After years of playing in bands with the misery of transposing “on the fly”, I now let my roland do it for me. I just play it in C or G, etc, and it comes out in the key I set it too. I know, it’s not purist, but it works for me. I started on trumpet but never learned to read bass clef (left hand) too well, I go by the Nashville numbering system and use fake books a lot. But, I have fun with it!
One of the best trumpeters I’ve ever heard is Brian Casserly, the co-bandleader of Cornet Chop Suey, a jazz band from St Louis.
I’ve seen every performance they’ve ever done at the Medford Jazz Jubilee over the last 13 years, and he is incredible, always blows everyone away!
He often plays single-handedly, and it’s a wonder to watch.
My sister watched Maynard Ferguson play live once, and she was astounded, I wish I’d’a been able to go to the performance with her, he was an amazing trumpeter.
Ed