Just spent a day - till 0430 this morning - at the Scottish Salsa Congress held here in Edinburgh, which has been as much fun as you can have with your clothes on. My partner and I are now at the Improvers class level for Cuban Salsa and attending this feast of dancing was mind blowing. Apart from anything else listening to hours of extraordinary salsa horn playing is my idea of paradise. The range, power and articulation of the trumpets combined with the rich, creamy salsa trombone is wholly addictive.Try Johnny Bosch for a taste of the music - view the link below. 

My Practice and Study 2012
I’ve started my studies and practicing this year with some focus on David Bilger, who is Principal with the Philadelphia Orchestra, He is a featured artist on Play With A Pro and for a very reasonable cost you can download what is in effect a personal lesson with him on a whole range of trumpet related topics. Mr Bilger - apart from sounding fabulous - teaches the lessons with a clear structure that is simple to follow - for me that’s good. 

Still working away on Javier Gonzales lead pipe playing routines, which I find most beneficial - will record my progress to video soon.
Listening
There is a video trailer of James Morrison’s new big band album that shows clips of him recording the music on all the brass, saxophones, piano, guitar and double bass - it’s a Schagerl sponsored CD. I really don’t know anyone else who exhibits this virtuosity and versatility?