Best Trumpet Players of All Time

Innovator

Began as a phenom as a teen. Became one of the great Jazz trumpeters.

There is no such thing as 'the greatest' or 'best ever' be it trumpet players or any other, personal preference & bias append. No, the ears have it - audience's. As such, I'll add Herb Alpert to this very subjective list of fine players.

Incredible player both classically and in jazz, superb innovator and promoter of music.

This trumpeter is absolutely remarkable.

He has been seated by his peers as the greatest classical player to date.

Amazing Trumpet player whose tone quality is incredible and just melts your heart!

what can I say? One of the most passionate players. In my opinion he lived what he played

Unique sound, exceptional tonal quality and projection in the high register

He was creative, innovative and he could express his feelings with trumpet!

Principle metropolitan opera orchestra

Rafael's unmatched technical skills coupled with his egoless desire to make beautiful music make him my choice for best trumpet player of all time.

Incredible piccolo trumpet player, great sound! Definetly one of the best!

Principal Trumpet for the Chicago Symphony for many years. He established himself as one of the great symphany orchestra players of all time.

Innovative, unique, versatile

Great player, great personality.

awesome range and power with unequaled technique

Classic!

So sexy!

Flawless technique, amazing lipslurs, easily played higher register

Every so often a player comes along with a tone quality that just melts your heart. This is one such artist. Beautiful, passionate, and articulate interpretations of trumpet standards.

he IS the lead player. was playing lead book with professional bands when he was 16! no, he doesn't have the highest range or cleanest articulations, but he has that in your face sounds while at the same time being able to put you to sleep with his ballads. Amazing trumpet player, not top ten, but definetly worthy to be on this list

newer guy that has great technical skills.

Just listen to him..

Has the best pure Mexican sound. Cleanest triple tounging I've ever heard. Heard him play carnival of Venice and end on not the super high F but the F above that. That alone should put him in the greats.

Amazing tone and virtuosic technique. Former Principle Trumpet player of LA Philharmonic in 1926.

One of the best upper registers ever. Clean playing

Because he is the best argentinian tango trumpeter of all time, he plays beyond quad high C with almost any effort, Sandoval and Marsalis recognized his supremacy when they visited Buenos Aires.

Mannie Klein....the most versatile reader of all studio players. Used to read 18 radio shows per week live after another player had come in practiced, and marked up the charts. In his 60s, had a triple session booked the day he had a stroke which took him out of the game

if you have to ask

because hes awesome at trumpet

Helped bring Klezmer music into jazz --> "And the Angels Sing" Was with Benny Goodman at the same time as Harry James Heart attack at 44 took away his breath. Taught Herb Alpert to play!!!

Brilliant NYC soloist who tragically died too soon from cancer. At only 27 years old, he had played on Joe Henderson early albums, Bob James, Larry Coryell. He could play bebop, latin, smooth jazz etc. Had the most lyrical solos I have ever hear and could play fiery jazz. Check him out guys!

Chuck would play for hours an octave up not missing while others doubled him down cacking away. THE most amazing studio player for modern work, period.

Plays for Ebenezer church and has been recognized worldwide.

only one of the best if not the best to ever pick up the instrument, THINK ABOUT IT!!!

He has a wide variety of notes, can master all rythms and can kick butt on the trumpet!!

He could talk to you with his trumpet or fluegelhorn

'Little Jazz' was the world's greatest, superceding Louis and influencing Diz and all of Be Bop!

One of Canada's great big band players, currently with Sophisticated Swing.

Bernie was a "first-call" studio player and big band lead player in the NYC area for many years. Had an immaculate style and was a true gentleman. Knew him and always considered him one of the best ever. Very modest as well. Always praising his colleagues.

One of the best. Performs, and hangs with Doc, Allen Vizzuti, etc.

I agree with the Herb Alpert comments, and that is why Harry James must be in the top five. His technical ability on the instrument was astonishing, but surpassed by the likes of Mendez, Sandoval and Andre. He was no doubt the most popular of them all - starring in movies, married to Betty Grable, a host of #1 songs, similar to Herb Albert in the latter. He had longevity and changed with the times; first recording in 1936 and into the 1970's, from 39 forward he employed a big band and kept many families fed. His recorded output is enormous and has small group, trio work, be-bop work, classical, popular, swing etc. Also, why has noone mentioned Blue Mitchell, Buck Clayton, Red Allen or Sweets Edison. Are you people biased against the great swing trumpet men?

Incredible trumpet player! Overpasses everyone that is her age.

Levitas Brothers www.levitasmusic.com

Classical genius

Highly innovative jazz fusion artist from the 1960s. A reknown South African who has recordedarlound 28 albums.

Because he's only in seventh grade but he's an extraordinary trumpet player he can play all the way from low g to high c!!! Plus he's one of the youngest trumpet players at his school and he's already in the top band and he is first chair!!!

Greatest studio musician ever. If you've seen a movie or watched a television program, you have heard him play.

He has the most beautiful sound with flawless technique. He wins every audition he takes. He is Chicago's principal player. What more should I say?

Lead with Lincoln Center and a great soloist. One of the best around today!

He is a beast at all musical instruments

Albuquerque's best Jazz Trumpeter

His collaboration with Ray Conniff is impressive. He has great timing and his feel for the music is as well done as any in this list.

many people sound like somebody else...but not this guy...King Kisor is one of the most unique players alive...his music is one of the most genuine ive ever heard of...was with him at a couple of gigs...great techniques too...simply, simply amazing...

at 9 years old he can play like allen vizzuti

He has played for 1,000s of fine people in retirment homes and they say he is great.