The Brass Junkies 104: Joe Lovinsky

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I think my good friend Joe Lovinsky has had the most fascinating life of any guest we’ve interviewed for The Brass Junkies. And that’s really saying something!

He has been homeless, a sniper in the Marines, a member of the Pershing’s Own Army Band, a cage fighter… It sounds like I’m making this up but it’s all true! Seriously, you need to listen to this one.

You can check out the complete show notes including all links mentioned during TBJ104 over at Pedal Note Media.

Jens Lindemann and The United States Army Band, Pershing's Own: Monday YouTube Fix

I'll never forget meeting Jens Lindemann.  Boston Brass had a few hour layover at LAX the summer of 2001 and Jens and his wife, Jennifer Snow, came to meet us at the LAX Marriott for a quick meal.  All seven of us basically laughed uncontrollably for two hours before we got back on the plane.  Instant friendships were born. Jens had recently retired from the Canadian Brass and taken as the trumpet professor at UCLA, a position he still holds today.  We traded road war stories and vowed to work together as soon as possible.  As chance would have it, both of our trumpet players' wives gave birth to kids within the next two years and Jens filled in each time.

I have also been fortunate to work with him on some other occasions as well, the most notable being in Mexico.  He called me and asked if I wanted to play in a brass sextet with him, Jim Thompson, Fred Mills, Marty Hackleman and Julio Briseno in Texcoco, just east of Mexico City.  I thought he was playing a joke on me! It was one of the highlights of my career.

As you can tell by this clip, Jens is one of the best players in the world.  I have also learned an invaluable amount from him about being a showman.  He is a master as you can see from the beginning of this clip.  Jens is a true inspiration as an entrepreneur and artist.  He is a beast on the trumpet and sounds amazing along with The US Army Band, Pershing's Own from the National Trumpet Competition in 2012.

Enjoy!

Ryan Anthony with The US Army Band "Pershing's Own": Monday YouTube Fix

What can you say about Ryan Anthony when he has a trumpet in his hands? When I close my eyes and imagine the perfect trumpet sound, I am basically hearing Ryan's playing.  His tone is the same on long notes as it on fast flourishes.  It is the same in the low register as it is in the high register.  It is the same when he plays ff as when he plays pp.  He is a tone machine. Every single aspiring trumpet player needs to listen to as much Ryan Anthony as they can get their hands on.  Whether it's his solo playing (like this clip) or his orchestral playing, his command of the instrument is unmatched.  Oh yeah, he's also one of the greatest brass quintet players to ever live which is probably worth mentioning.

On top of that, Ryan is one of the most genuine, humble and courageous people you will ever meet.  This live performance of the Kent Kennan "Sonata for Trumpet" is just a stunning performance by both him and The US Army Band.  Great stuff!

Enjoy!