Brass Mastery James D. Newcomb

Body + Mind + Spirit = Mastery. Now available is a collection of excerpts from some of the most popular episodes of the Trumpet Dynamics podcast featuring the likes of Chris Coletti, Sergei Nakariakov, Manny Laureano, and more.
It's a FREE download available right now on brassmastery.com!
The great Chris Coletti joined me for a chat on the Trumpet Dynamics podcast way back in 2021. We talked about his maturing as a musician and as an individual while under the white hot lights of the Canadian Brass.
It's interesting how our maturity as people affects our maturity as musicians. That really is the essence of what this podcast is about.
At any rate, I realized I didn't take many notes when this episode was released years ago, so this will have to do.
Enjoy it!

Body + Mind + Spirit = Mastery. Now available is a collection of excerpts from some of the most popular episodes of the Trumpet Dynamics podcast featuring the likes of Chris Coletti, Sergei Nakariakov, Manny Laureano, and more.
It's a FREE download available right now on brassmastery.com!
I had the honor of interviewing the great Sergei Nakariakov a few years back, and enjoyed it so much I wanted to play it again on the Brass Mastery™ podcast for the benefit of new listeners who may not have heard it the first time around.
It's also for the benefit of the older listeners who can learn a thing or two from one of the all-time greats.
Enjoy!
In my conversation with Sergei Nakariakov, you'll hear:-The influence of Timofei Dokshizer on Sergei's career...07:37-How Sergei's career began and quickly advanced...13:34-Sergei's process for making the impossible possible...18:47-Why Sergei isn't thinking about the audience when he performs...25:20-Some of the impressive younger players that we should know...29:44Floris OnstwedderLucienne Renaudin VaryDavid Guerrier
-Sergei's thoughts on the current repertoire available to trumpeters...31:56-Why Sergei doesn't warm up with long tones and other practice fundamentals...36:08-How Miles Davis influenced Sergei's perspectives on music...44:23TutuAmandla
-How an older Sergei is different from a younger Sergei...47:15Resources mentioned:-Videos of Timofei Dokshizer mentioned:
Glière: Konzert für Koloratursopran u. Orch. op. 82 - I. AndanteJ.S.Bach. Prelude Es Moll BWV 853 From WTK I
-Albums by Sergei Nakariakov:
Trumpet Works, Sergei's first albumCarmen Fantasies
-Jörg Widmann: ad absurdum – Concerto for Trumpet & Small Orchestra
-Floris Onstwedder (listen to Floris' interview on this podcast here)
-David Guerrier
-Mark Inouye
-Albums by Miles Davis:
Tutu by Miles DavisAmandla

Body + Mind + Spirit = Mastery. Now available is a collection of excerpts from some of the most popular episodes of the Trumpet Dynamics podcast featuring the likes of Chris Coletti, Sergei Nakariakov, Manny Laureano, and more.
It's a FREE download available right now on brassmastery.com!
brassmastery.com/bergman
When I first approached Jason Bergman about appearing on the Brass Mastery™ podcast, the first thing I asked him was, "What do you want to talk about?"
It's always best to play to the strengths of your guests when one is doing a creative endeavor such as this.
Jason replied he'd like to delve into the realm of self-care as it pertains to teaching brass instrumentalists.
As professor of trumpet at the prestigious Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, Jason has learned a thing or two on this topic (or one would assume), so I agreed to discuss this on the show, eager to hear what he has to say on the topic.
The thing we ended up talking about the most is how shame affects our self-perception as musicians, hindering our musical output and progression - to the point some even get discouraged and leave music as a serious pursuit altogether.
What is the root cause of this shame and deleterious effects it has on us?
Jason opens up on some of his own setbacks as a performer and teacher, and shares some of the innovative teaching techniques he employs at IU to confront the many barriers we put up that inhibit our progress as musicians and play to the best of our ability.
Episode highlights:
-Brief rundown of Jason's academic career...03:00
-Giving credit to impactful figures who don't seek the spotlight...05:15
-One seemingly insignificant thing we say today may make a massive impact in the future...07:45
-Jason's founding origins on trumpet and music...11:20
-The students became the mentor...17:35
-Self-awareness, and the need to care for one's self in order to best help those charged to our care...22:50
-An examination of shame and how it affects our mindset and overall wellbeing as musicians...29:00
-We get ourselves tied up in knots when we're thinking about the notes vs. the musical product...36:00
-When you're "okay with being unokay" the mistakes magically dissipate...38:40
-"A rising tide lifts all ships" i.e. when one succeeds, all succeed...41:40
-Meat therapy, and how Jason decompresses during down time...46:10
Resources mentioned:
Brene Brown videos
About the Guest:
American trumpeter Jason Bergman was appointed Associate Professor of Music in Trumpet at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in 2022. 
He has performed throughout the United States, South America, Europe, and China. In 2008, Bergman was named Associate Principal Trumpet of the Santiago Philharmonic in Chile and more recently has been Principal Trumpet of the Mobile Symphony Orchestra and Mobile Opera. He has also performed with the Utah Symphony, Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, Dallas Symphony, Dallas Opera, Fort Worth Symphony, and the Dallas Winds, including on their Grammy-nominated album featuring the music of John Williams. Additionally, Bergman has performed in concert with the Canadian Brass, Rhythm & Brass and with conductor David Robertson at Carnegie Hall as part of the Weill Music Institute. He also performed as a fellow at the Music Academy of the West. 
Bergman has given recitals and master classes at numerous institutions worldwide and has performed and presented at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, College Music Society, International Tuba and Euphonium...

As we get the Brass Mastery podcast up and running, I'll be replaying some of my personal favorites, along with some of the most listened to episodes from the Trumpet Dynamics podcast.
This episode features the great Belgian trumpeter Jeroen Berwaerts, which was originally recorded and released in early 2021.
In this episode, you'll hear what keeps Jeroen's musical fire lit, which includes many "non-musical" activities such as yoga, cold showers - and even fine whiskey!
Enjoy this rerelease, and I welcome your comments, questions or requests. Just email admin@brassmastery.com and we'll reply ASAP.
Episode highlights:
-Jeroen's founding origins on trumpet...01:53
-True music comes when you really go into the risk and find that moment where you can really move...06:46
-Variety in musical and physical regimens...09:30
-Our initial motives sometimes change when we reap the benefits of our work...11:50
-When someone is a true master of their craft, it just shows without them showing it off...14:20
-How Jeroen maintains his love of music and his instrument...16:40
-Soloist vs. playing in an ensemble...27:44
-The beauty of maintaining joy in one's music...36:06
-Plus whatever your discerning ears deem worthy of your time and interest...
About the Guest:
Belgian trumpeter Jeroen Berwaerts is a musical force to be reckoned with, whose all-embracing love of music knows no genre boundaries. Praised for his outstanding technical capabilities and sensitive musicality, his repertoire encompasses every epoch, from baroque to contemporary music and jazz. 
Placing the standard repertoire for trumpet in ingenious programmes and unusual contexts has become Jeroen Berwaerts’ calling card. One such programme places Handel’s Feuerwerksmusik and dances from Rameau’s opera Dardarus alongside chansons by Jacques Brel. The singing roles in such programmes is generally taken up by Jeroen Berwaerts himself, who – alongside his active career as a trumpeter – completed jazz vocal studies at the Royal Conservatory of Ghent 
Jeroen Berwaerts’ extraordinary commitment to contemporary music is evident in the numerous world premieres he has given, including Toshio Hosokawa’s second trumpet concerto Im Nebel and Francesco Filidei’s Carnevale. After Håkan Hardenberger he was the second trumpeter worldwide to add HK Gruber’s Busking (2007) to his repertoire.  
In 2017, Jeroen Berwaerts’ discography was complemented by the album Signals from Heaven, recorded with Salaputia Brass, with whom he is trumpeter, jazz-vocalist and ensemble director. His recording of Paul Hindemith’s trumpet sonata with Alexander Melnikov was released on Harmonia Mundi in 2015. In 2012 he recorded Shostakovich’s Concerto for Piano, Trumpet and Orchestra under Teodor Currentzis with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, the same year he recorded Toshio Hosokawa’s Voyage VII with the Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg. 
Jeroen Berwaerts studied in Karlsruhe with the celebrated trumpet virtuoso Reinhold Friedrich. Since 2008, he has been a Professor of Trumpet at the Hochschule für Musik in Hannover. Jeroen Berwaerts is Professor in Residence at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He is an official Yamaha Artist.   

We go back to the archives of the podcast, this time with Denver Dill of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
Denver suffered a major injury to his lips and managed to recover from it. Word got out, so others who suffered injuries sought out his advice. To the point that he decided to write a book about his experiences.
What you'll hear in this episode:
-How Denver initially injured himself from overplaying...03:30
-The difficult decision to go through surgery, and the long road to recovery...08:45
-Differences between muscles on the sides and the middle of the lips...11:10
-Use the lips, not the mouthpiece, to play...12:26
-How long it took to feel "normal" while playing...14:00
-Plus whatever your discerning ears deem worthy of your time and interest...

Our esteemed guest, Jim Olcott, is someone whose work I've long admired. He's the retired professor of trumpet at Miami University of Ohio, the founder of Triplo Press, and the musical director of the Twin Cities Trumpet Ensemble. His extensive background in trumpet music promised an enriching conversation.
In this episode, we touched on several fascinating topics:
The Intersection of Music and Life: Jim provided his balanced and insightful views on how music should weave into our lives.Changing Perspectives with Age: We discussed how our viewpoints and priorities evolve as we grow older.The Essence of Performance: I was curious about Jim's thoughts on the purpose behind performing - whether it's to inspire, to enrich, or something else entirely.
For those interested in diving deeper into Jim's world, our show notes at trumpetdynamics.com/olcott, which contain links to some of his recent recordings.
Jim candidly admitted that he might not be at the peak of his playing abilities compared to his younger years. However, I assured you, dear listener, that his performance remains outstanding, reflecting the nuanced reality of aging in the arts.
This episode is a beautiful blend of personal stories, professional insights, and even some music for you listening pleasure at the very end. With my wife Sana adding adding a few of her thoughts in the middle, it's the perfect way to get your mind focused on making some great music!
This is more than just a podcast episode; it's a journey through the realms of trumpet music, teaching, and the art of living a life deeply intertwined with music.
A few highlights from this episode:
Twin Cities' Musical Opportunities: The episode begins with a discussion at 05:00 about the benefits of moving to the Twin Cities, highlighting the abundant playing opportunities and the community's generous spirit in music.Passion for Playing and Teaching: At 09:50, there's a reflection on the joy of playing, teaching, and the aspiration to inspire others, as well as the importance of camaraderie among musicians.Age and Its Effects on Musicians: At 15:00, the conversation turns to how aging inevitably affects musicians differently, impacting their physical abilities.The Orchestra as an Instrument: A unique perspective is shared at 16:45, where the orchestra is described as an instrument in itself, offering a collective musical experience.Visualizing Music: At 19:45, the technique of visualizing dramatic scenes to enhance musical performance is discussed.Inspiring vs. Enriching Audiences: Ronald Romm's teachings on the profound difference between inspiring and enriching audiences are explored at 22:15.Self-Concept in Musicians: A deep dive into the complex nature of self-concept among musicians occurs at 28:40, emphasizing how it's shaped by perceptions rather than reality.Maurice Andre's Lessons on Trumpet Playing: At 34:35, lessons from Maurice Andre highlight the distinction between impressive and elegant trumpet playing.Triplo Press's Founding and Publication Process: The founding of Triplo Press and the criteria for vetting new pieces for publication are discussed at 39:30.The Book of Life: At 47:45, there's a philosophical exploration of the four essential actions to be included in the 'Book of Life.'Learning from William Vacchiano:...