trumpets

 Ray Anthony has only endorsed two products during his long and successful career-- only two because he doesn’t give use of his name lightly.  As a teenager he played trumpet for the famed Glenn Miller Orchestra during the swing era.  A decade later he formed his own band and recorded a number of his own tunes including “The Bunny Hop.”  He played a Selmer trumpet in his early career, but switched some 40 years ago to a Yamaha trumpet.  Ray also formed his own music publishing company along the way and produced and released several well-selling albums.

Rod Baltimore has been a music retailer in New York for over 40 years. Much of that time was spent on the famed 48th street music central. Working with brass and woodwinds, Rod has maintained one of the most sought after repair shops in the state and often does work for customers outside the state and country. His career is highlighted by stories of Manny’s Music across the street and Sam Ash as well as the many friends and celebrities he has worked with over the years. Today, Rod is owner of New York Woodwind and Brass Music Company and, yes, you guessed it, it is located on 48th street, New York, New York.

Dave Bartholomew is a noted bandleader, trumpeter, and songwriter who captured a pioneering sound known as the “big beat” of rock and roll. His uncanny ability to provide the perfect musical expression to the words of his band mate Fats Domino resulted in a long list of classic recordings. Together the team wrote “I’m Walkin’,” ”Ain’t that a Shame,” “I’m in Love Again,” “Blue Monday,” and “Valley of Tears.” Equally impressive are his talents as arranger and bandleader. Over the years, he has cultivated the talents of legendary musicians including his drummer and life long friend Earl Palmer.
 

Irwin Berg has a million great stories, like the one when Glenn Miller ensured that his father not serve in the infantry during World War II, but instead, design and manufacture all the mutes for the Army Air Force band and those of the Navy bands as well. Irwin has since expanded the business to cover the globe, but, of course, they still offer those same mutes! His NAMM Oral History interview was completed on July 24, 2005. 

Lyle Bird grew up in a musical family with his mother playing the piano daily. As a teenager he played trumpet in several swing bands during the big band era including with such leaders as Henry Busse. He played in a band during his navy service during World War II and again played in several small bands after the war before being hired by the Sherman Clay Company. Lyle sold saxophones for a short time, long enough he would say in order to realize he wanted to sell pianos. He managed a Sherman Clay location in Walnut Creek, CA and trained on selling organs direct to the customers in their homes and was the first to bring stand-up organ players to the front of mall stores as a drive for customers.

Clora Bryant was billed as the female Louie Armstrong in the era of the Ed Sullivan variety show. Her raspy-voiced imitations were a big favorite among viewers but the gimmick often over- shadowed her incredible talents as a trumpeter. Most music lovers don’t like to think about how Clora had to struggle. Being a black female jazz musician was not easy and in some places it was impossible. In Los Angeles it was possible to play and not only did she play, she became a chief architect of the LA jazz sound beginning in the 1940s. She continued to perform until the 1990s and even after that still made personal appearances teaching younger audiences the value of expressing yourself through music.  

Murray Davison was a trumpet player who had a few gigs during the Big Band Era, but had to get a day job after the war. While he became a successful businessman, music was never far away. In the 1960s, he established the "Jazz at Noon" concert series in New York City and, a decade later, began writing jazz articles for publications. Murray was among the first to support the Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad, Calif., performing at the museum's opening day events in 2000 and providing countless lectures and special tours over the next five years before his passing.

Ronnie Drumm has had a full and fulfilling life in music! As a child he picked up the trumpet, which he used during his time as a big band leader, musical director and educator. Ronnie worked with a who’s who of entertainers such as Steve Allen, Bob Hope and Jack Benny as well as a long stint as musical director for the Ringling Brothers Circus. He opened his own music retail store, which his son, Rick Drumm, worked in a kid before becoming a leader within the music products industry. Ronnie is most proud of the teaching he did in both the school programs as well as private lessons, bringing the joy of music to young people.

David Ellis was greatly influenced by his father, Richard Ellis, the band director and music store founder. Growing up in the business, David developed a strong passion for music both as a retailer and as a player. In fact, the only two years David did not work for Ellis Music was when he was on the road as a professional trumpeter making music. David works alongside his two sisters in the store, which is located in Bethel, Vermont.