Episode #88 - James Morrison

Episode #88 - James Morrison

Author: Bob Reeves Brass Mouthpieces February 10, 2021 Duration: 1:16:59

James Morrison is, by anybody's standard, a virtuoso in the true sense of the word. Besides the trumpet, this multi-instrumentalist also plays trombone, piano, saxophone and double bass.

At the age of six he started on piano, at seven he took up brass, at nine he formed his first band and at thirteen he was playing professionally in nightclubs. His international career developed just as quickly with a debut in the USA at the Monterey Jazz Festival at age sixteen.

Following this were performances at the world's major jazz festivals, including Montreux, North Sea, Nice and the Hollywood Bowl, playing with many of the legends of jazz - Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, Dave Brubeck, Chick Corea, George Benson, Quincy Jones, Ray Charles, B.B. King, Ray Brown and Wynton Marsalis to name a few. James also frequents the world's most famous jazz clubs – Birdland, The Blue Note and Village Vanguard in New York, the New Morning in Paris, the Tokyo Blue Note and Ronnie Scott's in London. 

James has been appointed a member of The Order of Australia, has won countless awards and has been inducted into the Australian Jazz Hall of Fame. He has received several honorary Doctorates and is an Adjunct Professor at the University of South Australia, leading his own music Academy.

Now 56, James Morrison's career has included much more than just jazz…

He has recorded with The London Symphony Orchestra, rock legends INXS and the European Brass Ensemble, performed at the Royal Albert Hall for the BBC Proms, written the opening fanfare for the Olympic Games, played for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and for US Presidents Bush and Clinton. He has played classical trumpet at the Kremlin, broken a Guinness record conducting the world's largest orchestra, was TV presenter on Top Gear Australia and in 2016 was a guest of President Obama at the White House. 

He's a pilot, rally driver, sailor, author and even an inventor…

Learn more about James Morrison at www.jamesmorrison.com.

The show notes for this episode are available at www.bobreeves.com/blog/james-morrison-trumpet-interview.

This podcast is brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass. Visit us at www.bobreeves.com


There's a whole world of sound that happens before the music reaches the audience, a space filled with the clatter of valves, the whisper of breath, and the shared stories of a unique community. The Other Side Of The Bell-A Trumpet Podcast invites you into that world, offering a backstage pass to the realities of brass life. Hosted by the team at Bob Reeves Brass Mouthpieces, this series goes far beyond simple gear talk. Each episode feels like a conversation in the practice room, blending practical trumpet tips that address the daily hurdles players face with deep-dive interviews featuring the musicians themselves. You'll hear firsthand stories about the craft, the unexpected challenges of performance, and the personal journeys that shape an artist's sound. This podcast is built on decades of specialized knowledge, translating the nuanced experiences of embouchure, articulation, and endurance into accessible insights. Whether you're a student navigating your first orchestral audition or a seasoned professional refining your approach, the discussions here are grounded in real-world application. It’s about the person behind the instrument as much as the instrument itself, creating a genuine resource for anyone passionate about the trumpet. Tune in for a blend of technical wisdom and personal narrative that only comes from a lifetime spent listening from the other side of the bell.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Other Side Of The Bell - A Trumpet Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Episode #105 - Roy Wiegand [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:03
Roy Wiegand is a versatile and renowned trumpet player in the Los Angeles area. He has toured and performed with such well-known acts as The Who, Bobby Womack, Tom Jones, Mel Torme, Harry James Orchestra, and Wayne Newto…
Episode #104 - Keith Snell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01:57
Keith Snell has pursued a multifaceted music career as a trumpet soloist, freelance musician, composer/arranger, conductor and educator. His earliest musical training and performance experiences began at the age of six w…
Episode #103 -Neal Berntsen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:08
Neal Berntsen joined the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra trumpet section in March 1997, having been appointed at the invitation of Music Director Lorin Maazel in 1996. He is a native of Tacoma, Washington. He began his mus…
Episode #102 - Christine Kamau [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:57
Christine Kamau is a Trumpeter, Composer and Performing Artist from Kenya. Her Trumpet playing has been described as 'a wide-eared approach to jazz, paying attention to various styles without losing the jazz tonality'. K…
Episode #101 - Greg Spence and Julie Baxes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:30:45
From playing lead trumpet at Carnegie Hall in New York to presenting for The International Trumpet Guild Conference, Yamaha Artist Greg Spence, has "been there and done that," on the world's biggest stages as a performer…
Episode #100 - Tony Kadleck [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:25:30
Trumpeter/composer/arranger/bandleader/educator Tony Kadleck is one of the most sought-after trumpet players on the New York City scene, and has been for some time. He moved to NYC in 1986, following his studies at the N…
Episode #99 - Sarah Belle Reid [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:12
Sarah Belle Reid is a performer-composer who plays trumpet, modular synthesizer, and an ever-growing collection of handcrafted electronic instruments. Her unique musical voice explores the intersections between contempor…
Episode #98 - David Krauss [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:04
David Krauss is the prodigious host of Speaking Soundly, Co-Founder of ANM, and Principal Trumpet of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. As a soloist, he has performed with the All-Star Orchestra on their Emmy Award-winnin…
Episode #97 - Larry Meregillano [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:59
Larry Meregillano is a Eclipse artist/clinician. He started his professional career playing in big bands in San Diego in the early 1970's. In 1976, he was hired to play in Tom Ranier's Show band at Disneyland. A year lat…
Episode #96 - Bobby Medina and Paul Baron [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:30
Body Mechanics Mastery Course Two years in the making, this is the most comprehensive trumpet course on the net! For all levels of players from beginners to seasoned pro's. Whether you're a soloist, lead player, symphoni…