Charles Moore's reputation in Detroit is as sparkling as his tone on both trumpet and flügelhorn, an approach that has been compared to vintage '60s-era Miles Davis. Unlike the latter superstar, Moore's energies in that and subsequent decades went into community support projects as well as blowing modern jazz solos. In 1964, Moore was one of a... [+] Read More

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Put a few trombonists together and the talk will inevitably come around to mouthpieces and multiphonics. Dick Griffin is one of the most respected players of the long brass horn whose employers include dozens of big names in jazz. He is considered one of the greats at producing multiphonics and has most likely created lots of new conversational... [+] Read More

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A fine hard bop soloist, Jimmy Owens has never achieved much fame. He started on trumpet when he was ten and later on studied trumpet with Donald Byrd. Owens has played as a sideman with many major players, including Lionel Hampton (1963-1964), Hank Crawford (1964-1965), Charles Mingus, Herbie Mann, Duke Ellington, Gerry Mulligan, Count Basie,... [+] Read More

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Because he has spent most of his career in Detroit and has not recorded enough, Marcus Belgrave has often been overlooked. A flexible and talented trumpeter able to play both hard bop and free, Belgrave was tutored by Clifford Brown a bit when he was 17. He toured with Ray Charles during 1954-1959 and had opportunities to play with the groups of... [+] Read More

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A fine clarinetist and tenor saxophonist, Wendell Harrison has been an important force in Detroit during the past several decades. He began on clarinet when he was seven, started playing tenor in high school, and studied with Barry Harris. In 1960, he moved to New York, playing with Jack McDuff, Elvin Jones, Sonny Stitt, Grant Green, and Sun Ra,... [+] Read More

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Woody Shaw was one of the top trumpeters of the 1970s and '80s, a major soloist influenced by Freddie Hubbard but more advanced harmonically, who bridged the gap between hard bop and the avant-garde. Unfortunately, he never broke through to greater stardom (due partly to "personal problems" and failing eyesight) and his premature death from... [+] Read More

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