This is an original piece I wrote for solo Trumpet one morning, after reflecting on my days with professional bands; when I use to perform a solo piece entitled ’Gypsy Trumpeter’, beautifully written my former Bandmaster (and principal flautist with H.M. Coldstream Guards Band), Peter Bernard Smith.

The trumpet part has some high tessitura, and there are many fast passages; which would suit more advanced players.

There is a version for solo violin and piano published by Musikk-Huset in Norway, and even a version for Vibraphone & Keyboard!

The piece also comes in arrangements for trumpet and wind band/orchestra, cornet and brass band, and vibes and wind band.

Quintessentially, the two styles I wish to capture here are the very different trumpet styles of the greatest of all trumpeters Raphael Mendez and Miles Davis!

Raphael’s big tone, huge latin vibrato and fast finger dexterity & technique would suit the ’Gypsy’ section admirably, whereas the introverted sound of Miles or even Chet Baker with harmon mute;is what is needed for the slow blusey melancholic section.

There’s not many players capable of such extremes of stylistic changes , but Arturo Sandoval, James Morrison & Wynton Marsallis do come to mind, as do the British trumpeters Crispian-Steele Perkins, Derek Wadkins & James Watson, and of course the great French trumpeter Maurice Andre and the fine Italian master Andrea Giuffredi.

The accompaniment may be played on piano, keyboard or electric piano.

I have suggested a tempo of 120/40 crotchets per minute, please feel free to adjust this either up or down, depending on your level of execution.

Have a listen to a live rendition for Xylophone & Concert Band: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCz-qRUTUS4