As Geoffrey Simon points out in his booklet note, the sheer difficulty of getting thirty-one of the country’s finest trumpet players together in one place simultaneously makes this recording something of a miracle for logistical reasons alone. The fact that in two recording sessions they managed to put down enough material to fill two discs (albeit only forty four minutes worth in the case of this second volume) is perhaps fortunate given that it is not easy to imagine the feat being readily performed again.

As part of Cala’s ongoing ‘London Sound’ series, one of the principal objectives of the project was to reflect the diversity of the trumpet as an instrument as well as the vast performance experience of the players, who were drawn from the worlds of classical, jazz, film, session and brass bands amongst others.

The jazz element is represented by the opening two numbers, Mambo Caliente (presumably written by the Cuban trumpet legend Arturo Sandoval although the booklet notes do not confirm this) and Dos Gardenias. From a muted, sleepy opening Mambo Caliente springs into life with a vibrant, Latin rhythm section and some magnificent high trumpet work from Patrick White, a player with an impressive pedigree in West End shows, jazz and session work. Dos Gardenias slows things down to a relaxed rumba, with prominent solo flügel horn. From here a short hop to the world of popular music takes us to I Heard it Through the Grapevine, again featuring both fine solo playing from Patrick White and some enjoyable collective work from the ensemble in an effective arrangement by trombonist Roger Harvey.

Of the remaining fare Daryl Runswick, more a name familiar for his work with vocal ensembles, introduces some interesting twists into his arrangement of Amazing Grace (try the harmonies from around 3:55) whilst Arban’s The Carnival of Venice, for many years a goal for every aspiring cornet player, is here given over to the solo skills of trumpeter John Wallace and Roger Webster, principal cornettist with the Black Dyke Band.

I was less taken with the arrangement of John Williams’ Superman although Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks sounds particularly regal and as with much baroque and early music transcribes well for the medium. The familiar Hoedown from Copland’s Rodeo provides a fun and energetic conclusion to the disc.

A recording primarily for the specialist then but well worth hearing for the phenomenal skills of some of the world’s leading exponents of the trumpet. The booklet notes give brief, useful biographies of all of the players although it is a shame that room could not be found for a little more information on the music and arrangers, particularly in respect of the jazz numbers.

Christopher Thomas

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