The most important aspects of playing lead trumpet are to swing hard, play with a big, fat sound and stylistically lead the trumpet section and the band. It is essential for the aspiring lead trumpeter to study the phrasing, articulation and the stylistic nuances of the masters.

Conrad Gozzo--Frank Sinatra, Woody Herman and LA Studio
His huge sound and swinging feel set the standard for modern lead trumpet. His phrasing was pure perfection. He led a section like the true artist. His articulations, smears, falls and releases were textbook (and he wrote the book). His work with Nelson Riddle and Billy May is a must. Listen: Sinatra's Swinging Session (Capitol) or any Frank Sinatra recording on Capitol Records in the 1950's.

Snooky Young--Count Basie, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, Jimmie Lunceford, NY and LA Studio
Co-authored the "book" on modern first trumpet style with Gozzo. His intense, meticulous, swinging phrasing established the New Testament Basie sound. Young brilliantly interpreted the work of Thad Jones, Frank Foster, Quincy Jones and Neal Hefti during his Basie days and left no doubt of his genius. He is also a phenomenal soloist and master of the plunger mute. Listen: Basie's Breakfast Dance and Barbecue (Roulette) or any Basie recording on Roulette Records in 1950's or 1960's.

Maynard Ferguson--Stan Kenton, LA Studio, Own Band
Maynard's influence cannot be quantified. His tone and power are unparalleled. He is a tremendous soloist first and foremost (check out the Dinah Washington records with Clifford Brown). But, his contributions to evolution of lead trumpet are gigantic. Maynard swings. He plays with unbridled excitement and enthusiasm, as if every note could be his last. Total freedom. Listen: Message From Newport (Roulette) or any Maynard Ferguson Roulette Recordings 1958-1964 or Stan Kenton Capitol Recordings 1950-1953.

Note: The following list, essentially in chronological order, comprises many of the tremendous lead trumpet stylists and lists the bands and studios in which they honed their craft. They all have unique approaches to interpreting the music, and should be studied for their individual stylistic nuances (in the exact same fashion as one would study the styles of a great soloist like Dizzy Gillespie or Clifford Brown).

Doc Cheatham--Chick Webb, McKinney's Cotton Pickers, Cab Calloway and NY Studio
Wallace Jones--Duke Ellington
Ed Lewis--Count Basie
Shorty Baker--Duke Ellington
Mario Bauza--Cab Calloway and Machito
Ray Wetzel--Stan Kenton
Nick Buono--Harry James
Al Porcino--Count Basie, Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, Frank Sinatra and Stan Kenton
Doc Severinson--NY and LA Studios
Don Jacoby--NY and Chicago Studios
Uan Rasey--LA Studio
Jimmy Maxwell--Benny Goodman and NY Studio
Charlie Margolis--LA Studio
Buddy Childers--Stan Kenton, Frank Sinatra and LA Studio
Bernie Glow--Herman, Gil Evans and NY Studio
Ernie Royal--Count Basie, Woody Herman, Gil Evans and NY Studio
Reunald Jones--Count Basie
Lamar Wright--Cab Calloway, Lionel Hampton and Dizzy Gillespie
Benny Bailey--Lionel Hampton, Kenny Clarke-Francy Boland and Quincy Jones
Johnny Audino--Woody Herman, Gerald Wilson, NBC Tonight Show and LA Studio
Bill Chase--Stan Kenton, Maynard Ferguson, Woody Herman and Las Vegas
Bud Brisbois--Stan Kenton and LA Studio
John Howell--Stan Kenton, Woody Herman and LA Studio
Dalton Smith--Stan Kenton and LA Studio
Ollie Mitchell--Buddy Rich and LA Studio
Wallace Davenport--Count Basie, Frank Sinatra, Lionel Hampton and New Orleans
Chet Ferretti--Maynard Ferguson
Rick Keifer--Maynard Ferguson and WDR Radio Orchestra
Bobby Shew--Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Louis Bellson and LA Studio
Chuck Findley--Buddy Rich, Las Vegas and LA Studio
Marvin Stamm--Stan Kenton, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis and NY Studio
Burt Collins--Woody Herman and NY Studio
Joe Shepley--NY Studio
John Frosk--NY Studio
Victor Paz--Chico O'Farrill, Tito Puente, Fania All Stars and NY Studio
Fip Ricard--Count Basie, Sammy Davis, Las Vegas and LA Studio
Charlie Turner--Sinatra and Las Vegas
Dave Stahl--Woody Herman, Count Basie, Buddy Rich, Frank Sinatra and NY Studio
Jon Faddis--Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, Charles Mingus and NY Studio
Derek Watkins--Maynard Ferguson and London Studio
Bobby Bryant--Oliver Nelson, Gerald Wilson and LA Studio
Malcolm McNab--LA Studio
Walt Johnson--Louis Bellson, Frank Sinatra, Las Vegas and LA Studio
Charlie Davis--Buddy Rich and LA Studio
Lynn Nicholson--Maynard Ferguson, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, Toshiko Akiyoshi and Las Vegas
Lew Soloff--Blood Sweat and Tears, Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and NY Studio
Carl Saunders--Bill Holman, Las Vegas and LA Studio
Earl Gardner--Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, Mingus, SNL and NY Studio
George Graham--LA Studio
Roger Ingram--Woody Herman, Maynard Ferguson, Harry Connick and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra
Wayne Bergeron--Maynard Ferguson and LA Studio
Byron Stripling--Count Basie, Woody Herman and NY Studio
Mike Williams--Count Basie
Greg Gisbert--Buddy Rich, Woody Herman and NY Studio
Eric Miyashiro--Buddy Rich, Woody Herman and Tokyo Studio
Walter White--Maynard Ferguson, Woody Herman, Mingus and NY Studio
Craig Johnson--Maynard Ferguson and NY Studio
Paul Stephens--Maynard Ferguson and the Jazz Ambassadors
Tony Kadleck--Maria Schneider and NY Studio
Bob Millikan--NY Studio
Lee Thornburg--Tower of Power and LA Studio
Piro Rodriguez--Tito Puente and NY Studio
Peter Olstad--Maynard Ferguson, Woody Herman, Tom Jones and NY Studio
Tom DeLibero--Las Vegas
Dave Trigg--Natalie Cole and LA/NY Studios
Scott Englebright--Maynard Ferguson
Seneca Black--Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra
Elpidio Chapotin--Havana Studios and NG La Banda