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including the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Band. But it was in the popular groundbreaking group Blood, Sweat And Tears that Soloff’s trumpet solos
became an indelible part of American culture. He was an integral part of the band from 1968 to 1973, racking up 9 Gold records, a Grammy for “Record
of The Year” (1969) and creating those searing horn lines in “Spinning Wheel.” Following his time with Blood, Sweat And Tears, Soloff demonstrated
his distinguished abilities in the studio. The depth of recordings that include his work illustrate why he is consistently in demand. Some of those
projects include releases by; Roy Ayers, Bob Belden, George Benson, Benny Carter, Stanley Clarke, Paquito D’Rivera, Miles Davis/Quincy Jones (Live
At Montreux), Mercer Ellington, Grant Green, Lionel Hampton, Bob James, Herbie Mann, Tania Maria, Carmen McRae, Laura Nyro, Jaco Pastorius,
Mongo Santamaria, Little Jimmy Scott, Wayne Shorter and Stanley Turrentine.
This classically trained jazz player however is indeed a chameleon in front of the microphone, participating in sessions and concerts for some of pop’s
most respected figures namely; Tony Bennett, Elvis Costello, Marianne Faithful, Aretha Franklin, Lou Reed, Frank Sinatra, Paul Simon and Barbra
Streisand. Defying strict classification, he can also be heard on recordings by Phillip Glass and Kip Hanrahan as well as Blues legends John Mayall
and Dr. John. A brief listing of the film soundtracks that have Soloff in the mix include; The Big Lebowski, Lethal Weapon 3, Brighton Beach Memoirs,
Carlito’s Way, The Color of Money, Coming To America, The Mambo Kings, Meet Joe Black, National Lampoon’s Vacation, Tender Mercies, and Maid
In Manhattan. Also a respected educator, he continues to appear at universities around the country where he utilizes the Gil Evans arrangements
that have been an essential element of his repertoire through the years. He has been on the faculty of the Manhattan School of Music for nearly 20
years and has been an adjunct faculty member at Julliard and New School. Lew Soloff plays exclusively on Sonaré Bb trumpets made by Blessing.
MArvINSTAmm
Throughout his distinguished career, Marvin Stamm has been praised for both the art and the craft of trumpet
playing. Leonard Feather stated that “Mr. Stamm is an accomplished performer whose technical skill is used as a
means to stimulating original ends.” While attending North Texas State University, a school noted for its innovative
Lab Band program Mr. Stamm was discovered by Stan Kenton. Upon graduating, Stamm performed with the
Kenton’s orchestra as the jazz trumpet soloist 1961-1962, recording five albums with the orchestra. In 1965-1966,
he toured worldwide with Woody Herman.
Marvin Stamm settled in New York City in late 1966, quickly establishing himself as a busy jazz and studio trumpeter.
New York was bustling with jazz activity during that period, and Stamm performed at key venues with many of the
significant players in the business. He gained considerable recognition for his playing with the Thad Jones/Mel
Lewis Jazz Orchestra (1966-1972) and the Duke Pearson Big Band (1967-1970), as well as performing with Frank
Sinatra (1973-1974) and the Benny Goodman Sextet (1974-1975), among others. Stamm was also a recognized firstcall
studio player (1966-1989). Some of the jazz artists with whom he recorded include Bill Evans, Quincy Jones,
Oliver Nelson, Duke Pearson, Thad Jones, Wes Montgomery, Freddie Hubbard, Stanley Turrentine, Patrick Williams,
Michel Legrand, Lena Horne, Frank Foster, Paul Desmond, George Benson, and many other popular artists of the
period as well. Eschewing the lucrative studio scene in the late ‘80s, Mr. Stamm has focused his attention on his first love, playing jazz. Over his
career, he has been a member of John Lewis’ American Jazz Orchestra, the Bob Mintzer Band, the George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band, Louis Bellson’s
big band and/or quintet and, on a number of occasions, performed with the big band of composer Maria Schneider.
Currently, Mr. Stamm spends much of the year touring. His activities include performing as a soloist, touring with his jazz quartet, and playing in
duo with pianist Bill Mays. Stamm and Mays recently formed and are touring with a new group, the Inventions Trio, which includes cellist Alisa Horn.
Stamm performs occasionally with symphony orchestras and maintains his ties with the George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band. At home, Mr. Stamm
participates and performs with the Westchester Jazz Orchestra, a big band made up of some of the finest jazz musicians in the New York area, all
living in Westchester County and led by composer/arranger Mike Holober.
The critical response to Stamm’s work has been highly enthusiastic. Downbeat reported that “Stamm has a gorgeous tone on the trumpet and
flugelhorn, and he flies through the changes”. JazzTimes said that “the Memphis native has chops and talent in abundance. He can burn on bebop
changes, or mellow out on a ballad, all the time maintaining the lucid consistency that enthusiasm and experience engenders.” Jazz Review states, “It
is a pleasure listening to the work of Marvin Stamm, anytime! Stamm is a musician’s musician, performing flawlessly on his trumpet and flugelhorn.”
Consciously acknowledging his debt to the influence and guidance of former teachers and fellow musicians, Marvin Stamm also commits a good deal
of his time and energies to helping young music students develop their own voices. His involvement in jazz education takes him to universities and high
schools across the U.S. and abroad as a performer, clinician and mentor, perpetuating the traditions of excitement and innovation that jazz represents.
JAMeSTHomPSoN
James Thompson is currently Professor of Trumpet at the Eastman School of Music. He came to this position having
played Principal Trumpet in the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra since September 1990. He has held corresponding
positions with the Phoenix Symphony, the Orchestra of the State of Mexico, the National Symphony of Mexico, and
for 14 years, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. Born in Frankfurt, Germany, he was raised in Phoenix, Arizona
where he began trumpet studies at the age of ten. His principal teachers included Richard Longfield and Roger
Voisin.
Mr. Thompson has been active both as a soloist and a teacher. He has taught trumpet and Brass Ensemble at Northern Arizona University, the
National Conservatory of Music in Mexico City, and McGill University in Montreal, Canada. He has also performed as soloist with orchestras in North
and South America as well as Europe. In 1979 he competed in the first Maurice Andre International Trumpet Competition and was a prizewinner. He has
made recital tours to Japan, Canada, Spain, Germany, Sweden, Norway, and Latin America. He has also been a guest artist with the Summit Brass, a
brass chamber ensemble made up of members from America’s finest orchestras, and Chicago’s Music of the Baroque.
International Trumpet Guild Program | Page 51