Cool classical and hot jazz Nov. 14 at USM


The music critic of the Portland Press Herald recently wrote: “The playing of Trent Austin, a noted jazz trumpeter from Boston, came as a revelation. Fluent, pitch-perfect and sweet, while still managing to blend in with the ensemble.”

And that was for his performance of a concerto by Bach.

Trumpeter Trent Austin, originally from Corinna, Maine, will delight both classical and jazz audiences during his concert, “Clazz and Jassical,” which blends both styles in one evening. The performance – part of the University of Southern Maine School of Music’s Spotlight Series – gets underway at 8 p.m. Friday, November 14, 2008, in Corthell Concert Hall on the USM Gorham campus. Tickets are $15 for the general public; $10 for seniors; and $5 for students. Call 780-5555 for reservations.

The evening is sponsored by Dr. Dahlia and Arthur Handman. A reception will follow in the lobby where the audience can meet the performers.

Austin will be joined by members of the USM jazz faculty, including Chris Oberholtzer, trombone; Gary Wittner, guitar; Bronek Suchanek, bass; Les Harris Jr., drums; and a dynamic USM student, Micah Maurio, trumpet.
 
Most of the works on the program were arranged or composed by Austin. The concert begins with Austin’s arrangement of “Caprice #17” by 18th century composer, Niccolo Paganini.

“Unfortunately, for the trumpet,” says Austin, “we do not have a Beethoven or Brahms concerto, but are very lucky that we have the Haydn. So a great many of us modern trumpeters dig into the art of transcription to deepen our repertoire. This piece is no exception. This incredibly virtuosic piece (originally for violin) presents equal challenges on either instrument. This was arranged for Sergei Nakariakov, a young Russian trumpet virtuoso who people call ‘The Paganini of the Trumpet’."

Franz Joseph Haydn’s older brother, Michael, wrote the next piece, “Concerto in D, MH 104,” in 1763. “It’s the last of the real ‘clarino’ concertos for valve-less trumpet,” notes Austin. “The second movement features a beautiful opening where the trumpet actually has to play the highest note written for classical trumpet. In fact this concerto goes a full two steps higher than J.S. Bach's ‘Brandenburg Concerto 2’. Edward Tarr calls this piece ‘one of the most difficult in the entire repertory’ and it is rarely played in public. The two brief cadenzas I'll play will be improvised.”

Claude Debussy's "Girl with the Flaxen Hair" is Austin’s adaptation of one of his piano Preludes and allows his to play this composers’ lush, beautiful melodies.

Andre Jolivet's  "Concertino" is considered one of the most challenging pieces in the French repertoire of the 20th century. This piece was written for arguably the greatest classical soloist on the trumpet, Maurice Andre, and is incredibly virtuosic for both the trumpet and pianist, notes Austin. “Jolivet once termed his ‘Trumpet Concertino’ and ‘Second Trumpet Concerto’ ‘my ballets for trumpet’ -- a reference, perhaps not only to the fact that both scores have often been choreographed, but also to the lively, even physical, nature of a good deal of their music. Each is a virtuoso display piece. The Concertino dates from 1948, a succinct, neo-Classically tinged work in four sections that features, in addition to the trumpet solo, a formidable piano part. Highlights are the luxuriantly melodic slow music and the energetically rhythmic, ‘pop’ French finale.”

Following intermission the program turns to jazz.

Astor Piazzola's  "Cafe' 1930" will be the first piece Austin mixes jazz and classical. Adapted from an arrangement for trumpet and flute by Austin, it goes from the fantastic work into a "Miles-ian" groove. “Listening to this piece, and then going back and forth from improvised music to classical works, really let's the listener hear the scope of the music I love,” he says.
  
Austin also will play two free improvisations -- one with electronic effects entitled "KA-Pow!" and one on flugelhorn. He says he has focused his career towards improvised music and has picked a few classics to play with the faculty ensemble.
 
"’Stardust’ is quite possibly my favorite tune in the world,” he says. “I was a member of the Artie Shaw Orchestra from 1996-2007 and had many opportunities to play this wonderful tune. Hoagy Carmichael apparently wrote this tune for his good friend Bix Bierdebecke ... one of jazz's truly tragic lives. Joining me on this will be USM’s Dr. Chris Oberholtzer on trombone who is also a member of the Shaw Orchestra.”
 
Kenny Dorham’s "Lotus Blossum" is a tune that features one of his students, Micah Maurio, who he considers a rising star of the trumpet and a great inspiration as an instructor and musician.  
 
Thelonius Monk's "Trinkle, Tinkle" closes out the recital and is quite possibly the most demanding piece of the night. “I've actually never heard a trumpeter play this tune (originally written with the giant John Coltrane in mind),” Austin notes, “so this will be a wonderful challenge. It will also feature guitarist Gary Wittner, an incredibly original musician and an expert on Monk's music.”

Biography 

Trent Ryan Austin, trumpet

While still a student at Nokomis Regional High School (he’s a native of Corinna), Austin was selected to play at the opening of Euro-Disney; was a featured performer at the 1992 Montreux Jazz festival in Switzerland; as well as selected as the first trumpet of the Maine All-State festival. He was awarded a full music scholarship to attend the University of New Hampshire to study classical trumpet.  

Other individual awards include: being named to the 1993 Berklee Grammy High School Jazz Band, lead trumpet of the 1995 Disney All American Show Band, a featured soloist at the 1996 Harmony Ridge Brass Festival and at the 1997 Lake Placid Institute of the Arts Seminar.

Austin has performed with such artists as Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole, Joe Williams, Clark Terry, Jack Jones, Bob Brookmeyer, Maria Schneider, Peter Erskine, Arturo Sandoval, Hal Galper, Dick Oatts, Marvin Stamm, Red Holloway, Jesse Davis, Dick Johnson, Kenny Werner, and Bob Wilber. Most recently Austin was a featured trumpet soloist with the prestigious Artie Shaw Orchestra (a position he held for 11 years) and is currently highly in demand in the Boston area as a trumpet soloist.

Austin is on the faculty at USM, teaches "on call" trumpet lessons throughout the Boston area, and has a highly successful private studio in Salem, Mass. For most of the rest of his time he presents clinics, workshops, and concerts throughout the USA and abroad. Recently, Austin performed Bach's 2nd Brandenburg Concerto with the USM School of music for school's 50th anniversary.  

Austin's first solo CD entitled “Trumpet 101” is available through his website www.trentaustin.com or at CDBaby. His newest release, “Two-Toned,” features intimate duo collaborations with some of his favorite musicians, including the piano great, Benny Green.