Ciao a tutti e BUON NATALE!
Ecco l'intervista a Joey, a breve la traduzione.
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Tony, Thanks so much for reaching out - I'll forward you some videos later today (they will be from iphone since I'm away from my computer.
When did you start playing trumpet and why?I began playing trumpet in 1990. Although music wasn't a career for either of my parents, there was always music in the house. My father played Baritone horn in Drum and Bugle corps in the 1960's and 70's where he developed his enjoyment for playing. There would often be records playing of Maynard Ferguson playing, as well as classical and popular music. I used to play along to many of the records when nobody was around. In the early part, I learned to play by ear not by notes.
Who were your main teachers?
I've had the blessing of learning and observing from many great artists and teachers. Since I'd learned (and heavily relied) on my ears for playing, my teacher at the Juilliard School put me on a regiment of sight reading and raised awareness of every detail. Ray Mase is truly a doctor of trumpet. He diagnosed my weaknesses and really stayed firm in improving those shortcomings. Later, in Boston, Charlie Schlueter helped bridge the gap between all the techniques I'd been immersed in with a return to trusting my youthful intuitions. Wynton played more of a godfather roll to me. We'd talk about individuality and heart. I came along with him on many J@LC gigs during those times. I'd listen and observe. Some lessons are best taught without words. It's especially important to learn to listen and deduce.
Tell us about your experience with Schlueter and Marsalis.Charlie and Wynton, thought very different players have one thing in common, their incredible musical sense. Beyond trumpet playing, they have both pushed boundaries that are not often challenged in our industry. Those to me are the building blocks of legends and trend setters. Both are firm in their beliefs and both exhibit characteristics of true mentors. I'll share a quick story about each.
In 1999 or 2000, Charlie came to play Carnegie Hall with the Boston Symphony. We'd been chatting online for quite some time prior to meeting. I really wanted to get a lesson from him despite the opinions of many of my peers in the trumpet studio (most of whom didn't share the respect for Charlie that I did). I told Charlie upfront that I'd love to meet but that I did not have the money to take a lesson from him at that time. Charlie accepted a box of fresh Krispy Kreme donuts (which were available in NYC but not Boston at that time) as payment for the lesson. It truly shocked me that a player of his stature would do such a thing for a young, wide eyed trumpet player. This meeting strengthened our friendship. Years later I would go on to study with Charlie at the New England Conservatory.
When ever I visited Wynton, there was always something amazing cooking in his kitchen. Wynton owned an incredible Juicer (for juicing vegetables and fruits) that I wanted for my own! As many times before, we decided to play chess only this time, we put together a little gamble. I would get his juicer if I won and if he won, I would have to buy him the new Sergei Nakariakov record that had recently come out. As in true Wynton fashion, he beat me in a humbling way! I was off to Tower Records to buy him the album.
Have you ever imagined becoming such a famous player?I never think of my career in those terms. I've worked very hard and taken chances to continue to play music. There are a lot of amazing trumpet players in the world. I'm blessed to have gotten attention and press for my work. The trumpet community has been especially kind to me, both through difficult times and times of great success. This is only the beginning for me! I'm a different musician than my first record, and I will have a different perspective in records to come!
What is your daily routine? What exercises you have to play everyday to feel "at home"?
I try to stay away from routines. To me, they leave me with a stagnate feeling. Everyday is a different challenge. I pay attention to how I'm feeling and attack weaknesses on that particular day. Lately, my music hasn't called for the super high notes that I'm sometimes known for. I was needed to cover some lead work a few weeks ago, so i began working high notes and flexibility into my warm up. I encourage my students to keep variety and variability in their warm ups. Knowing and keeping up on all scales if important, but more importantly is using those skills to play music! Remember that the key word is that we PLAY.
Best advices to people who are now starting with the trumpet? Most common problems you encounter when you teach?Do a lot of listening, and make time to see live music. Most people get caught up with the DO of trumpet playing. Our minds hold intuition that we frequently discredit. Being inspired by a favorite player or musician can often inspire us to figure some of the technical aspects we struggle with. Musical solutions to technical problems. When practicing, I suggest getting used to taking in more air than you think you need. This accompanied by a level of relaxation in the chest and shoulders should give the individual a canvas to grow their skills as a player.
Tell us about your two embouchures, "high gear and low gear"?I used the same placement and air-stream for both registers. One of the most important things to me is sound. You can be the best technician in the world but if you don't have a desirable sound, no one will want to listen to you. I use the equipment that makes my job the easiest to do so. For everything but extreme high notes I play a Monette B2 (similar to a Bach 1 1/4C) and for the extreme high register, I use a custom lead piece that is similar to a Shilke 13a4a, but is much shallower. I'd like to design a new lead piece soon that bridges the gap between such extremes.
Have you ever had problems with embouchure or playing in general?There are two times in my career I've struggled with this. Once at Juilliard and once more recently in my move to Las Vegas. My chop issues at Juilliard were mostly mental. It's a highly stressful and competitive atmosphere. I was second guessing myself constantly. It was only when I began trusting myself that I over came my chop issues. Anything worth doing is worth questioning. To me, blind confidence can often be ones downfall. Working through difficulty is essential in any musicians journey. When I moved to Las Vegas, I began playing a more broadway style. That mixed with the extremely dry climate made my chops feel like a void. I eventually got through it, but you surroundings can sometimes influence your physiology.
Maynard... please share some great moments of you and him. How did he pick you for his band?Up until 2003, I'd been a classical trumpet performance major at Juilliard and NEC. Prior to that, in my later High School years, I'd focused mostly on classical playing. I'd heard through Charlie Schlueter that there was an opening in the Maynard's Band. Charlie is a huge fan of Maynard's music and trumpet playing. I know "The Boss" had done much of the recruiting for his band through North Texas State so, I had my work cut out for me to prove my way. I submitted a video tape (where most submit audio only) of myself playing several favorite Maynard excerpts as well as the cornet solo "Napoli" (which I had played for my Juilliard audition). I received a call for Maynard's tour manager Ed Sargent letting me know they'd like to hire me for a tour! One of my most amazing memories of Maynard was on tour in a tiny mid-west town. Maynard have fallen and fractured his elbow. He was in a great deal of pain! We were to play a concert that night at a small high school. In the warm up room, you can imaging our concern for The Boss that night. From the bathroom, we hear him chanting. He keeps chants for about 30 minutes. The band gets the call that its time to perform. We kick off Blue Birdland and Maynard enters and wows the crowd and us all night. One highlight included him playing the loudest, centered F above double C I've ever heard in my life in the ballad "Darn that Dream". WOW!!! Maynard was incredibly strong minded an powerful. He was one of the most consistent and long lasting trumpet players in our history.
Resonance: why this title? What is your favorite song and why?Resonance refers to the infinite levels of connectedness we all share. There is something for everyone on "Resonance". Thats why the album is so very broad. My favorite song shifts often. I haven't listened through the record in a long time. The last thing I listened to was the slow excerpt from the Arutunian Trumpet Concerto. I reminds me of a sunset in a small Italian village, sipping wine as the bright orange sun sinks into hills.
Resonance take two: how do you find it on the trumpet?Finding the resonance point is a matter of ears, feel and practice. A vocalist doesn't have the option of changing equipment, but they are able to play to the strengths/ weaknesses of their particular abilities. Singers that feel a note is less "centered" or "Powerful" will rehearse those notes and adjust in rehearsal in order to gain control of various sonority. For us, centering a note and playing in tune with ourselves is only one portion of success in playing with others. For us instrumental players, lets use a C major triad for an example. A perfectly in tune C, E and G will not yield an in tune triad. Most advanced musicians understand the 3rd must be lowered slightly in order to ring. Monette seems to offer a more stable pitch center while playing with yourself, but will not fix tendencies and proper tuning within simple and complex chords. 99% of the time I'm playing with others. I must adjust instantaneously to produce ring and resonance, no matter if the bass is in or out of tune. This takes training, education and practice. There is no magical FIX or shortcut to this. It separates the men from the boys as we say. No equipment or mouthpiece can substitute for the practice and ear training needed to achieve this. An example of this is the many musicians with "perfect pitch". While able to identify a pitch out of nowhere, they often clash with others intonation wise. I express this within my masterclass curriculum. This is an advanced concept that needs true explanation one on one, depending on the musician.
Your next project: what will it be like? Influences?The next projects will include a few different releases over a short period. The main release will be band based. I'm looking to highlight the trumpet in a very cool, vocal way. All the music are new works and feature catchy, emotional and danceable tunes while not disappointing trumpet enthusiast.
Along with that will be an Urban release of a Michael Jackson cover. This will be done in true Joey Pero style and will feature the producer that did the original song with Michael Jackson himself! I can't let the secret of what song this is, but I will say its on one of his albums from the 90's.
The third will be 2 original big band based tracks that will feature 4 screaming trumpet soloists whom I'm sure you are all familiar with! That is all I can repost on now!
Some influences of the above include, Maynard Ferguson, Chuck Mangione, Wynton Marsalis, Michael Jackson, Daft Punk and Arturo Sandoval.
One of the goals of this next string of work is to capture a broader audience while satisfying the fans that have helped bring us to this point!
Technique: how can you mix such beautiful classical chops with extreme high note playing? Do you switch your mind every time or is it just a single way of playing brought to the extreme?Thank you Tony! There is a bit of a mind-shift. Much like yelling versus whispering (I've practiced both). It's a change in intention behind what I'm playing, yet the technique is remarkably similar. For me, the more relaxed you can be, the more you have control over the detail and clarity of what your communicating on the trumpet.
Jazz: natural born, self taught or a diligent student?All three. I'll reference my answer above under the "daily routine" question. Listen, watch, study and practice! Don't let anyone tell you something is impossible! Most importantly, follow your heart and not a lie!
Trumpet players you prefer and why.There isn't a trumpet player I don't prefer. Much like finding a hidden gem restaurant, I draw inspiration from all the players I hear. Of course, all the players and teachers above and that I have mentioned in this interview have played a part in my development. So much so, that I've gravitated towards their teachings and beliefs. I use tools from many players to continue my career.
Last but not least: what's your highest note? Kidding... well... not so much......HAHA! I knew this was coming! I've played a G above double C solidly once! Anything above that is just a squeak. Typically, my range is consistent up to double C# or D (on Bb horn).
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Thank you again for reaching out Tony. As an Italian American, I hope to play many shows in Italy and spend time getting to know family I've never met! Thank you for your interest and support over the years! If you keep listening, I'll keep putting out material!
Warmest regards,
Joey Pero
Alcuni video di Joey Pero
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=433JGyK8pW4http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RshYRb5iy20http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8a4H0M1Y_gghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEVxxdPfwJkhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVILI4V2fMwhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oz5PKxrNYHUMancano pochissimi giorni per raccogliere fondi per il suo nuovo disco, forza!!!!!!