Best Trumpet Players of All Time

Innovator

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

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

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

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.

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

This trumpeter is absolutely remarkable.

Great player, great personality.

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

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.

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

he's good.

“Håkan Hardenberger, the cleanest, subtlest trumpet player on earth.” The Times Håkan Hardenberger is the greatest trumpet soloist today. Alongside his phenomenal performances of the classical repertory, he is also held in high regard as a pioneer of many significant and virtuosic new trumpet works.

Principle metropolitan opera orchestra

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

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

Innovative, unique, versatile

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

Flawless technique, amazing lipslurs, easily played higher register

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

awesome range and power with unequaled technique

He is one of the 'heavy hitters' of the classical world. He plays for the American Brass Quintet. He is also a founding member of the Summit Brass and principal trumpeter of the New York City Ballet Orchestra. Mr. Mase can be heard on well over one hundred recordings, including as soloist on the Albany, Deutsche Grammophon, Summit, Koch, Cambria, Troy, MHS, and Furious Artisans labels. In addition to his performing and teaching, Mr. Mase is Chair of the Brass Department at The Juilliard School, a member of the Aspen Music School faculty,and has served on the Board of Directors of Chamber Music America.

Easily top 10 today.

played taps at the 70th commemoration of Pearl Harbor. in high school.

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.

So sexy!

He could talk to you with his trumpet or fluegelhorn

can play soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo high its ridiculous. Has played with maynard ferguson, wynton marsalis, ray charles, and many more. :)

at 9 years old he can play like allen vizzuti

Highest range I've ever heard aside from Maynard Ferguson. Saw him live yesterday, got his book autographed.

newer guy that has great technical skills.

possibly the most fundamentally sound elementary school player alive. His potential is endless.

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

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...

Grant has a great sense of jazz and can play over a double high c soundly, and he is in middle school

Great Jazz player. Plays for Royal Crown Revue

One of the best upper registers ever. Clean playing

Wonderful tone, hits high notes with ease, he and Wayne Bergeron together are the bomb!

Classic!

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

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

vice principal of the new york phil harmonic ////// Bumblebee tuna:)

tehehe

Cherry Pink and Apple blossom white, no more to say

if you have to ask

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.

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!!!

Just listen to him..

Hersey is my Idol. He will probably never make anyone's list but he taught me everything I know. He is no longer with us but, was and will be the best ever in Toledo area!

fantastic Trumpet-Player since 30 Years

Under recognized, very talented player.

Greatest showman of all time reached notes on the trumpet that few in the world could.

Watch him...amazing at both trombone and trumpet

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.

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

Plays for Ebenezer church and has been recognized worldwide.

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

listen to ramon playing for Yanni in 2005

JUST GOOD STUFF

One of the most emotional players ever with an incredible range of sounds. Listen to Ellingtons early recordings (1929 and earlier). Miley swings, sings, sizzles and screams

Truly the golden tones of heaven. Sweetest sound ever - no one could come close.

He may not be the best but he has a unique sound and is never boring to listen to

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.