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Trumpet Celebrity Interviews

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





A L L E N   V I Z Z U T T I


  • 1. Would you like to add your web address at this point?


    Web site in progress.

    Management at web site of ARTRA artist's management.

    More info at Yamaha Corp Of America web site

    ...and the University of Washington web site.


  • 2. Was your family background musical?


    My Dad is a self taught trumpet player and a natural musician. He never plays in public. He is now 76. Music in the house centered around trumpet practice and not much else.
    No other musicians in the family.


  • 3. What made you decide to play trumpet?


    My Dad's influence and the fact that I liked the sound and the idea of being in a band.


  • 4. At what age did you start?


    7 yrs.old.


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


    I was performing professionally at age 17 and have never had a real job. So, yes.


  • 6. Describe your early experiences of semi / pro work.


    I played in park bands first. I played taps for Viet Nam era funerals in my home town in Montana.
    Where the heck is that?... in the US Rocky Mountains.

    I performed solos while in High school, with the University of Montana band.

    After moving to Rochester NY, Eastman School of Music for university, I began to work as a dance player, in big bands, Vegas style shows, with the Ice Follies, the circus (once), Bach chamber orchestras, the Eastman Brass Quintet, then the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, with Chuck Mangione, and began branching out as a clinician and soloist in recital, with small orchestras, and at high schools and universities.

    As the jobs got better I turned down the ones I didn't like.

    The evolution continues...


  • 7. What theatre experience have you had?


    If you mean Broadway, I have only done a few weeks al long time ago in NY City and in Los Angeles. I would come in for, say, 3 weeks as a substitute for someone's vacation or between principals.

    I could never stand playing that stuff for too long. It's not an area of much interest to me.


  • 8. What Orchestral / Big Band experience have you had?


    I have been a member of the Rochester New York Philharmonic, the Rochester NY Chamber Orchestra and played isolated concerts as first trumpet on things like Mahler 5, Pacific Symphony in Orange County Ca, and Bach Brandenburg #2, B Minor Mass etc. with orchestras such as the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra.

    I have played in the brass section as an extra with the Los Angeles Phil., the Seattle Symphony and The Bremen (Germany) Philharmonie.

    I prefer to be a soloist and have always worked toward that end.

    Big bands:

    Chick Corea (13 piece),
    Woody Herman, 1 1/2 years on lead and solos.
    Chuck Mangione big band and orchestra.
    Frankie Capp (LA).
    Bill Watrous (in LA)...
    ... and Johnny Carsen's Tonight Show Band on TV, recording and on tour.


  • 9. What film experience have you had?


    I have worked in the film industry since 1978. I have participated on about 120 films including...

    "Back To The Future", ( Alan Sylvestri),
    "Star Trek", ( Jerry Goldsmith),
    "10", ( Henry Mancini),
    "1941", ( John Williams),
    "The Coal Miner's Daughter", (Leonard Rosenman),
    "Rocky 2", ( Bill Conti),
    "Wild America", and "American Outlaw" to name a few I can remember.

    I had the biggest solos on " The Bosses Wife", ( Bill Conti), "Happy Birthday To Me" (Lance Rubin) and "Jesus" (Patrick Williams).


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


    Same deal. TV and jingles since 1979 to present.

    Everything from "The Love Boat" to "Chips" to "Starsky and Hutch" to "Fantasy Island" to the Grammys, Emmys, People's Choice Awards, to 'Live' with Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra, Della Reese, Doc Severinsen, Chuck Mangione.

    I have performed as soloist on TV in Japan, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Canada with orchestras and/or with jazz groups.

    I don't recall the jingles specifically. They were forgotten as soon as I left the studio.


  • 11. What small group / ensemble experience have you had?


    Chick Corea and Allen Vizzutti Bands


  • 12. Other work experiences?


    I present many educational clinics and master classes throughout the world.
    I compose a lot of music including some commissions and am involved in some CD production, mostly for myself.

    I have written "The Allen Vizzutti Trumpet Method" (Alfred Publishing.)


  • 13. Would you list some of your recording work for others?


    Sure!...

    Woody Herman: Road Father,
    Chick Donald Walter Woodrow, Flip and Woody, 40th Anniversary at Carnegie Hall,
    Chick Corea: Tap Step, Secret Agent, Touchstone,
    Barbra Streisand : Broadway


  • 14. Would you list your past solo recordings.


    "Carnival of Venus",
    "Skyrocket",
    "Trumpet Summit" from Summit Records
    "Emerald Concerto And Other Gems",
    "Vizzutti Plays Vizzutti",
    "High Class Brass",
    "Big Band Body Check",
    "Vizzutti and Soli On Tour" all from De Haske/ Hal Leonard,
    "Baroque and Beyond" from Sony.
    "Ten Of The Best" from EMI.


  • 15. Any news on new projects?


    Many new books, and play alongs from De Haske/ Hal Leonard Publications.


  • 16. Favourite four albums?


    These are 4 of my favorite albums:

    "Hymn Of The 7th Galaxy" Chick Corea,
    "Four And More" Miles Davis,
    Mahler Symphonies with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Sir George Solti conducting.
    "Hillary Hahn Plays Bach"


  • 17. Favourite two movies?


    Impossible!..

    ...possibilities are...

    "Wizard of Oz",
    "Platoon"
    "Breakfast Club",
    "Time Machine", HG Wells
    "Night Of the Living Dead",
    "The Birds" ....too many choices, forget it!


  • 18.Favourite three foods?


    Japanese, Italian and Japanese. (not a mistake)


  • 19. Non-musical hobbies / points of interest you enjoy?


    Snow skiing, mountain bikes, time with my children and wife, white water rafting, day hiking, reading, writing stupid poems.


  • 20. Do you take days off from playing?...if so how does it affect you?


    As a young whipper snapper, rarely. I missed about 6 days between the ages of 7 and 18, No kidding.

    Currently I do take some time when I am being a "lazy,'no good for nothin', procrastinating, lout,'' between important gigs, or, if I have a big writing project going on.

    After 2 days I feel as though I have taken a week off, yet, in my "old age," I am now crafty enough to know how to get back in shape quickly and efficiently.

    All in all I try to stay in shape and the occasional day off does me good mentally as well as physically.

    Many times my international touring schedule interrupts any hope of a regular practice schedule and it is not unusual for me to practice in the middle of the night in the hotel room with a mute.


  • 21. Three Trumpet tips you wish to share with the readers.


    1) Breath deeply and in a relaxed way. Do not accept any less than a beautiful first note of an exercise or phrase when practicing.
    2) Always, always, always play musically and with the most beautiful sound you can imagine making.
    3) Practice daily. Organize your practice with a warm up, technical studies and musical studies; each discipline helping the other. Challenge yourself.
    4) Bonus: Never sleep with your trumpet between you and your wife!


  • 22. End of interview sentiment.


    If you wish to play often in public and build a career, play in public as often as you can for the experience and so that people can actually hear you.

    Be prepared through practice.

    Create playing opportunities, for no pay if you must, that is the way to be discovered or hired for bigger and better things and also to gain the experience and maturity to always do a great job when the pressure is on.

    Take a big breath and make a beautiful sound.

    Finally, if your mouthpiece is big enough to house your Volkwagen Beetle, that might be your problem.



    Good luck!!!! Allen Vizzutti


    Thank you very much indeed for sharing your thoughts with the
    ' Trumpet Web Community '.[22nd February 2002]



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



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