Equipment – Horns

 

 

Eclipse Trumpet – various models/Monette Mouthpiece – B2S3W

Couesnon – Paris – Flugelhorn 1950’s – Monette Flg 2/Eddie Veit Custom Copy

The trumpet is, of course, an amplifier. A magnifier of the players will. It is held outstretched like a bridge between musician and audience, casting its sonic message to every ear. But beyond this function, the player needs to form a vital bond with the instrument itself – a symbiosis, a trust that the instrument will not only consistently and accurately represent the players voice through the sound it makes, but needs to allow the player to emote themselves from the conception of the musical idea to the execution of that idea. The player has to feel safe in the knowledge and confidence that the instrument will respond to every wish and desire. This is precisely the experience that I have with my Eclipse trumpet. I know that in any context, be it a small jazz combo, big band, contemporary classical or free improv. situation, I can rely on the horn to work with me and help me to make whatever sound in whatever range I am asking it to make. Crucially, however, the relationship with the trumpet maker has always been one of the reasons that I have played Eclipse horns for the entirety of my professional career – naturally Leigh is an expert in his field, but, his willingness to work on ideas, going above and beyond to ensure that I have the best possible configuration to do the job, and make the best music that I possibly can has had a huge impact on my continuing artistic development.