Trumpeter Byron Stripling Performed In Portland..

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Trumpeter Byron Stripling performed in Portland Saturday, May 8th, 2010 at Jimmy Mak’s Jazz Club. The bandstand was equally populated by Portland’s own world-class musicians Gary Hobbs (drums), and Saphu Recording artists Tim Gilson (bass), and Tony Pacini (piano).

Since most of the time Stripling is seen performing in symphony halls world wide, the Louis Armstrong inspired singer/trumpeter had the freedom to spontaneously arrange on the fly intros, cadenzas, and the occasional medley with his attentive, world class Portland rhythm section - a more intimate and jazz-like approach than audiences are used to seeing from the former Count Basie trumpeter. The Portland jazz audience experienced a more casual Byron, at times sitting onstage in a chair interacting with those sitting closest to him.

Some highlights included: Byron and the trio’s approach to “On The Sunny Side Of The Street”, reminiscent of Satchmo’s rendition as opposed to Dizzy’s.

Byron will return to Portland to perform in his more traditional environment with the Oregon Symphony in October this year.

- Saphu Records

Sidenote: Portland trumpeter and Saphu Recording artist Paul Mazzio came to the show to hang out with Bryon on the breaks. ( They both shared horn duties in the trumpet section as “Herdsmen” in Woody Herman’s big band together ).

(Photo and excerpt below from byronstripling.com)

“A spectacular trumpeter with a very wide range, a beautiful tone, and the ability to blend together many influences into his own style, Byron Stripling is also the artistic director of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, leader of his own quartet, and constantly in demand to play with pops orchestras around the world. Byron is an extroverted performer who brings the audience into his music. The happiness that he exudes through his trumpet, his vocals and his words is reminiscent of Louis Armstrong yet very much his own.” -Scott Yanow