Malcolm McNab is quite possibly the greatest trumpeter in the world that you've never heard of. I recall a friend of mine back in 2008-09 timeframe putting in Malcolm's CD Exquisite, and being unable to believe what I was hearing. The range, the accuracy, the musicality.

My friend said something along the lines of, "This is the guy who played the lead part on Jurassic Park."

"Oh," was my reply.

Why is it I've never heard of this guy?!

One of this life's great injustices is that the musicians on those movies we've grown up with do not get proper credit for their work. The music makes or breaks the movie. Any director or producer will tell you that.

The Hollywood scene is not one with which I have any familiarity, so I'll keep further judgment to myself. But suffice it to say I'm grateful to be able to share some of Malcolm's thoughts with y'all listening into the podcast.

We began talking about the great Raphael Mendez, including an incredible story from his childhood that very well could have contributed to him being such a kind and generous person on and off the stage.

And talking with a great master of his craft, the conversation naturally drifted into pedagogy, as well as some cool stories of Malcolm's interactions with some of the elite Hollywood directors and producers, including Steven Spielberg making a cameo appearance playing clarinet on Jaws.

Yes, it's that kind of episode.

Enjoy!

BTW, I have an extremely limited number of Malcolm's CD's available FOR FREE. Yes, no cost. Malcolm had some of his CD's with him at the conference, and he told me to just give them out to people.

So tune in to the very end of the episode to learn how you can get a copy of one of Malcolm's CD's for free (if you can pay for shipping, it's appreciated but not required.)

Episode highlights:

-The incredible story of Raphael Mendez being conscripted into Pancho Villa's army as a child...04:20

-Raphael's firing from a studio gig became the catalyst for his great solo career...08:30

-Raphael's story as told in an opera has sadly been lost to posterity...13:36

-How Malcolm continues his legacy by passing on his knowledge to others with lessons and camps...21:22

-Looking for the "sweet spot" with the tone and pitch...28:52

-If you can master the physical side of playing, it naturally has a positive effect on your mental and spiritual wellbeing...32:30

-Breaking into the Hollywood music scene and making connections with some of the great filmmakers...45:51

-The future of "Camp McNab" in wake of the pandemic's devastating effects...57:38

-Suffering in life comes full circle years later...1:05:48

-Plus whatever your discerning ears deem worthy of your time and interest...

Body + Mind + Spirit = Mastery. Now available is a collection of excerpts from some of the most popular episodes of the Trumpet Dynamics podcast featuring the likes of Chris Coletti, Sergei Nakariakov, Manny Laureano, and more.

It's a FREE download available right now on brassmastery.com!

About the Guest:

Malcolm Boyd McNab was born in Cleveland, Ohio on March 25th 1943. That summer, his family moved out to California where he was raised in the San Gabriel Valley. He began studying the trumpet at the age of nine, with his father Boyd McNab as his first teacher. Later, he studied with Pasadena trumpet teacher Walter Laursen, and performed with the Pasadena Symphony at the age of fourteen while still a student at Mark Keppel High School in Alhambra.

In 1958 at the age of 15, Malcolm began playing with the Young Musicians Foundation Debut Orchestra under conductors Dr. Miklos Rosza, Lawrence Foster, Gerhard Samuel and Henry Lewis. He soon became...

Body + Mind + Spirit = Mastery. Now available is a collection of excerpts from some of the most popular episodes of the Trumpet Dynamics podcast featuring the likes of Chris Coletti, Sergei Nakariakov, Manny Laureano, and more.

It's a FREE download available right now on brassmastery.com!

Mentioned in this episode:

CTA

Look us up on the web at brassmastery.com, and connect with us on Instagram! The handle is @brassmastery.

Body + Mind + Spirit = Mastery. Now available is a collection of excerpts from some of the most popular episodes of the Trumpet Dynamics podcast featuring the likes of Chris Coletti, Sergei Nakariakov, Manny Laureano, and more.

It's a FREE download available right now on brassmastery.com!

brassmastery.com/bergman

When I first approached Jason Bergman about appearing on the Brass Mastery™ podcast, the first thing I asked him was, "What do you want to talk about?"

It's always best to play to the strengths of your guests when one is doing a creative endeavor such as this.

Jason replied he'd like to delve into the realm of self-care as it pertains to teaching brass instrumentalists.

As professor of trumpet at the prestigious Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, Jason has learned a thing or two on this topic (or one would assume), so I agreed to discuss this on the show, eager to hear what he has to say on the topic.

The thing we ended up talking about the most is how shame affects our self-perception as musicians, hindering our musical output and progression - to the point some even get discouraged and leave music as a serious pursuit altogether.

What is the root cause of this shame and deleterious effects it has on us?

Jason opens up on some of his own setbacks as a performer and teacher, and shares some of the innovative teaching techniques he employs at IU to confront the many barriers we put up that inhibit our progress as musicians and play to the best of our ability.

Episode highlights:

-Brief rundown of Jason's academic career...03:00

-Giving credit to impactful figures who don't seek the spotlight...05:15

-One seemingly insignificant thing we say today may make a massive impact in the future...07:45

-Jason's founding origins on trumpet and music...11:20

-The students became the mentor...17:35

-Self-awareness, and the need to care for one's self in order to best help those charged to our care...22:50

-An examination of shame and how it affects our mindset and overall wellbeing as musicians...29:00

-We get ourselves tied up in knots when we're thinking about the notes vs. the musical product...36:00

-When you're "okay with being unokay" the mistakes magically dissipate...38:40

-"A rising tide lifts all ships" i.e. when one succeeds, all succeed...41:40

-Meat therapy, and how Jason decompresses during down time...46:10

Resources mentioned:

Brene Brown videos

About the Guest:

American trumpeter Jason Bergman was appointed Associate Professor of Music in Trumpet at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in 2022.

He has performed throughout the United States, South America, Europe, and China. In 2008, Bergman was named Associate Principal Trumpet of the Santiago Philharmonic in Chile and more recently has been Principal Trumpet of the Mobile Symphony Orchestra and Mobile Opera. He has also performed with the Utah Symphony, Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, Dallas Symphony, Dallas Opera, Fort Worth Symphony, and the Dallas Winds, including on their Grammy-nominated album featuring the music of John Williams. Additionally, Bergman has performed in concert with the Canadian Brass, Rhythm & Brass and with conductor David Robertson at Carnegie Hall as part of the Weill Music Institute. He also performed as a fellow at the Music Academy of the West.

Bergman has given recitals and master classes at numerous institutions worldwide and has performed and presented at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, College Music Society, International Tuba and Euphonium...