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Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture > Video Oral History Gallery Video Gallery Cataloging Data: Jon FaddisLocation Schomburg-MIRS Call # Sc Visual VRA-187 Service copy. Sc Visual VRB-2020 Original of: Sc Visual VRA-187. Author Faddis, Jon, interviewee. Title Oral history interview with Jon Faddis, 20 August 1993 [videorecording] / interviewer, Jimmy Owens. Imprint 1993 Description 2 videocassettes (2hr., 7 min.) : sd., col. ; 1/2 in. 020700 Note Title supplied; duration: 2 hr., 7 min. Credits Produced and directed by James Briggs Murray. Note Faddis performs excerpts, mainly to demonstrate technique on trumpet. Recorded on August 20, 1993, at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project. Summary The oral history interview with Jon Faddis, jazz trumpeter, begins with his audition directly after high school for the Lionel Hampton Band; then backtracks to his childhood. Born July 24, 1953, in Oakland, California, Faddis began private trumpet lessons with John Lambert and began playing in the school band at age 7. From ages 10 - 16, Faddis studied with Bill Catalano who turned him onto Dizzy Gillespie and helped him with his range in the higher registers. By 7th or 8th grade, Faddis was playing high F's, studying Dizzy's solos along with Louis Armstrong's music, and was concentrating on speed and technique. Later Faddis studied improvisation, chord symbols, and basic theory with Bill Atwood. Faddis recalls meeting Dizzy for the first time at Basin Street West, later at the Monterey Jazz Festival and the Jazz Workshop where he actually got to play with Dizzy on stage. His main influences at this point: Dizzy, Bill Chasin, Snookie Young; his main concern: achieving a sound that could cut through a big band. Faddis describes the method he used to learn difficult passages off of records and about his brief time at the Manhattan School of Music while playing with Thad Lewis. Faddis elaborates further on his childhood, parents, siblings and explains how music always had the ability to change his moods. A highlight of his earlier career was when Dizzy came to hear him play with Charles Mingus at the Village Vanguard. Faddis goes on to describe his friendship with Dizzy and recalls some events herein. 1970-72, Faddis was active in studio work and recording. In 1976, he made his first recording as leader on Youngblood. Faddis married in the mid 1970's and turned down an offer from Norman Granz who wanted to book a tour for him. Also during this period he worked in the studio with Quincy Jones on The Wiz, with Frank Sinatra and the N.Y. Jazz Repertoire Co., played with Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Art Blakey, Charles Mingus and Gil Evans; was maintaining his chops, keeping technique together and practicing chromatics. He attributes his facility in the upper registers to listening to Dizzy and Roy Eldridge playing together on Limehouse Blues and Found a New Baby. Early 1980's, Faddis started a quintet, got out more playing his own music and tried to develop his style further. 1985, he recorded Legacy which paid tribute to trumpet heroes. Faddis was also learning the business side to the music industry; he tells about starting his own publishing company although he still has a booking agent. He strongly encourages younger musicians to learn the business side of the industry. At present Faddis is composing and talks about writing War and Peace. He is currently musical director of the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band and describes what it entails, the current season's lineup and what he strives for as musical director: precision yet looseness with the music and band. He continues talking about his quartet (formerly a quintet), states that he plays clubs occasionally, does lectures and clinics, has appeared in a commercial for Jeep Eagle Vision, performed recently in a jazz festival in Japan. Faddis gives a sampling of a rap song he wrote for Dizzy to perform which was recorded on the Hornucopia Label. Faddis' aspirations: to learn more about piano, composing and arranging; mentions that he is currently working on a jazz opera. He makes his last comments on Dizzy and tells about the last visit with him before his death. Faddis concludes the interview with a humorous anecdote relating to his vegetarianism along with two jokes. Note Reproduction. Originally produced: New York, N.Y. : Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library, 1993. 2 videocassettes; 1/2 in. (MII). VHS. Use terms Permission required to cite, quote and reproduce; contact repository for information. Biography/History Jon Faddis is a jazz trumpeter, composer and arranger. Born July 21, 1953 in Oakland, California, Faddis began playing trumpet at age 7. His carrer took off after high school when he moved to New York City and became well known for his range in the upper registers; has performed and recorded extensively. Currently Faddis is musical director of the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, performs with his quartet, does lectures and clinics, is composing and arranging as well. Note Forms part of: Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project. In Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project Subject Armstrong, Louis, 1900-1971 -- Influence. Eldridge, Roy -- Influence. Faddis, Jon -- Childhood and Youth. Faddis, Jon -- Interviews. Faddis, Jon War and Peace. Gillespie, Dizzy, 1917- -- Influence. Gillespie, Dizzy. Jones, Quincy The Wiz. Mingus, Charles. Carnegie Hall Jazz Band. Jon Faddis Quartet. Afro-American composers. Afro-American musicians. Jazz musicians -- United States -- Interviews. Music -- Publishing. Musicians -- Taxation -- Law and legislation. Trumpet -- Studies and Exercises (Jazz). Trumpet players -- United States -- Interviews. Form/genre Biographies. Interviews. Additional name Owens, Jimmy, interviewer. Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project. Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Donor The Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project was funded by the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, Inc. |