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Trumpet Celebrity Interviews

[ a celebration of the artistry of ALL styles of Trumpet ]





M I C   G I L L E T T E


Some background info....

Mic Gillette is an original TOWER OF POWER member playing TRUMPET and TROMBONE with them for 19 years. Mic has been playing with the SONS OF CHAMPLIN for two years, also, brief stints with Blood Sweat and Tears and Cold Blood.

He has played on over a 1000 album recordings from Quincy Jones to the Rolling Stones, and finally has finish his first solo CD.

His Trumpet is a specially designed Martin trumpet with a 6 inch bell with a huge bore (.480) and a Jettone mpc. Mic also has a unique approach to practice [akin to a visit to the barbershop] / days off.

He is a huge fan of Al Hirt, Ray Gillette, Donald Fagen, Bill Champlin, Stevie Wonder, Earl Seymore, and Bunny Berrigan.

THE INTERVIEW.....

  • Would you like to add your web address /email at this point?


    MICMETER MUSIC PAGE -- This is a link to my outdated website.

    My email address is NewvoKid

  • Was your family background musical?


    My family background is entirely musical. My father was a fairly famous trombonist, who played with many of the great big bands of the 40's and 50's, and also played on Tower of Power's Back To Oakland LP. My oldest brother was the best trombonist in school, but quit playing . My older sister (now deceased) was a topnotch bassoonist, and my younger brother (now a physician) played all reeds, including the bassoon.

  • What made you decide to play trumpet


    I decided to play the trumpet because my father was teaching it to my older brother, and he (my brother) didn't like it, so I started sneaking it out and trying what my dad was showing him when I was alone.

  • What age did you start?


  • I was 4 years old

  • Have you always been a musician?


    After 2 years of college (Cal State Univ Hayward) I went on the road with Cold Blood. 9 months later, I came back to my original band, the Tower of Power. I was in the Tower for 19+ years, except for the short stint with Cold Blood, and another short stint in Blood, Sweat and Tears (1980). When my only child (a daughter, Megan) was born in 1984, I left the road and did several jobs, always ending up as a supervisor. Today, I am a manager of a landscape outfit, working for a major builder. I have been a landscaper for about 13 years.

  • What sort of semi pro work did you do?…


    I played my first professional job 3 weeks after turning 5 years old, getting $20 for playing Taps at a Memorial Day service. Joined what would become the Tower at the age of 15 and joined the Musicians Union.

  • Orchestral work?


    None since high school.

  • Film work?…


    Horns on Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, Fritz the Cat (animated), Enter the Dragon, Black Belt Jones, Outside Providence, The Stand, maybe some I forgot...

  • TV / Jingles?…


    Lots!! Milk Advisory Board, Schlitz Beer, CBS news intros (country-wide), furniture commercials, etc.

  • Small group work?…


    I had my own 4 piece jazz group around the Portland, Oregon area for a while about 25 years ago

  • Any teaching?…


    I do clinics and guest appearances with many college, high school and intermediate school jazz groups.

  • Any other artists albums you've appeared on?…


    Over a 1000 albums. Santana, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Tower of Power, Sons of Champlin, Cold Blood, Strokelans Superband, BeeGees, Peter Frampton, Neville Brothers, Heart, Stephen Stills, Narada Michael Walden, Dionne Warwick, Melissa Manchester, Bill Wyman, America, Little Feat, Merl Saunders, Mickey Harte, Van Morrison, Huey Lewis and the News, the Meters, Brothers Johnson, Quincy Jones, Herb Alpert, Frankie Valli, Dave Mason, Lenny White, Lenny Williams, Molly Hatchett, Nicollette Larson, Rufus, Randy Meisner, lots more.

  • Solo projects?


    I haven't quite completed my first solo cd. I put out a cassette a couple of years ago of children's music called Newvo Kids.

  • New projects?….


    Working on Doc Kupka's 3rd Strokeland cd "'Cause Otis Said So". Also working on a new Sons of Champlin cd.

  • fave albums?


    Tower of Power - Urban Renewal, Sons of Champlin - Sons Live, Steely Dan - Greatest Hits, Santana Supernatural.

  • favourite movies?


    A League Of Their Own, Star Wars (all).

  • Name three foods you like


    Barbecue, Mexican, American.

  • What hobbies outside music do you enjoy?


    Softball, baseball.

  • How does taking time off from the horn affect you?


    I play usually 3 or 4 days a week. I never practice. Haven't since I was 7.

  • Three trumpet tips


    Get a mouthpiece you are comfortable playing, a horns that blows freely, and pick somebody out about 30 feet away and try to part their hair.

  • End of interview sentiment?…


    This is the most all encompassing interview I've ever done. Always encourage the kids to play. Remember if it feels like work, you're not playing. Brass Kicks Ass!!

    23 Feb 21, 2002 --- Mic Gillette



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


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

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