Dave Monette made it for him. According to Dave: "...quick story about making this instrument for Bobby in about 1980 or so. I had a Bach Bb trumpet I was not using, and I purchased a new Bach C trumpet and cut the second valve out if it, making that the 4th valve to divert to the second, lower muted bell. The lower bell was an old New York Bach bell that was patched and not in new condition, but I made it work."
I found this video maybe seven or so years ago, and every once in a while I find it again and become obsessed with it all over. I once spent an afternoon with bobby in his home studio. surreal experience.
Great Music played by some of the most talented guys of that time. Tony Richards on Drums. Sadly, only today, I've learned of his passing. I worked with Tony, helping to run his Music Shop in Wolverhampton, during the '70's. A true Musician and great drummer. RIP Tony. Looks like John McCulloch is playing Bass...another great session player and an old friend too. Is that Archie Cotterell on Piano? Bobby's playing...pure perfection as always.
Fantastic! Bobby Shew has played with just about everyone. If you've watched TV or gone to the movies in the past 20 years you would have heard him and not know it. His group with Gary Fuller on sax is amazing
Hello Shewgal. Just to say I had the privelidge of playing bass for your Dad in about 1985/7 (not me in this vid) he was a very nice chap, good fun and very professional. I still talk about that gig today, infact just tonight on a gig in Guernsey. " Breakfast with wine" cheers nigel
Bobby directed the All-State jazz band that I was a member of this past week, and he made it quite obvious to us that he had an amazing set of ears. We could sing a lick, and he'd play it back exactly the same, in the same key and everything. Not to mention his incredible embochure. I'm sure he just compensates for it with his lips.
I met him many years ago. His mother remarried a man named Shew. He adopted Bobby thus his invention became known as the Shewhorn. Bobby said he was very lucky .
Yes, 2 great clips by a fantastic player. I recorded these 20+ years ago from a lunchtime magazine programme on the BBC, Pebble Mill at one. These days all you get is the latest pop sensation miming to their latest single. Oh for the good old days........actually, at the time is was pretty unusual for something like this be on.
Its about the sound, not what hes actually doing to make it. AND if you have ever played a trumpet, or any brass instrumet, you would know it takes more air to get a good sound out of a mute, especially a harmon. So I say bravo Bobby, bravo.
Playing "wrong" or "right" is a very subjective thing. There are alternate methods to playing ANY instrument that may work very well for one player, but not another. Yes, in general we try to encourage young players to develop "proper" embrochures by not puffing their cheeks. Bobby is one of the world's greatest trumpet players, and has developed breathing techiques that are emulated by many other great players. Judge a player by what you hear, not by someone's opinion of what they do wrong.
@jjcantu86 He was a clinician for Getzen many years ago, it could have been made by them. He has been with Yamaha for quite a long time and they make Bobby Shew Signature Trumpet and Flugelhorn. Or it could be one of a kind made for Bobby by one of the many fine brass techs around he country.
Bobby had tons of extra trumpet piping sitting around his studio when he lived in Van Nuys. He could have made dozens of those things if he chose to. It's a cool experience to play a shewhorn. Especially when it's the exact same one as in the video. It was a privilege to be taught by such a genius.
@lclaughton LOL, who the hell are you to advise Bobby Shew?? I think it's pretty cool that he can trade phrases with him self, muted, and unmuted. It actually affords him a technique that is musical and engaging, I find. What's next, are you gonna go tell McCoy Tyner to work on his voicings?
i played an instrument at the taylor factory which was a flugel, with a trumpet and you pressed a fourth valve to alternate between the two much like the one played in this vid
Jazztpt Tell your dad "Hi" for me. He's such a gentleman and was loved by everyone at the Bud Shank Jazz camp. I was there fixing instruments and had the pleasure to be in one of his combos. I learned a lot from him and am very grateful 😊
