The Spur

“…It’s Transformational.” Mossman Performs With the SMSU Jazz Ensemble

April 3, 2012
Filed under A&E

Michael Philip Mossman, jazz trumpet/trombone player, performed alongside the Southwest Minnesota State University Jazz Ensemble as a part of the music department’s Guest Artist Series.
The performances were held on Monday, March 26 and Tuesday, March 27 at the Redwood Falls High School and Marshall Middle School, respectively, along with the high school jazz groups from both schools.
The songs performed by the ensemble included “It’s Only a Paper Moon,” “Fly Me to the Moon” and “Beneath an Orange Moon.”     The songs performed with Mossman included “Dance of Denial,” “Tanganova, Una Mas” and “The Chacha What Gotcha.”
Mossman’s visit included a clinic with the high school jazz groups and also rehearsals with the SMSU Jazz Ensemble members.
“Playing an instrument… it’s transformational,” Mossman said in a rehearsal with the brass unit of the SMSU Jazz Ensemble.
Each group had the opportunity to play with Mossman as well as being able to discuss jazz techniques. In these discussions, Mossman discussed not only jazz techniques, but his experiences growing up in the world of jazz.
Mossman learned to play growing up by listening to the radio. He eventually learned to read music at the age of 16. He graduated from the Oberlin Conservatory in Ohio with degrees in Sociology/Anthropology and Orchestral Trumpet and Jazz composition. He has toured with several jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie, Gerry Mulligan, and Benny Carter and also with several orchestras.
He has been a key performer in latin jazz, performing with Tito Puente, Ray Barretto, Daniel Ponce and more.
He believes that if you like something enough, you can learn from it.
“Find something you like and imitate it…then you are on your way to becoming a great player,” Mossman said.