Uptown Horns and the Litteral Truth: Paul Litteral Returns! Episode 147

Uptown Horns and the Litteral Truth: Paul Litteral Returns! Episode 147

Author: Bob Reeves Brass Mouthpieces December 17, 2025 Duration: 1:09:16

This episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring trumpeter performer and recording artist Paul Litteral, 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:

"Paul Litteral trumpet interview"

 

Find the expanded show notes, transcript and more photos here:

https://bobreeves.com/blog/paul-litteral-trumpet-interview-the-other-side-of-the-bell-147

 

About Paul Litteral:

Hollywood Paul Litteral began to build his career playing in Broadway hits such as The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, A Chorus Line and Chess.

In 1978, Paul and saxophonist Arno Hecht founded the well-known group called the Uptown Horns. As their visibility increased, the band was recruited for rock and roll gigs and played many of New York's most famous clubs.

Paul and the Uptown Horns went on their first rock and roll tour with the J. Geils Band in 1981 and that led to many other opportunities including engagements with The Rolling Stones, Robert Plant, Tom Waits, Joe Cocker, James Brown, Pat Benatar, and Ray Charles. The band lists recording credits on over 150 albums including James Brown's Grammy Award winning "Living in America" and tracks for Joe Cocker, Albert Collins, Bonnie Raitt, Robert Palmer, Lou Reed and REM.

In addition to continuing to play music, he began writing and found critical success with Hoboken to Hollywood, which earned him the 2011 Ovation Award for Musical Direction. Paul was also awarded Best Musical Direction by Stage Scene LA for Louis & Keely: Live' at the Sahara, which had a record run, playing to sold out audiences at the Geffen Playhouse.

"Hollywood" Paul earned his nickname back in the 1980's due to his prodigious knowledge of film lore. Though his extensive contributions to the LA music scene have also helped add to that fabulous moniker.

Paul's fame is within the world of Rock and Roll. On his latest album, "The Litteral Truth," he brings us a collection of songs that inspired his personal musical development. The Brecker Brothers, Edgar Winter and Steely Dan are a few of the artists we cover on the record, and revisiting these great cuts and reinterpreting them was a joyous excursion for all involved.

Paul is a fun and talented man, and his records are spreading the joy of knowing him.
-Bill Bodine

 

Episode Links:

 

Bob Reeves Brass Upcoming Events and Appearances:

  • Trumpet Festival of the Southeast, Jan. 17, 2026, Kennesaw State University, Georgia
  • Texas Music Educators Association Conference, Feb. 11-14 2026, San Antonio, Texas
  • Dylan Music, Feb. 26-28, Woodbridge, New Jersey

 

Podcast Credits:

  • "A Room with a View" - composed and performed by Howie Shear
  • Podcast Host - John Snell
  • Cover Photo Credit - Paul Litteral
  • Audio Engineer - Ted Cragg

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
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