Vince DiMartino is sought after as both a trumpet performer and educator. His vast wealth of performance experience includes lead and solo work with the Lionel Hampton Band, Chuck Mangione Band and Clark Terry Band. Vince has appeared as soloist with top orchestras and bands throughout the USA and also has numerous solo recording projects. He has played an important part for the International Trumpet Guild over the years, and is a regular teacher, clinician and artist at specialist seminars and courses around the world.
Through Vince’s relationship with Pickett Brass, I was delighted to be able to put a few questions to him:
What drew you to the trumpet as a child?
I really was interested in drums but they said they had enough so I tried trumpet! I liked it and stuck with it.
Did you have any particular early musical influences or heroes?
Yes! I met Louis Armstrong in my first year of playing. He talked to me and was so nice to me. I also met Maynard Ferguson the same night! My neighbor was a bass player and told me to get a few records-Miles Davis, Maynard, Rafael Mendez and Billy Butterfield. Lucky me!
Career highlights to date?
So many…but I try to love every day, concert, rehearsal or practicing. I must say there is nothing like playing with my son Gabriel. I love Greece and my friends, Australia and my friends there, Asia….etc. Every place in the world especially home is great!
As a leading educator and clinician, have you found that your approach to playing and teaching the trumpet has changed over the years? How and why?!
Of course! My attention to the basics of producing a consistent sound are always in my mind. My teaching has become more simple. Every school of trumpet thought eventually reaches that same conclusion.
As a top performer, are there any particular routines that you follow to keep yourself in good shape for performance?
I try to keep my fundamentals higher than what is required to play most works.
How do keep on top of your trumpet playing while you are travelling?
Keep doing what you do every day the same as best you can. Try to play three times a day. I usually do that at home too.
Can you tell us a little about the current relationships that you have with manufacturers? What was the process like, working with Pickett Brass on new mouthpieces?
We are lucky to have so many wonderful industry people! I know most of them by name, product and reputation. I have been fortunate to have worked pretty closely with many of them.
As far as working with Peter Pickett and Eric Murine, it is wonderful! They have helped me develop a set of mouthpieces for all my trumpets, cornets and flugelhorn. I am lucky to live close to Lexington and can visit frequently. Peter is always willing to listen to me about my “ideas”. He lets me try some things and then we go on, working together hand in hand. I always feel like I am part of the process. As a result, I have felt that many of the things we have to do with a trumpet are more confident and feel good. Eric is a fine player too and usually comes very close to picking what I need to start with. Great team work from all sides.
Pickett Brass offer a huge range of trumpet mouthpieces – their experience in trumpet playing and manufacturing gives a broad range that is immaculately designed and produced. As well as Vince, they have an incredible roster of artists including Allen Vizzutti, Rex Richardson, Doc Severinsen and Jens Lindemann. Visit their website to find out more.
Thompson Music stock a great range of Pickett Brass mouthpieces – you can click here to view the full range.
The Vince DiMartino Signature mouthpieces are all available here
Vince is also a Shires Performing Artist: You can view these trumpets here
I would like to talk to Mr, Dimartino about doing a clinic how may I contact him?
Hi David, I will pass your email address onto Vince.