He never got the recognition he deserved in jazz music. When people think of jazz trumpet players, they almost never mention Al Hirt, which is a shame. He was an amazing trumpet player. He was one of my favorite trumpeters.
As a kid watching LW I always felt a little bad for the trumpet section. They had to play with such restraint. Would have been fun to hear them really belt one out.
As a lifelong trumpeter I can tell you that he was a prodigy... shouldn't even use his name in the same breath as Herb Alpert who was an extremely limited pop trumpeter. Hirt could play anything... Search for Hirt on TH-cam.
While I agree that Hirt was a virtuoso on the trumpet and had a few pop hits during the 1960s, I MUCH prefer Herb Alpert’s beautiful, warm and emotive tone. Trivia: Alpert’s band outsold The Beatles and had more records on Billboard’s Top Ten than The Beatles at one point in the 1960s.
No need to smear another trumpet player in order to praise Al. Both men as well as Doc, Maynard and hundreds of others made good music and had careers that supported others with their trumpet playing. Herb is still making music and pleasing his fans as I am sure Al would have if he had lived longer.
He was untiring in his performances. I remember on night at Al's Place when the band went on break Al continued roaming around the room performing an outstanding tribute to Louis. When the band came back on he kept right up and did he next set. At the end of the show Al gave the band and the crowd the choice to stay for a jam session with a visiting friend, and in walked Pete Fountain and his band. A pretty long session came down right then.
I worked for Mr. Hirt in the early 80's. He was a class act then and always. I was a kid trumpet player (early 20's) when I had the pleasure of working with him. Believe you me, I was never so scared to take my trumpet out of its case for our first session. That guy could dust me with 1 valve...who needs three. Bottom line, a first class trumpet player and human being. He taught me how to play that darn piece of brass. Rest in Peace Mr. Hirt.
I remember being a fan of Al's back in high school in the early 80s and no one else including the band director seemed to even know who he was. I would have loved to have had a cell phone and youtube then to show them all what I was talking about! Thank you for posting this awesome performance!
Wow ,, that's some fast double and triple tounging .. his large hands make that horn look like a toy. He's got the large chest cavity size to really compress some volume of air.. fantastic ability, you can tell he loves playing that horn..😄
Then after that time period he switched to Leblanc. Their horns were made by Courtois in Paris. After his contract was up with Leblanc he stayed with Courtois till the end
I to was a Al Hirt fan UNTIL I watched part of a interview just before he passed. Made me sick, I can't recall ever hearing such vile, foul mouthedness before or since. He may have been a phenomenal technician but was a sorry human being. I desposed of ever recording I had..
After caring for our parents late in their lives, we found as others may that when the mind fades with age, new personalities can surface and we have to just deal with it as best we can. A notable exception though would be Jerry Lewis possessing a vile mouth thru out his life although he was an enigma with his massive support of charities.
Fluid, effort less technique, amazing tone and superb lyricism. One of my favorite trumpeters.
Masterful technique and one of the best sound/tone ever.
agreed!
I agree. No one could come close to Al Hirt. 🎺
Sounds, not sound
@@russellziske7385 The best sound/tone quality.
He never got the recognition he deserved in jazz music. When people think of jazz trumpet players, they almost never mention Al Hirt, which is a shame. He was an amazing trumpet player. He was one of my favorite trumpeters.
He was never a jazz player, & he repeatedly said that over the years. He characterized himself as a “pop commercial” musician.
@@rogerbergez That's news to considering his albums are under jazz and his early works are relatively jazz but whatever.
Al was a master and could play it all. He's the reason I wanted to learn to play trumpet...that was 54 years ago...and haven't looked back.
@@FiuranBand I agree. Louis Armstrong was the reason I wanted to play but I love Al Hirt's trumpet playing too.
Amazing trumpet sound and the double tonguing is superb.
Glad to see this uploaded again after a few years absence. Would also like to see the rest of this show again where Hirt plays with Pete Fountain.
As a kid watching LW I always felt a little bad for the trumpet section. They had to play with such restraint. Would have been fun to hear them really belt one out.
I know what you mean but they always sounded great. A little polite, but great.
Jumbo was great 👍
never saw this before. Thanks for u/ling. he was my LP mentor during all my trumpet playing years. long long ago. Rest in Peace Jumbo!
That's the youngest I've ever seen him he was a master of the horn
Complete command of the trumpet and more fluid than even Doc.
God's Gabriel is jealous of the king of the horn Al Hirt !
As a lifelong trumpeter I can tell you that he was a prodigy... shouldn't even use his name in the same breath as Herb Alpert who was an extremely limited pop trumpeter. Hirt could play anything... Search for Hirt on TH-cam.
While I agree that Hirt was a virtuoso on the trumpet and had a few pop hits during the 1960s, I MUCH prefer Herb Alpert’s beautiful, warm and emotive tone.
Trivia: Alpert’s band outsold The Beatles and had more records on Billboard’s Top Ten than The Beatles at one point in the 1960s.
Al Hirt, the greatest trumpeter that ever lived. Al was a genius musician. R.I.P. Al.
No need to smear another trumpet player in order to praise Al. Both men as well as Doc, Maynard and hundreds of others made good music and had careers that supported others with their trumpet playing. Herb is still making music and pleasing his fans as I am sure Al would have if he had lived longer.
Genius!!
The best horn man who ever lived, and there have been some great ones. None better than Mr. Hirt though.
WOW!
He was untiring in his performances. I remember on night at Al's Place when the band went on break Al continued roaming around the room performing an outstanding tribute to Louis. When the band came back on he kept right up and did he next set.
At the end of the show Al gave the band and the crowd the choice to stay for a jam session with a visiting friend, and in walked Pete Fountain and his band. A pretty long session came down right then.
I worked for Mr. Hirt in the early 80's. He was a class act then and always.
I was a kid trumpet player (early 20's) when I had the pleasure of working with him. Believe you me, I was never so scared to take my trumpet out of its case for our first session. That guy could dust me with 1 valve...who needs three.
Bottom line, a first class trumpet player and human being. He taught me how to play that darn piece of brass. Rest in Peace Mr. Hirt.
I remember being a fan of Al's back in high school in the early 80s and no one else including the band director seemed to even know who he was. I would have loved to have had a cell phone and youtube then to show them all what I was talking about! Thank you for posting this awesome performance!
Holy cow! Al was sure great!
Wow ,, that's some fast double and triple tounging .. his large hands make that horn look like a toy. He's got the large chest cavity size to really compress some volume of air.. fantastic ability, you can tell he loves playing that horn..😄
Technique, Musicality, Sensuality, it all adds up to the eventuality of...Al Hirt!
Night and day, you are the one..
Martin Committee, baby!
Didn’t Renold Schilke design that?
The Committee name refers to the committee of experts who designed it, but Schilke always claimed it was really a “committee of one.”
Wonderful Wonderful.
The Round Mound of Sound. 😊❤
Martin Committee.
Greatest horn player
Thats a Martin Committee Trumpet. Look at the trombone keys. Didn't know that he played one also.
Then after that time period he switched to Leblanc. Their horns were made by Courtois in Paris. After his contract was up with Leblanc he stayed with Courtois till the end
I to was a Al Hirt fan UNTIL I watched part of a interview just before he passed.
Made me sick, I can't recall ever hearing such vile, foul mouthedness before or since.
He may have been a phenomenal technician but was a sorry human being.
I desposed of ever recording I had..
wow! didnt know that of him. i would like to see this interview, maybe it`s on YT...
After caring for our parents late in their lives, we found as others may that when the mind fades with age, new personalities can surface and we have to just deal with it as best we can. A notable exception though would be Jerry Lewis possessing a vile mouth thru out his life although he was an enigma with his massive support of charities.
There's a video on YT of jazz drummer Buddy Rich cussing out his band mates. People cuss, that's just part of life.
Betty White had a shockingly foul mouth. I didn't like her because of it..