Richard Boulger
From the very first time Richard Boulger heard the sound of a trumpet played by his father, Richard, Sr., in the basement of his family's North Adams, Massachusetts home, he knew that the trumpet was for him. It was his father who taught him the most important thing about playing the trumpet was to feel something while you play or, said another way, play from the soul.
Having spent his lifetime studying the art forms of playing the trumpet (along with a study with a who's-who list in jazz, contemporary music and the brass world), music composition, and improvisation, for Richard Boulger, music has come down to one word: HEART.
A former long-time, private student of trumpet legends Freddie Hubbard and Donald Byrd, Boulger has spent years developing his craft with the hopes of creating music that will touch the listener, invoke feelings and emotions, and even inspire.
He has recorded with such diverse Grammyaward-winning and world class artists as The Allman Brothers Band, Randy Brecker, "Joe," Little Louie Vega, Alex Foster, Victor Jones, Jeremih and many more. With his three highly-acclaimed, self-produced recording projects,"The Calling", "Blues Twilight" and "Lookin Up" , his fourth project is now in the works.
After many years of studying and teaching, Boulger is now creating a body of work that will help, and also challenge, other trumpeters and musicians with a new play-along series that includes "Long-Tone Meditations." The play-along series is based upon and inspired by Boulger's extensive studies with and ideas shared from the likes of Freddie Hubbard, Donald Byrd, Jackie Mclean, Ludmila Uhlehla, Richie Beirach, Ben Shwendener, Charlie Banacos, Jon Faddis, and many others. The goal of the new series is to encourage players to simplify what are often perceived as complex and difficult musical challenges, as well as help to build stronger technique and facility on one's instrument and to help players be able to perform with greater confidence and in so doing, be able to relax and say something through their horn.
When he is not playing the trumpet or recording, Richard is dedicated to working with inner-city children and is the founder and president of the non-profit organization, Brooklyn Music and Arts, Inc.
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"What I love about the TP608 is the wide range of sounds I’m able to play with the horn. This allows me to express my creativity and diversity as a player. I've had the pleasure of playing this horn these past few years in numerous settings, covering multiple styles, including many forms of Jazz, Big Band, Latin, R&B and Rock for both live performances and studio recording projects.This horn has the versatility to play the softest of ballads as well as plenty of power and projection to be heard above a section and as a soloist.”