Author: trumpetknox

If you watch Homeland, you’ve heard Chris Tedesco play trumpet. His other clients? Christina Aguilera, CeeLo Green, Oceans 12, & many more.  Nephew to legendary Hollywood studio guitarist Tommy Tedesco (The Wrecking Crew), Chris is a good friend and one of the most well-known & sought-after musicians in Hollywood & beyond.  Chris is the archetypal freelancer, a straight-shooter, and a music marketing guru.  If you freelance in any field, you’ll love listening to Chris talk business, survival, Hollywood, & more.  Visit ChrisTedesco.com or AngelCityMusic.com to contact & hire Chris and his groups, and hear more of his music.

Chris Tedesco w/ David Foster

Chris Tedesco w/ Bill Conti

Chris Tedesco w/ Simon Cowell

Chris Tedesco w/ Shakira

Chris Tedesco w/ Gil Johnson

X-Factor, The Voice, and American Idol. Marvin Gaye, B.B. King, and Bobby Blue Bland.  Multi-Woodwind Artist and Music Contractor Ernie Fields, Jr. has worked with all of these, and many more.  Celebrating a 60-plus-year career, he’s still one of the busiest Music Contractors in Hollywood today.

Ernie has worked in every area of the music industry, and his roots go back to the days when big band and jazz was Pop Music.  Originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Ernie, who is better known to his colleagues as “Kool Man Kool,” got his start playing and touring with his father’s famous Ernie Fields Orchestra in the 1940’s and 1950’s.  He’s as laid-back and kool as they come, and today I’m honored we get to talk to Ernie about his life and career in music.

Ernie and his jazz flute

Kool Man Kool

Ernie Fields Jr & Co.

Ernie Fields, Sr. & Band

with Ray Charles

Carl Saunders is “the best jazz trumpeter you’ve never heard.”  And if you have heard him, you might just stop at “the best.”  John Williams, Stan Kenton, Benny Goodman, Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme, Tony Bennett — Carl has performed and/or recorded with all of them and more.  Now with 4 jaw-dropping solo albums of his own, all available on iTunes and wherever music is streamed or sold, he’s also focused on recording most if not all of the 300+ songs he’s composed over the years, which are available in his new book entitled NEW JAZZ STANDARDS, available on www.CarlSaunders.com right now.  He’s become a friend and musical mentor of mine, so without further ado….

young Carl Saunders

Carl Saunders composing

Carl Saunders composing some more

Carl Saunders & Knox

Bob Wilson is a Grammy-nominated drummer, songwriter, and a founding member of the band SeaWind whose sound defined an era of jazz fusion in the 70’s-80’s.  They were also the precursor to the Jerry Hey Horns, who have set the bar for rhythm and horn section studio recording for generations.  Bob later toured with Billy & Franklin Graham for over 10 years and is currently a producer with wildly successful music software company Spectrasonics, whose products Omnisphere, Stylus, Keyscape, and more are used every day by A-List music producers and film, tv, and, game composers. He’s got some wonderful stories and advice… here’s Bob Wilson.

MY FIRST GUEST IS MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST, VOCALIST, PRODUCER, SONGWRITER, COMPOSER SCOTT MAYO.  EARTH WIND AND FIRE, DANCING WITH THE STARS, THE EMMY AWARDS, SERGIO MENDES, QUEEN LATIFAH, THE B.E.T. AWARDS…. THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE DIVERSE ACTS SCOTT’S BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH OVER THE YEARS.  IT’S MY HONOR TO CALL HIM A FRIEND OF MINE, AND I’M GRATEFUL HE COULD JOIN ME FOR THE VERY FIRST EPISODE OF KNOXCAST