Trumpet Player Michael Manthey of
Sacramento, California

Trumpet Player Michael Manthey originally from Guilford, Conneticut, began playing the trumpet in fifth grade under the direction of Jack Thompson. Michael Manthey moved to Cape Girardeau Missouri at age 16. Michael attended South East Missouri State University from 1978 - 1982. In 1982, Michael left Cape Girardeau and moved to St Louis Missouri to begin playing with Top 40 R&B show band, "The Spirit Of St. Louis." In 1988, Michael joined the World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra, playing split lead and lead trumpet until the fall of 1982. After leaving the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Michael put down the horn for a short time and returned to school earning his nursing license. Michael moved to Branson, Missouri in 2000 working first for the Shoji Tabuchi Show, then the Lawrence Welk Show. In 2002, Michael moved to southern Florida, free lancing, returning to Branson in 2004 to play lead trumpet for the final Fall/Christmas season with the Lawrence Welk Show. Michael now resides in the greater Sacramento, California area continuing to do tours with The Stars of the Lawrence Welk TV Show as he has for the last seven years.

In 2006, Michael joined the Maynard Ferguson Big Bop Nouveau Band as trumpet player and personal road assistant to Maynard Ferguson. After Maynard�s passing, Michael has remained active free lancing and teaching when off the road.

Michael relates that he has studied trumpet with Jack Thompson, Carmine Caruso, Robert Restemyer, Bob Ceccarini, Chris Jaudes, Don Jacoby, Jim Manley, and has attended master classes with Bobby Shew, Lew Soloff, Ray Crisara, Bob McCoy, Don Butterfield, and Roger Murtha.

Trumpet Player Michael Manthey has recorded with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, and Pete Fountain and The Lawrence Welk Orchestra, and TV specials with The Glenn Miller Orchestra and the Lawrence Welk show. Michael has performed with Ed Shaughnessy, The Four Freshman, RoseMary Clooney, Mel Torme, Steve Marsh Torme, Lonette McKey, The Mills Brothers, Cab Calloway Show With Chris Brooks, Mickey and Jan Rooney, Little Anthony and The Imperials, Bill Tole and The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, The Russ Morgan Orchestra, NCL Cruise Line, The Four Tops, The Tempations, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, and In The Mood Live - A Musical Review

Michael states that a great place to start in terms of trumpet practice would be with Schlossberg - Clarke Technical Studies - Clarke Characteristic Studies - Charles Colin Advanced Lip Flexibility Studies - Bob Findley's Book - Roger Ingram's Clinical Notes - Earl D. Irons - Arbans etc.

Michael relates, "Regardless of which teacher I've ever had, the one word that every single one of them said to me was RELAX! I was always too tense! After a seven year lay off from the horn, when I got back to playing, I spent time studying with my friend Jim Manley. The first thing he said to me was, Slip, (that's my nick name, and I welcome it) you've got to relax! Years ago Bob Ceccarini and Chris Jaudes got me, back to basics, a.k.a. fundamental control of the instrument. And when I was out with Maynard, while we didn't talk a lot about trumpet playing the one thing I heard him talk about more than any other, "man, ah ... ya gotta stay relaxed."

Breathing ... I use to do The Wedge thing, that is very well explained by Bobby Shew and Roger Ingram. However, the last six or seven years I've been appoaching the breathing aspect of trumpet playing more like Jim Manley does. See "Jim Manley and the Airmen of Note" Youtube clips! ... that's the way I try to approach the trumpet. With a huge ahhhhh breath down to the knees."

Michael relates that his preference in equipment is a Scodwell USA Trumpet and Flugelhorn. Michael states, "By far these are the best, and most versatile horns I have ever played." A great write up on the Scodwell horns can be found at
Washington Music Center - Tony Scodwell Trumpets Page
I play every horn I can get my hands on, and Tony Scodwells are the best in my opinion. Mouthpieces, for the last nine years I have played Bob Reeves Mouthpieces. Michael also uses Ultra Pure Valve Oil and Slide Lub.

Michael ended our interview by stating ... "Music is a wonderful human invention. It should be enjoyed, at what ever level. Always keep an open mind and be willing to learn from others. Listen to as many different types of music, and players, as you can. I am the product of a public school music program, and a state university music system. I respect the need for good music educators, and, those that are. I believe that, as a professional musician, I can offer what I have learned over the years to younger students."

WITH JOE MOSELLO AND FRANK GREENE

Michael can be contacted by email at slip0105@hotmail.com