World-renowned trumpeters. Recommended trumpet players who are active on the global stage.
Who comes to mind when you think of trumpet players?
In jazz, you might think of Louis Armstrong or Miles Davis; in the classical world, perhaps Matthias Höfs or Sergei Nakariakov.
We also can’t leave out Wynton Marsalis, often acclaimed as one of the world’s greatest trumpeters in both jazz and classical music.
In this article, we’ll introduce famous trumpeters who are active on the world stage.
We’ll feature artists across jazz and classical, regardless of gender or nationality, and we hope you’ll find a new favorite player as you read.
Famous trumpeters of the world. Recommended trumpet players active globally (1–10)
LibertangoAlison Balsom
A British trumpet player.
She is active as one of the few female soloists, mainly in Europe.
In addition to her solo career, she currently serves as principal trumpet of the London Chamber Orchestra and as a visiting professor at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
She first visited Japan in 2005 and performed at the NHK Symphony Orchestra’s Summer Concert.
Since most trumpet soloists are men, many women are likely delighted by her success as a female trumpet player.
We hope that more women will follow in her footsteps and take up the trumpet as soloists.
Delibes ‘Daughters of Cadiz’Hans Gansch
Born in Austria, I am a classical trumpet player.
After serving as principal trumpet of the Bruckner Orchestra Linz and the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, I became a trumpeter with the Vienna State Opera and the Vienna Philharmonic.
Even after leaving those posts, I have been active worldwide as a soloist.
European trumpet players have beautiful tone even in the high register, don’t they? I admire how they effortlessly play phrases that, when you look at the score, make you think they’re written for clarinet or violin.
CHEROKEEWynton Marsalis
Wynton Marsalis, widely regarded by many as the world’s greatest trumpet player, is a renowned American jazz trumpeter well known in Japan, and he is also recognized as a classical performer.
He has won a total of nine Grammy Awards across both jazz and classical.
He joined Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers in 1980, and his performances from that period are especially popular among Japanese fans.
He drew attention in 2006 when he appeared in an iPod commercial.
While there are musicians who perform both classical and jazz, there are few who can so clearly separate and command the two styles as Marsalis does.
He’s such an exceptionally skilled trumpeter that he’s even drawn a fair amount of envy.
Star Trek themeErikku Miyashiro
A third-generation Japanese-American born in Hawaii, known as a high-note hitter.
After moving to Japan, he has been active as a studio musician while forming a big band called the EM Band and performing live.
The high notes you hear on numerous recordings are mostly played by Eric Miyashiro, who has also made his mark in anime and video game music that many of you know well, such as Mario Kart 8 and Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance.
He is a trumpet instructor in the Popular Music Course at Showa University of Music and serves as a visiting professor at Kunitachi College of Music, Senzoku Gakuen College of Music, and Osaka University of Arts.
It’s enviable to be able to study under Eric Miyashiro!
When the Saints Go Marching InLouis Armstrong
An African American jazz musician who is a charismatic figure in the world of jazz trumpet.
He excelled not only as a trumpeter but also as a singer and actor, and was affectionately known as “Satchmo.” His 1967 release What a Wonderful World became a global mega-hit and has been used in many commercials in Japan as well.
When people talk about jazz trumpeters, the name of Louis Armstrong—Satchmo—always comes up; many were inspired to take up the trumpet after hearing his performances.
He remains a figure of admiration in the jazz trumpet world.
Trumpet of the Night SkyNini Rosso
Nini Rosso, the trumpet poet Italy is proud of.
A master of jazz and easy listening who was active in the 1960s.
He chose the path of music at 19 and began his career in nightclubs, eventually making a name for himself as one of Italy’s foremost jazz trumpeters.
In 1965, he scored a worldwide hit with a piece evoking a quiet night, reaching No.
1 on the charts in several European countries and selling over a million copies.
He was also known for his fondness for a Japanese-made pocket trumpet, captivating many fans with his uniquely warm tone.
He’s the perfect performer not only for jazz enthusiasts but for anyone seeking comfortable, soothing music.
Pazu’s “The Dove and the Boy” from Castle in the SkyKazuhara Susumu
This is Susumu Kasahara, a Japanese trumpet player born in 1946 in Okayama Prefecture, who has participated as a studio musician on numerous artists’ albums.
In the world of anime, in addition to Lupin the Third, he has frequently contributed to Studio Ghibli works; the trumpet sound played by Pazu in the Studio Ghibli feature film Castle in the Sky is also Kasahara’s.
He has performed for many other anime series as well, including Mobile Suit Gundam, City Hunter, and Cardcaptor Sakura.
He has appeared as a guest trumpeter on the NEW SOUND IN BRASS wind ensemble album series, so many people involved in concert band music have likely heard Kasahara’s performances.