Episode 78: Hanging With Brad Mason

My guest for this episode is Brad Mason.

Brad is all about balance. Whether it’s in his role as the lead trumpet and Musical Director for the legendary Blood Sweat & Tears, co-leading the Mason Brothers Quintet with his brother Elliot, or teaching trumpet at Northwestern University, Brad strives to find the balance of honoring the history and tradition of our trumpet lineage with the need to develop an updated approach to the technique and creativity needed in the world of modern music. Plus, he knows how to rock the facial hair.

Check out what Brad has to say about developing his work ethic, life at Berkley, finding inspiration from others, inspiring your bandmates, honoring the legacy of Blood Sweat & Tears, personal influences and inspirations, learning the language of the trumpet, thinking outside the box, getting and keeping a gig, the importance of a mental warm-up, listening for stylistic differences, creating the BS&T sound, the joys of working with his brother, being a team player, and so much more!

So pour yourself a big glass, pull up a chair, and let the hang begin!
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All things Brad: https://www.bradmasonmusic.com/
The official Blood Sweat & Tears homepage: https://bloodsweatandtears.com/
Sound like a million bucks without breaking the bank with Barkley Microphones: http://barkleymic.com/
Let Vennture Mouthpieces help you on your search for the perfect mouthpiece. Use the code "TRUMPETGURUS21" to get 10% off your purchase: https://www.vennture.mp/
If you play hard, you need to make sure you show your chops some love with Robinson's Remedies products: bit.ly/ChopLove
Let Jose help you master your mental game: bit.ly/MindfulnessSecrets

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Chapters

00:00:00 Intro
00:02:44 Developing his work ethic
00:06:30 Life at Berkley
00:10:03 Finding inspiration from others
00:11:57 Inspiring your bandmates
00:18:11 Honoring the legacy of Blood Sweat & Tears
00:21:04 Personal influences and inspirations
00:29:26 Learning the language of the trumpet
00:36:48 Thinking outside the box
00:41:00 Getting and keeping a gig
00:47:51 The importance of a mental warm-up
00:54:12 Listening for stylistic differences
00:57:32 Creating the BS&T sound
01:02:32 The joys of working with his brother
01:06:31 Being a team player
01:08:05 Sound Off!
01:12:45 Geared Up
01:21:48 Rapid Fire Round