New from Crystal Records
Crystal Records has released a new album from trumpet player John Holt. Facets Five: Recital Pieces is Holt’s eighth re-cording on Crystal. The title refers to another facet of his playing: recital pieces. Crystal President Peter Christ describes Holt as “one of the best trumpet players in the world today.” Holt is Professor of Trumpet and Brass Coodinator at the University of Texas and Principal Trumpet with the Dallas Opera Orchestra, a position he has held since 1989. The music on this album includes Eric Ewazen’s Trio for Trumpet, Violin and Piano and recital pieces by Pierre Gabaye, Eugene Bozza, Handel, Bruce Broughton, and more.
crystalrecords.com
MakeMusic Sight Reading Studio
A new program to help develop sight reading skills has been released by MakeMusic. Sight Reading Studio makes it easier to generate music based on a variety of parameters. The program allows musicians to play their generated pieces and receive feedback as they play along. The user can customize the music with control over keys, time signatures, rhythmic patterns and more. The program can create tuneful music for a single musician or an entire ensemble and is priced at $19.99 a year. makemusic.com
Pearl Scholarship Recipients
Pearl Corporation announced a new college scholarship, Musicians Making A Difference, awarding of two scholarships worth $5,000 to high school musicians who have produced change in their communities. Wendo Kimori started an NAACP Youth Council in her hometown of Lawrence, Kansas, and helped organize community meal days to combat food shortages for homeless shelters and women’s domestic violence centers. Kimori served as President of her school’s Pre-Med Club and Tri-M Music Honor Society. She will attend Washburn University.
Also recognized is Sam Bestge, a passionate musician and trombonist in Lake Park, Minnesota. For the past seven years, he has served his community through Sam’s Meals for Many, a service project that addresses food shortages during the holidays. The program has fed over 1,250 people over the last seven years and has raised over $143,000. Bestge will attend the University of North Dakota.
pearldrum.com
Hal Leonard Sax Release
Publisher Hal Leonard has released new saxophone books for its Omnibooks series. Available in Bb and Eb editions, the books feature 53 songs transcribed exactly from artist-recorded solos by jazz legends such as Cannonball Adderley, John Coltrane, Stan Getz, Charlie Parker and more. The books include a wide variety of songs including such jazz standards as All the Things You Are, Body and Soul, Lester Leaps In, and Mood Indigo. The books are a resource for players who want to learn and master the solos of the greatest musicians in jazz history. In addition to the transcribed solos, the book also include chord changes, melody lines, and other helpful information for beginners and experienced players alike. halleonard.com
SABIAN Mentorship Award
New Brunswick-based SABIAN has announced the creation of a new mentorship award in honor of Dom Famularo, one of the company’s longest-standing endorsers. The award aims to encourage and assist drummers at the start of their career. The award-winner receives a $2,500 grant and mentorship sessions with company executives, music industry veterans, and respected musicians including Tower of Power drummer David Garibaldi. Company President Andy Zildjian noted, “Dom was instrumental in helping us start the SABIAN Education Network, which continues to be a resource for all drummers.” Applications are made by video and form submission and can be submitted until Dec. 31, 2023. sabian.com