Getzen Trumpet Artist
Rick Braun
by Mora Jameson

Yet another great musician is spotted playing Getzen. Being one of his greatest fans, I managed to catch up with West Coast-based trumpet/entertainer Rick Braun amidst numerous concert appearances and recording sessions. Rick is a very gracious and down-to-earth guy and we were able to complete a good part of the interview backstage at the Kettle Moraine Jazz festival in West Bend, Wisconsin, not to far from the Getzen plant in Elkhorn.

Mora Jameson: Rick, let's start with some things that are happening now. You've received some awards recently. Tell us about those.

Rick Braun: Well, I received a couple of awards from the Young Musician's Society. I also received the California Music Award in the Best Jazz Album category with Boney James for Shake It Up. I was also honored to receive the 2001 Smooth Jazz Awards for Song of the Year and Collaboration of the Year with Boney James as well as Brass Brass Player of the Year.

MJ: You have a pretty busy schedule booked this year with jazz festivals and other performances. Is there anything coming up that you would like to highlight?

RB: I have several West Coast shows coming up...Monterey, Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe and others.

MJ: As well as performing as a featured soloist, you've toured and performed as a sideman with some top stars. What's that been like?

RB: That was just great. My experiences touring and recording with artists and groups such as Sade, who was influential to me, Rod Stewart, REO Speedwagon, War, Rickie Lee Jones, Tina Turner, Glenn Frey, Natalie Cole, Tom Petty, Crowded House and Phoebe Snow were better than I could have imagined. It's always been a great experience and I can't say that I've ever had a bad time.

MJ: You mentioned Sade as kind of an influence in some respects and your discography is getting rather extensive, including your latest release, Kisses In The Rain. Did you have any specific inspiration for that one?

RB: I don't think that I can take any entire CD and name a specific inspiration for it. Life is an inspiration as well as the inspiration that comes from players in the studio. Of course, my daughter, Ema, and wife, Christiane, have been VERY inspirational for specific songs.

MJ: It's kind of hard, I'm sure, to look at your work and be totally objective, but are there any moments from you personal recordings that are especially gratifying to you?

RB: It's always gratifying. Let's face it, I'm grateful to be a trumpet player who's job is to record my own music. I get to go out and play concerts... I mean the whole experience, everything I get to do... I can't really pick out a bright spot. It's all gratifying. I can't say "here's a bright spot" in an otherwise mechanical situation. It's ALL gratifying.

MJ: Has your playing career taken you in the direction that you expected?

RB: To be honest, I didn't really know what to expect.

MJ: How about your beginnings in music?

RB: Well, I was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania and actually wanted to play drums, but wasn't given that as a choice. I've always loved music and it's always come fairly easily to me. At a young age I liked playing along with Herb Alpert records. I eventually attended the Eastman School of Music and, from there, hooked up with other musicians to form the group Auracle, playing jazz-fusion.

MJ: What about horns that you're playing?

RB: I'm playing on a Getzen Custom Series 3050S and love it.

MJ: How about your fluegelhorn?

RB: There I'm playing an 895S ...beautiful sound.

MJ: Are there any special approaches that you make toward either playing or practicing the trumpet?

RB: As far as range is concerned, one of the things that I've used is the Carmine Caruso method. The exercises really helped my strength and endurance as well.

MJ: Anything else you'd like to add?

RB: Thanks to all our loyal fans, you're amazing! And that seems to cover it pretty well.

MJ: Well, we appreciate your time, Rick. Enjoy!