R I C H   S Z A B O

"The band is outrageous!" -Maynard Ferguson

"I am one of Rich's ardent admirers" - Frank Sinatra, Jr.

"...a dream come true for fans of the trumpet's altissimo register" - Jazz Trumpet Journal

"Szabo is a vibrant trumpet player" - Dr. Herb Wong

"Rich Szabo's big band is a hard charging, fully contemporary ensemble that eschews flirtation with fusion and other flavors of the month" - Cadence Magazine

"Szabo is to be commended for orchestrating a workable balance of the traditional and the contemporary. ......who worries about big bands fading away?" - Jazz Times

"For sheer aural and visceral impact, there are a few musical experiences that compare with hearing the Rich Szabo Big Band. It's a journey through soaring, innovative charts, interpreted by professionals possessing an inate swing factor." -Tom Mongelli, WDHA-FM's Jazz& More

Stan Mark during high school when he was in town

Jimmy Maxwell for 6 years who was truly a giant of a human being. He not only taught me how to play the trumpet, he taught me how to be a professional.

And I consider all the gigs I've played as teachers. I've had the privilage to sit next to some of the greatest trumpet players in the world. I have learned from all of them: Jimmy Maxwell, Bernie Glow, Burt Collins, Lew Soloff, Buddy Childers, Maynard Ferguson, John Frosk, Joe Mosello, Johnny Bello, Dave Stahl, Johnny Amoroso, Al Stewart, Joe Ferrante, Earl Gardner... The list goes on and on.

What Orchestral experience have you had?

Maurice I ain't. I did some orchestral things in college. I did play "principal" trumpet with the NJ Ballet in 1977. They hired a big band to go on the road for a summer tour of a jazz ballet composed by Don Ellis. But it was more of an in-yer-face big band gig than orchestral. And I have played with the NJ Pops.

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

In the late 70's and early 80's there was alot of session work in NYC. I played on a bunch of jingles for Dr. Pepper, Nabisco, CBS, PBS, NBC, Coca Cola, Burger King, Ford, NJ Nets Basketball, Romper Room... a lot of the sessions you had no idea what it was for. You would show up, turn in your W2, play and leave.



What small group / ensemble experience have you had?

I played in the Charlie Ventura Quintet and his Octet. It was an amazing experience to say the least! And recently did a small brass ensemble which included Rick Henly, Jon Faddis, Peter Gordon, Don Butterfield, Bob Sutman...


Other playing experiences?

National tours of No No Nanette, 1940's Radio Hour, Roar Of The Greasepaint... some subs on Broadway over the years, played in the big bands of Maynard Ferguson, Buddy Rich, Tito Puente, Ray Anthony, Billy May, Buddy Childers, Sammy Kaye, Xavier Cugat, Pat Longo, Charli Persip, Sonny Costanzo, Guy Lombardo. Backed and/or recorded with Natalie Cole, Melissa Manchester, The Four Tops, The Temptations, The Four Lads, the Four Aces, The Chordettes, Regis Philbin, Kathy Lee Gifford, Johnny Desmond, Margaret Whiting, Steve Martin, Keely Smith, Vic Damone, Frank Sinatra Sr & Jr., Tony Bennett, the Grass Roots, The Four Freshman, Rodney Dangerfield, Joan Rivers, Al Martino, Steve Allen...


Have you a solo recording available?

Best Of Both Worlds 1981

Jumpin' On the Bandstand 1982

Big Bands 80's Vol. 3 1980

Big Bands 80's Vol 4 1983

Manhattan At Dusk 1994

Breezy Summer 1997

Any funny / interesting on the road type stories?

Where to begin? When I with Maynard's band we did a puddle jumper flight from East Nowhere Michigan into Chicago. It was one of those 2 engine commuter planes. It just happened that it was a really bad thunder storm and the turbulance was worse than an E ticket ride at Disney. Maynard was about to doze off and before doing so turned to us and said "If you see Bill Chase or Glenn Miller wake me up"

Any news on new projects?

New CD with the big band to be released in the Spring of 2003.

Any funny / interesting stories about other famous trumpet players?

I was playing in a band with Jeff Parke. He just sold his prized Schilke and picked up a Bach Strad. We were rehearsing before a gig and Jeff was playing lead on this particular chart. He and the rest of the band trashed the shout chorus. He sat in his chair shaking his head. I asked him what was wrong. His response was "My other horn read better"! It took about 10 minutes for the band to stop laughing.

While on the road with Sinatra we used to play practical jokes on each other. One night between shows Richie Vitale who sat next to me filled my flugel up to the brim with water. He knew that half way through the first tune we would have to switch to flugels. I picked it up at the designated spot and proceed to get nothing but water pouring out the bell. He waited for weeks for me to retaliate and I did nothing. When he finally stopped checking his horns every night I knew I had him. Between shows I loaded up his mouthpieces with Habanero hot sauce and then hid all his water glasses. Here he was trying to play with one hand and look for his water with the other. What can I say? Payback is a bitch!

Favourite four albums?

Clark Terry Oscar Peterson Trio plus 1

Anything by MF before 1973

Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Songbook

Lee Morgan Sidewinder

Favourite two movies?

This is a rough one... depends on the mood at the moment...

White Christmas

The Five Pennies

Favourite three foods?

A big thick juicy steak

Mexican

Texas BBQ

Non-musical hobbies / points of interest you enjoy?

golf, fishing, photography, gardening


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

I take at least a day off each week. Sometimes more depending on what is going on. It really doesn't affect me. I do buzz my mouthpiece when driving doing my Maxwell mpc routines.

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

I had a real bad embouchure from day one. I was playing so far in the red on my top lip I could hardly squeek a G at the top of the staff. Stan Mark was the one who turned that around for me. Never had a problem since.

Three Trumpet tips you wish to share with the readers.

Relax

Relax

Relax


End of interview sentiment.

Just remember to stop thinking and just play. Keep in mind that it's just a trumpet. We tend to get caught up in our heads. And going in there alone without a flashlight can be very dangerous!

Many Thanks, Rich Szabo