KURT THOMPSON TRUMPET

Kurt Thompson plays rare, difficult, and iconic trumpet solos from the most celebrated and acclaimed trumpet players of all time.

 In addition to playing the most difficult trumpet solos of all time, Kurt Thompson specializes in helping trumpeters and brass players of all levels improve their embouchure, high range, tone, accuracy, power, and endurance.

 Kurt Thompson has performed many Maynard Ferguson trumpet solos and tribute concerts.

 Kurt performed and recorded Doc Severinsen's most difficult trumpet solo, "Macarthur Park", and Allen Vizzutti's most difficult trumpet solo, "ZigZag."

 Recently, Kurt recorded Chet Baker's "Almost Blue" both singing and playing trumpet ...just like Chet!

 Kurt has taught trumpet lessons to over 1500 individual trumpet players through the last few decades.

One new innovation from Kurt is the "Weekly" Lessons Series. These weekly lessons are segmented versions of the original full course. What makes these weekly versions exciting is being able to let the course PROVE itself to you and the minimal outlay of money to get involved as compared to the full course.

Kurt Thompson started playing trumpet officially in 5th grade. However, by the end of 6th grade, he was last chair and the worst trumpet player in the band. Kurt enjoyed school sports more at that time.

During the summer between 6th and 7th grade, Kurt got with a private instructor for the first time and his talent at trumpet became obvious when he actually made an effort. Kurt started 7th grade and by the Christmas concert was 1st chair. Kurt was first chair in almost every band from that point on.

Kurt auditioned and made 1st chair and/or solo trumpet at Tennessee All-State Band.

Kurt received a full music scholarship to Austin Peay State University where he became 1st chair in every music organization there. Kurt was known in college for his rendition of Maynard's “Gabriel”.

This video of Kurt was sent to Maynard in CA and also a copy was sent to NTSU. Kurt received a positive reply from Maynard regarding auditioning and was invited down to NTSU to meet Maynard and some other potential candidates at the university.

Kurt also tried out and made the lead trumpet chair (final in person audition pending) the Navy Commodores Jazz band (tentatively), but unfortunately was disqualified at his D.O.D. physical due to being too near-sighted.

Notwithstanding the last 20 years, Kurt has performed in too many bands to list here, but Broadway shows at Opryland U.S.A, Busch Gardens, King’s Island, Disneyland & United Way Trumpet Herald Rose Bowl Parade Band, Jazz clubs all over the United States: in LA Typhoon and Steamers, In Cincinnati The Blue Wisp, In Seattle and Tacoma Serafina, JazzBones, Tula’s, New Orlean’s Creole Restaurant, In San Francisco Senzala, Yoshi’s, Biscuit’s and Blues and many others!

In addition, numerous recording sessions in Nashville, Cincinnati, Seattle, plus live tours with The Jordanaires ( Neil Matthews and Gordon Stoker - Elvis' back up singers from when he first was on the Ed Sullivan Show).

Kurt currently teaches the #1 rated Brass embouchure improvement course sporting the most video and written reviews of all brass pedagogy methods.

Kurt is the founder and executive director of Trumpet Champions Inc.