Kelly Deklinski, reporter
The individual members of Trumpets East have performed with major jazz artists throughout the world and represent some of the most respected universities in the Philadelphia area. The ensemble is comprised of ten trumpets, one flugelbone, and rhythm section, and includes professional musicians and faculty members from University of the Arts, Rowan University, West Chester University, and Temple University. An eager crowd gathered to hear this unique jazz orchestration who offered a diverse and exciting performance.
The ensemble, led by Bill Pusey, opened with Spring Song arranged by George Gruntz. The chart started softly with the ten trumpet players on flugelhorns. George Rabbai took several choruses on flugelhorn over which the remaining nine trumpeters began switching to the trumpet. As more and more flugelhorns were replaced by trumpet, the ensemble grew in intensity and changed in color. By the end of Rabbai's solo, the entire section had moved to the trumpet. Mike Natale then took over with a ride on the B-flat. The ensemble reached a climax following Natale's solo and then began switching back to the flugelhorn one by one, thus changing the color once again and decreasing in intensity until the end of the chart.
Spring Song was just a glimpse of what this ensemble had in store. The ensemble played thirteen charts, all of which were arranged for this unique ensemble. The selections included some original numbers as well as a few well known tunes. Each member of the ensemble was featured as a soloist at some point during the program and the performance covered a wide range of jazz styles.
A high point of this performance was the opportunity to hear the flugelbone in a jazz setting. The flugelbone is similar to a valve trombone with the tubing wrapped like a flugelhorn. Steve Tripak played two great solos on this instrument on the charts For Flying Out Proud and Tempus Fuget.
The ensemble finished their program with the Herbie Hancock tune Eye of the Hurricane arranged by Bob Mintzer. Several trumpet players took rides on this chart and there was an extensive solo by Marc Dicciani on drums. This was an exciting finished to a fine performance. Trumpets East presented a great opportunity for all in attendance to hear a truly unique orchestration of jazz big band music.
