Songs with cool trumpet. Introducing famous pieces from wind ensemble and jazz.
The trumpet is often regarded as a leading, spotlight instrument among wind instruments, and especially in wind ensembles and classical music, you’ll often hear the trumpet playing standout phrases.
Beyond that, there are plenty of songs where the trumpet shines in drama and film insert songs, as well as in jazz classics.
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide selection of cool trumpet pieces all at once.
We’ve chosen a variety of tracks across genres with the trumpet at the core, so be sure to find some pieces you’d like to perform yourself.
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Songs with cool trumpet parts: Introducing masterpieces of wind ensemble and jazz (1–10)
Main Theme from Battles Without Honor and HumanityTsushima Toshiaki
When you think of yakuza films, many people would name the iconic Battles Without Honor and Humanity.
A perennial favorite that ranks high on numerous movie lists and has even been adapted for the stage, it also boasts a highly memorable theme.
From the opening’s sobbing trumpet tone, you can feel an indescribable menace and dread.
With this piece, it’s less about technique and more about how well you capture the atmosphere.
Why not immerse yourself in the film’s world and perform as if you were part of it?
Sing, Sing, SingBenny Goodman
This piece is a swing jazz standard, and since it was featured in films like Swing Girls, many of you have probably heard it.
It was composed by Louis Prima, who was both a jazz singer and a trumpeter.
While the tune highlights the drummer and clarinet, it also makes great use of the trumpet’s best moments.
You can really enjoy the trumpet’s powerful, cool sound, so listen with a focus on that.
SummertimeGeorge Gershwin
George Gershwin, an American composer who worked across a wide range of genres including jazz, popular music, and classical, premiered his opera Porgy and Bess in 1935.
Its famous aria Summertime is not only sung by vocalists but is also beloved in instrumental performances on various instruments.
The lyrics are a lullaby wishing for a child’s growth, yet the song’s relaxed, languid mood pairs perfectly with jazz trumpet—making it a piece that lets the trumpet show off its coolness to the fullest.
Songs with Cool Trumpet: Introducing Wind Ensemble and Jazz Masterpieces (11–20)
Triumphal and Victory March from the opera AidaGiuseppe Verdi
This piece is the “Triumphal March” from the opera Aida, composed by Giuseppe Verdi.
It’s very popular and is often performed on its own.
The trumpet theme in this piece is also well known as a soccer chant.
With its brilliant, powerful tone, the trumpet is perfect for a cheering song.
The opera itself features exotic costumes and a captivating storyline, so I highly recommend watching it.
A Trumpeter’s HolidayLeroy Anderson
Here’s a piece composed by Leroy Anderson in 1954.
You’ve probably heard this piece—famous for its very fast passages—as background music at events like school sports days.
Despite being titled “A Trumpeter’s Holiday,” it gives the strong impression that the trumpet plays nonstop, which feels a bit contradictory, doesn’t it? However, it seems that in the past, military trumpeters were made to play mostly signals like wake-up and lights-out, so this piece reflects the desire to play something more enjoyable.
Knowing that changes how we picture the piece, doesn’t it?
William Tell OvertureGioachino Rossini
When it comes to pieces with memorable trumpet parts that we often hear, isn’t Rossini’s William Tell Overture the one that comes to mind? The title alone might not ring a bell, but you’ll recognize it as soon as you hear it.
Yes—the classic tune from school sports days! It’s so standard that many people might not have noticed, but the trumpet at the beginning of this piece is written with an extremely high level of difficulty.
Considering how challenging it is, wouldn’t you say it’s a pretty cool work?
Treasure IslandIzumi Hirotaka
Hirotaka Izumi, a leading figure in Japan’s proud fusion scene, was the keyboardist of T-SQUARE and shone during the band’s golden era from 1982 to 1998.
After leaving the group, he continued to work energetically as a solo artist and in numerous ensembles, but sadly passed away in April 2021.
Treasure Island, composed by Izumi during his T-SQUARE days, was arranged by Toshio Mashima—also known for arranging many famous pieces for wind ensemble—and has become a staple of the wind band repertoire, beloved at school festivals and beyond.
With trumpet solos and other featured parts, if you can pull this one off, you’ll undoubtedly be the star of the day!
