Trumpet Player Joey Pero of
New York City

Trumpet Player Joey Pero of New York City grew up in a small suburb between Rochester and Buffalo, New York. Although music was never a career for either parents, it was always prevalent in Joey Pero's house growing up. Records of Maynard Ferguson, Leonard Bernstein conducting the New York Philharmonic, Disney, Frank Zappa and every other group you could think of from 1965 on. When Joey's mom was 10 months pregnant they went to a live Maynard Ferguson concert. Maybe thats where the love for the trumpet comes in? Joey started to play at about 13 years old through drum corps. He later became involved with the Empire Statesmen drum and bugle corps from Rochester, New York. The director, Vince Bruni, took Joey in as his own and taught him valuable lessons steming from entertainment to loyalty and integrity. The playing along with Maynard Ferguson's screaming obbligato melodies gave Joey a rush and he found sanctity in this ritual. But there came a time where if Joey really wanted to make it as an artist, he would have to buckle down and learn the fundamentals of the trumpet. Joey relates, "I do have the most amazing parents you could ask for. They would sacrifice anything to allow my growth, a very rare and noble gift. Even if I was a brat at times, they would tell you that I turned out okay. I remember the chance meeting of Wynton Marsalis after a concert in Toronto (following a good week off of school from having the flu). There was no doubt in my fathers mind as we drove into Canada that I would meet the man who had profoundly influenced me throughout my life. My parents taught me perseverance and always achieving what you desire. During High School, I began studying with Paul Shewan who gave me insight into musical expression; poising me for performing and auditioning.

Joey continues ... "When I finished high school, I moved to New York to pursue my studies at the Juilliard School of Music. That�s� when I learned the importance of taking advantage of opportunities that present themselves. In retrospect, my move to New York presented a chain of events that led me to blossom into who I am today. While at "the yard" I studied with Raymond Mase and Mark Gould; each possessing a gift for teaching and profound insight into the fundamentals of artistry, trumpet pedagogy and beyond. I was privileged to consider Wynton Marsalis my mentor. Wow, he is an amazing artist. It is through Wynton that I made a conjunctive effort to learn the Dave Monette equipment in hopes of expanding my communicative abilities. He later gifted me the brush gold "Raja" C trumpet I used on many of the tracks on "Resonance." As many artist, I began developing my own "concepts" that when applied, deal with the success of performance and truly "resonating" with an audience.

TRUMPET PLAYER JOEY PERO

Arban�s Complete Conservatory Trumpet Method and Schlossberg's Daily Drills are great books to work through. They are also endlessly valuable for standard upkeep throughout ones career. Be creative within the various exercises that you play. Keep warm-ups, practice and musical adventures filled with variety and variability. Some pretty detailed information regarding single and multiple tonguing as well as range on my blog. (with videos) ...

Challenges: Overcoming fear and discomfort to achieve goals.

Trumpet Player Joey Pero continues his thoughts ... "My study of trumpet and interest in the Monette concepts brought me unexpectedly to Boston. I began studying at the New England Conservatory with Charles Schlueter, former principal trumpet of the Boston Symphony and in my opinion (as well as others), one of the most influential brass musicians of our time. Charlie is the orchestral trumpet player that every one will be trying to sound like in 15-20 years. Charlie is a master musician and an all around great man. When we first met in New York, I wanted to take a lesson but didn't have the money to pay him. He responded by asking for a dozen Krispy Kreme Donuts, which he couldn't get in Boston (at that time) and apparently he ached for! It was very apparent by 10 minutes into our session that I had met a man who is extraordinarily giving of himself and his skills. To this day, I consider him a friend and mentor.

From there it was off to California for a possible opportunity to join the tony award winning show "Blast." This opportunity did not pan out, but was replaced by one unexpected offer. My trumpet idol and first influence, Jazz trumpet legend Maynard Ferguson hired me to play the second chair on his tour with the Big Bop Nouveau Band. That touring experience was like no other. The music, and especially Maynard, inspiring me night after night. "Boss" always led by example and showed us how to use entertainment and inspiration as a service for education. To serve is to be served. Maynard had the most incredible energy. His study of Hatha Yoga among other Eastern traditions, yielded a long powerful career of energy and positive thoughts.

After Maynard, and to make ends meet, I did a short stint working for my favorite car company (besides Lamborghini) Honda. J. Robert Sebo made it possible for "Resonance" to become a reality, how could I not decide to resonate? Two years later, here we are together. I must thank Joe and Jeannie Pero, Charles Ressler, Peter Fish, Bob and Linda Sebo, Ted Hissong, Alison Godfrey, Irving Dardik, Jonathan Strasser, and others. Concerning private trumpet teachers and methods ... Paul Shewan gave me insight into musical expression; poising me for performing and auditioning. At Juilliard, I studied with Raymond Mase and Mark Gould; each possessing a gift for teaching and profound insight into the fundamentals of artistry, trumpet pedagogy and beyond. I was privileged to consider Wynton Marsalis a mentor. Wynton always teaches through example; I gained some of the most amazing lessons in music, life and artistic expression.

TRUMPET PLAYER JOEY PERO