The Music And Professional Life Of Roger Ingram

Roger Ingram is a big name in the music industry. One of the most sought-after lead trumpet players, he has over 38 years of professional experience. Ingram has played for Jazz at Lincoln Center and has also led trumpet sections for big bands like Harry Connick Jr., Ray Charles, Woody Herman, and Maynard Ferguson. He is known for his distinct sound and his solid upper register chops.

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Ingram started playing the trumpet at the age of eight in 1965. He became associated with Hollywood’s finest players at a very young age. His skills improved while working with great music teachers like John Rinaldo (his mentor), Laroon Holt, Bud Brisbois, Bobby Shew, and Dan Jacobs, among many others. His professional career started at the tender age of 16, where he toured with the Louie Bellson Big Band. He soon joined the Quincy Jones Big Band the summer after his Bellson stint and toured with the Connie Stevens show for a pop act.

Ingram joined the Woody Herman Orchestra as the lead trumpet in 1985. He remained with the group until Herman’s death in 1987. He then co-lead his own band with Steve Elliott. In the ‘90s, Ingram joined the Harry Connick Jr. Band and recorded numerous albums with the team. He moved to New York after a few years and performed for various Broadway shows and recorded cast albums.

Aside from his brass playing expertise, Ingram is also an author and music educator. His textbook, “Clinical Notes on Trumpet Playing,” is available in 40 countries. It is a required reading for music majors in various colleges and universities worldwide. He is also currently teaching courses and lessons as well as traveling across the country as a in demand clinician for colleges and high schools.

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Learn more about jazz music greats like Roger Ingram by visiting this Vince Pettinelli blog.

A Peek At Duke’s Embarrassment Of Riches

The past season was quite a turnaround for the Blue Devils – and for their legion of fans – as they lost to an inspired Oregon team in the Sweet Sixteen of March Madness. It was a far cry from their previous year championship run.

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Even granting that Jahlil Okafor, the wunderkind operating on the block, left for the NBA, Duke still had a roster of veteran contributors and solid, reliable players, not to mention a top-2 pick in this year’s NBA draft in Brandon Ingram. But Coach K could not get the team revving to defend their championship, disappointing all season long in the ACC with losses even to unheralded teams. And then uninspired play booted them out of the NCAA Tournament.

Looking ahead though, Duke has all the reason to forget last season. With only three players graduating or NBA bound, many of the productive players are still with the team, and look to improve even more. And after a fruitful recruiting class, Grayson Allen, Amile Jefferson, and Luke Kennard are going to receive plenty of help.

The No. 1 ranked players from the frontcourt positions are all coming to town, with center Marques Bolden the last one to commit to Duke. He joins power forward Harry Giles and small forward Jayson Tatum, both of whom have already committed last year. The freshman list includes Frank Jackson, the No. 4 point guard and two solid rookies in Javin DeLaurier and Jack White.

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The Blue Devils suddenly have a loaded, deep roster. Turning last season’s disappointment into an embarrassment of riches, a look at the roster and the coaching staff makes Duke title favorites once again.

A veteran public school educator and professional musician, Vince Pettinelli also has a deep interest in sports. Know more about him by following his Facebook page.