A D O L F O   A C O S T A

Adolfo Acosta was born and raised in Santa Barbara, California. He grew up playing with local latin jazz, big band, reggae, and rock groups. attended the University of North Texas and played first trumpet in the two o'clock, and one o'clock lab bands as well as a variety of music groups in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Recently, he toured and played lead trumpet with Maynard Ferguson and Big Bop Nouveau.

Was your family background musical?

No, I was the only musician in the family.

What made you decide to play trumpet?

Well, when the time came pick an instrument in the school music program I remember thinking there was no way I could play a saxophone with all those keys to worry about or remember slide positions on a trombone so I thought the trumpet would be the easiest to play since it only has three valves.

At what age did you start?

I was about 10 years old when I started playing the trumpet. Actually, I played this funky looking cornet for the first school year because the school had already loaned out all of the trumpets by the time they got to me. I was a little disappointed but I played it anyway. At least it only had three valves.

On leaving your education, have you always been a full time musician?

I guess so. I've been on the road since the summer of 1998.

Describe your early experiences of semi / pro work.

My very first gig was at an Episcopal church in Santa Barbara when I was 16 years old. It paid $40.00 and I thought I was rich. After I finished high school was when I started playing in different groups in my home town. I played in a rehearsal band and a dance big band so I got to do some gigs with those groups. It was great. I learned a lot from the musicians I played with. A little later I started played in a reggae band, a couple of Latin jazz groups, a couple of jazz small groups, a brass quintet, and a top 40 cover band.

Who were your teachers?

My first teacher was an uncle of mine named Leo (Lalo) Muñis. He lived in Mexico City and would stay at my family's home when he took arranging classes in Los Angeles. I was about 12 years old and only had a few lessons but they had a huge impact on me. He taught me basic harmony, and trumpet practice routines. In High school I studied with Jeff Elliott whenever he was home off the road and then I started taking lessons with Bobby Shew after I finished high school. When I was at the University of North Texas I took lessons with Jay Saunders, and studied the Jake Jacoby method with Frank Reed. Other teachers I studied briefly with are Brian Pearcy, Ken Larson, Ron Thompson, and John Earnest.

What Orchestral experience have you had?

I haven't had very much orchestral experience. I played in the Santa Barbara community college orchestra for couple of years around the late 80's.

What session (Jingles / TV) experience have you had?

I did some commercials while I lived in Texas. I have done some sessions with the Tower of Power horn section. We did some sessions for Neil Diamond, Smash Mouth, and Aerosmith just to name a few.

What small group / ensemble experience have you had?

Besides all the straight ahead small group stuff I did in school I played in a band called Rhumba Jazz which was an Afro Cuban jazz group in Santa Barbara and also play on and off with a Latin jazz group called The Estrada Brothers which is more like a Cal Tjader style of group with the Vibraphone being the lead voice.

Other playing experiences?

I did a little bit of pit orchestra work when I lived in Santa Barbara. Most of the time I was just a sub for one of the players. I used to play on cruise ships during the summer breaks when I was at North Texas. Those ships drove me nuts. I made some good friends, though. I played 1'st trumpet in the One O'clock Lab Band for three years and also played 1'st trumpet with Maynard Ferguson's band for two years. Now I play 2'nd trumpet with Tower of Power and live in Los Angeles when I'm off the road.

have you a solo recording available?

No, I don't have a solo recording at this time.

Any funny / interesting on the road type stories?

Maynard used to get a kick out of introducing me because he thought my name was interesting. The sound guy (Stu Eloph) would put a bunch of reverb on Maynard's mic when he announced my name.


Any news on new projects?

Tower of Power has a brand new album called "The Oakland Zone."

Any funny / interesting stories about other famous trumpet players?

One of the scariest moments in my life was trading 8's and 4's with Jon Faddis when I was about 18 at the Santa Barbara Jazz Festival. What do you do? I think I survived. He's a funny guy and a good teacher. I got a lesson with him years later while I was at the University of North Texas.

Favourite four albums?

Stan Getz "Serenity"
Terry Gibbs Dream Band
Conte Candoli "Live At Birdland Neuburg"
Stevie Wonder "At The Close Of A Century"
Note: This list changes weekly

Favourite two movies?

Blue Velvet
Office Space

Favourite three foods?

Everett and Jones Bar-B-Que in Oakland, Italian,
Mexican food

Non-musical hobbies / points of interest you enjoy?

Watching funny movies and listening to funny people. Laughter is one of my favorite things in life. My real hobby is trumpet, of course : )

Do you take days off from playing? (How does it affect you?)

Not if I can help it. I lose my chops if I just think about taking a day off.

Any chop problems / solutions you've personally had you can share?

Well, the only chop problems I have experienced were due to poor warm ups and poor breathing/support. Practicing good old fashioned basics usually fixes my chop problems

Three Trumpet tips you wish to share with the readers.

Go out and listen to live music
Study with the best teachers
Listen to music played with instruments other than trumpets

End of interview sentiment.

This was a fun interview. It made me think of things I never really think about.

Thank you very much indeed for sharing your thoughts with the
' Trumpet Web Community '14th May 2003.

Greg Evans' Trumpetstuff.com w/Adolfo video / audio clips
(Click Here)