This episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring trumpet performer, band leader and recording artist James Davison, is brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass.
This episode also appears as a video episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here:
"James Davison Trumpet Interview"
And, find the expanded show notes, transcript and more photos here
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James Davison had a misconception that trumpeters should only have one mouthpiece, that any professional should be able to do everything with only one, and if you used more you were "cheating."
It was Chris Deacon in fact who finally asked him one day, in a moment of struggle, " Why don't you just try a slightly narrower mouthpiece?"
From there, a whole new world opened up.
Jim was already well on a path to building a career in music, having become enraptured by the trumpet and cornet as a child, playing Dixieland jazz with his father and learning to play by ear, and then studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Royal Academy of Music.
But sometimes, we just need a little kick, a new perspective from an outside source, to shift our understanding and mindset.
Since that crossroads, Jim has gone on to become a regular player in the British music scene, from musicals and big bands to studio sessions film soundtracks. Earlier this year, Jim released his long-awaited trumpet & bass collaboration with Misha Mullov-Abbado, "Moon Beans," a mix of original compositions and collaborative arrangements. And he features on Callum Au's ambitious new recording of original music, "Sing Seven Seas."
"If you sing down the horn and you make people smile, and there's a connection for the audience with your playing, then I think that's the only thing that really matters." - James Davison
In fact, Callum Au is also this month's feature interview on The Trombone Corner podcast, so after you've heard Jim's story, head over to the Corner and hear from Callum as well!
About James Davison:
James Davison is a freelance Trumpet and Flugelhorn player in high-demand in London's Classical and Jazz scenes.
Having graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (2014) and the Royal Academy of Music (2016), James is often found playing in Big Bands such as the BBC Big Band, Ronnie Scott's Jazz Orchestra, the Callum Au Big Band, the Kings Place Jazz Orchestra, the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, the Danish Radio Big Band, Pete Long's Echoes of Ellington, the Jakob Helling Concert Big Band and the Patchwork Jazz Orchestra.
James also works regularly in London's iconic recording studios, including Abbey Road, Angel Studios and Air Studios, for Pop, TV and Film sessions.
As well as being a side-man in bands such as the Mark Nightingale & Alan Barnes Sextet and the Misha Mullov-Abbado Group, James is also a bandleader in his own right co-leading groups with both the saxophone and clarinetist Duncan Hemstock, as well as the Grammy-nominated arranger and trombone player Callum Au in their band "Quintet-a-tete", alongside his own quartet.
James' classical and orchestral career highlights include performances with the London Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Concert Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philharmonia, the Halle, English National Opera, John Wilson's Sinfonia of London and he is also a member of the world renowned brass ensemble London Brass, which he joined in 2024.
Episode Links:
Bob Reeves Brass Events and Appearances:
- Joy Brass, September 17-24, Tokyo Japan
http://joybrass.com
email to sign up: tp@joybrass.co.jp - Virtuosity Music, October 9-10, Boston, MA
- NCMEA Conference, November 8-9, Winston-Salem, NC
- Greg Black Mouthpieces, November 10, Mount Holly, NC
Podcast Credits:
- "A Room with a View" - composed and performed by Howie Shear
- Podcast Host - John Snell
- Photo Credits - Guido Baroncelli & James Davison
- Audio Engineer - Ted Cragg
