Remembering Al Hirt

JensenW · Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 5:01 pm Post subject: Remembering Al Hirt

I had several LPs (Long Play Albums for those younger readers) of Al Hirt when I was a kid. Needless to say, I was a fan. I ran across this on recording on youtube. Mr. Hirt didn't have time to use techniques such as vibrato, he was moving so fast:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UC1aJrQ0Y2c

_________________
Wade
Yamaha YTR 737

The goal is to be a better trumpeter today than I was yesterday.

blbaumgarn · Heavyweight Member Joined: 26 Jul 2017 Posts: 705

I had three albums and tried wearing them out I suppose they still reside with one of my brothers as they have all the old LPs. Quite a showman and always having fun playing. My mom and dad loved him too, as he used to appear on the late night talk shows quite a bit. Great memories, sir!!
_________________
"There are two sides to a trumpeter's personality,
there is one that lives to lay waste to woodwinds and strings, leaving them lie blue and lifeless along a swath of destruction that is a
trumpeter's fury-then there is the dark side!" Irving Bush

deleted_user_02066fd · New Member Joined: 03 Apr 1996 Posts: 0

Al was the first well known trumpeter I heard in person. I saw him in 71 after my freshman year in high school at Oakdale Theater in Wallingford Ct. It was a tented outdoor type place. Pure jazz people may criticize his playing but he was a fabulous trumpeter. He had a great sense of humor as well.
What a display of fabulous technique and his power was amazing. He frequently played off the mic and I could hear him as clear as a bell. He also played The Carnival Of Venice unaccompanied.
I remember running out to the hallway to meet him as he was walking back to his dressing room for intermission. I got nervous and my voice cracked as I called out his name. My lifelong best friend was with me and always busted my chops about that. Al walked over and said, hey, how ya doin in that NOLA drawl. He stuck his hand out and shook my hand. His hands were like a catchers mitt. He was an enormous man, easy to see how he got the nickname Jumbo. I never forgot that. A very cool guy.

rothman · Veteran Member Joined: 23 Jan 2014 Posts: 329

An album not really praised or mentioned much, being more of a 1968 pop release, seems pretty underrated..in light of 1) as nice an overall sound as the instrument allows 2) vibrato of tight width (opposite HJ) done flawlessly 3) lyrical type of phrasing that in all liklihood can't be taught.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diVlUk8kt2I

JensenW · Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2020 4:51 pm Post subject:

Rothman, good comments. I never had that particular album, but yes it is very lyrical, and yes, the vibrato is subtle, and flawlessly executed. Not sure if it is a tuba or a euphonium in the bass line, but the other instruments add to the overall piece as well. Overall, a very nice recording. Thanks!
_________________
Wade
Yamaha YTR 737

The goal is to be a better trumpeter today than I was yesterday.

Robert P · Heavyweight Member Joined: 28 Feb 2013 Posts: 2596

GeorgeB · Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2020 6:30 am Post subject:

I have most of his lp albums. He was and still is a big favorite of mine. I, too, was fortunate enough to meet him at his club in New Orleans. Very friendly and a huge pair of hands that made my hand disappear when we shook.
_________________
GeorgeB
1960s King Super 20 Silversonic
2016 Manchester Brass Custom
1938-39 Olds Recording
1942 Buescher 400 Bb trumpet
1952 Selmer Paris 21 B
1999 Conn Vintage One B flat trumpet
2020 Getzen 490 Bb
1962 Conn Victor 5A cornet

rothman · Veteran Member Joined: 23 Jan 2014 Posts: 329

MrOlds · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2020 7:17 pm Post subject:

I’m fuzzy on the dates but sometime in the mid 70s my college big band played some something at the then-new New Orleans Convention Center. We were provided a room downstairs to have a full band warmup-rehearsal which sounded good to us kids.

In the next room was a trumpet player warming up while we were rehearsing. After a few minutes of typical warmup stuff he plays an A above high C that was the biggest, loudest thing I’d ever heard. And in those days Maynard was everywhere, and I’d seen Doc, and whoever was in Woody’s band at the time and been to a Kenton summer clinic. This A was voice-of-god phenomenal.

After we finished our rehearsal I walked (ran) over to the next room to find Al Hirt just doing trumpet player stuff at such a high level I will never forget.

In some ways the stuff he did on stage was maybe 60% of what he was about.

Subtropical and Subpar · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2020 9:57 pm Post subject:

Al Hirt did a wonderful and wonderfully unique arrangement of Carnival of Venice on the album "Pops Goes the Trumpet" with Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops. Very playful, the variations are unique, and the Pops goes through several styles of accompaniment, from a march to an homage to Barber of Seville. It would be a great piece for a talented college band but I've never seen anyone else play this variant of Venice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPEjdd_CKho
_________________
1932 King Silvertone cornet
1936 King Liberty No. 2 trumpet
1958 Reynolds Contempora 44-M "Renascence" C
1962 Reynolds Argenta LB trumpet
1965 Conn 38A
1995 Bach LR18072
2003 Kanstul 991
2011 Schilke P5-4 B/G
2021 Manchester Brass flugel

trumpetteacher1 · Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2020 8:39 am Post subject:

Craig Swartz · Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2020 12:34 pm Post subject:

I got a 45 rpm copy of "Java" when I was in 6th grade or so and learned it by ear. (Flip side was "I Can't Get Started") My parents would have me play along with the recording when friends came over. Older bro and I did likewise with all the Herb Alpert/TJB stuff.

We didn't need no steenkin' music...

so what · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2020 6:10 am Post subject: Re: Remembering Al Hirt

marathoner · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2020 1:39 pm Post subject:

Growing up in Suburban Chicago I listened to Al Hirt albums all the time. One thing that struck me though (while I was in High School) was reading a review on one of Al Hirt's albums by a Chicago Sun Times (now defunct) "Arts" columnist. He wrote "Any high school trumpet player with a decent embouchure is able to do any of these songs". I think he hated the album and I remember thinking , "I'm decent" but I can't come close to anything he did ! Sounded like a personal vendetta !

Robert P · Heavyweight Member Joined: 28 Feb 2013 Posts: 2596

Ronnman · Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2020 4:52 pm Post subject:

I grew up in New Orleans and surrounding suburbs and remember listening to Al Hirt since the debut of Java. It was played on the local radio stations at least once per hour. This was about the time I started playing trumpet. His larger than life sound and ability had a considerable influence in why I chose to play trumpet. I agree with all the comments mentioned above. His sound was a big as he was. The press down here did not undermine his playing ability. Big Al, Pete Fountain, and Louis were considered legends by most music lovers in the area. I remember listening to Al while many friends were listening to hard rock. I just could not get into the hard rock. Playing trumpet in middle and high school, if I had came across the album “Horn a Plenty”, I probably would have just quit playing. I can still remember him playing the Green Hornet theme. The first time I heard it on TV, I knew it was Al Hirt playing. I had most of his albums, even a country album. I believe Chet Atkins encouraged Al to record this album. One challenging track is the Orange Blossum Special, link below.
Ron

https://youtu.be/R6-vhXA--h0
_________________
Martin Committee #2 1954
Leblanc “Al Hirt” Model 1966
Olds Custom Crafted Ultra Sonic 1974
Edwards Gen II 2014

Robert P · Heavyweight Member Joined: 28 Feb 2013 Posts: 2596

Ronnman · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2020 4:05 pm Post subject:

Robert P - either 1969 or 1970.
Ron
_________________
Martin Committee #2 1954
Leblanc “Al Hirt” Model 1966
Olds Custom Crafted Ultra Sonic 1974
Edwards Gen II 2014

Tony Scodwell · Heavyweight Member Joined: 17 Oct 2005 Posts: 1961

Concerning "Jumbo", the guy was on another level from most players. RCA did to him what major labels always seem to do and that is lower his amazing talent down to a pedestrian level. I'm sure he didn't mind the loot tunes like "Java" brought in but to diminish his talent like some of the reviews written, well what can you say about critics that most knowledgable musicians don't already know?

There was a Spa-hotel here in Las Vegas some time ago (mid-seventies) and a guy hired a big band to play for entertainment and dancing. I was hired to play lead along with two other good players who have worked together with me. The book was written with four trumpet parts and I asked who was hired to play the fourth book. "Not to worry" was the answer. When we all were on the stand getting ready to start who shows up but Al Hirt. I introduced myself and Al just said he was there to play fourth trumpet. "Like Hell" I said and persuaded him to play whatever solos were in the book. His son was with him and I showed him my "famous" drinking mute. When his son showed it to Al I was proud to present one to him. Why the guy had hired Al Hirt in the first place was always a mystery to me, and on fourth trumpet.

Tony Scodwell
www.scodwellusa.com

delano · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2020 8:32 am Post subject: Re: Al Hirt