpet player in the world. When introduced as such, he came to the microphone and stated: 
"There is no best trumpet player in the world. There's just a bunch of us trying to do the best we can. Some days it works, and some days it doesn't." 
This was probably my favorite quote from the whole day.
Vince was who the entire festival was dedicated to. He is retiring from his position as a professor. He will, of course, continue to play! 


Here are some pictures and videos from the festival!

US Army Herald Trumpets

Left to Right:

Allen Vizzutti, Rich Byrd, Me, Jens Lindemann

Me & Doc Severinsen

Vince DiMartino signing my poster

Doc Severinsen and Al Vizzutti

Jens Lindemann performing on his blue trumpet

The masters acknowledging each other. 

Left to right:

Vince DiMartino, Gabriel DiMartino, Doc Severinsen, Al Vizzutti

If you want to hear a bit of it, here is a video of Vince DiMartino, Doc Severinsen, Allen Vizzutti, and Al Hood. (Al Hood is someone you trumpet players out there should check out!)

Okay enough nerdy trumpet talk! I am currently sitting in a hotel room in Toronto. I fly out tomorrow morning! Should be arriving in Japan on Wednesday. All of the following posts will be about Japan..I can't wait.

Love, 

Brianne