Rafael Mendez Recordings on CDs ?
Ken Christianson
writes:
>Anyone here know of any Mendez CDs ?
Hi Jerry - You can get Rafael Mendez CD recordings from Summit Records
PO Box 26850, Tempe Arizona 85285. They have a toll free
#:800-543-5156 and take VISA and MC. I have only one CD so far, "The
Legendary Trumpet Virtuosity of RM - Volume 1" and that is where I got
this information.
Interestingly enough the exe. producers of the album are Drs Robert
Mendez, MD and Rafael G. Mendez, Jr., MD. Let me just say that you
ain't heard no good trumpet playing until you heard the THREE Mendez's
playing together (though you won't on this recording) ! Its like those
three singers that go together and caused such a ruckus a couple of
years ago <G>. My old teacher Larry Collins in Burbank, Calif. was a
good friend of the family.
They also have on the liner notes, a mention of a bio "The
Magnificient Mendez" (did you know that he was Pancho Villa's
cornetist?) and a VHS tape.
Referred to also is a source of band and orchestra scores/parts for
sale through MotherLode Music, PO Box 110, Jamestown, Ca 95327 for
some of the music that is on the CD I mentioned above.
I have no connection to any of these places, just providing info so
that the you other "prune-lips" might have a chance to enjoy some
REALLY extraordinary playing.
Enjoy!!
Ken Christianson
Glendale, California
Richard M. Stuemke
Mendez was a trumpet god. I have never heard any better!!!!
man oh mn, could he double tongue and triple tongue!!!
--
/////////////////
Rich Stuemke
laudate eum in clangore bucinae
Jerry Leslie
: In <4f4583$d...@lurch.sccsi.com> jle...@dmccorp.com (Jerry Leslie)
: writes:
Thanks Ken, you've made my month (longer "Thank-you" emailed) !!!
I think I still have the LP of the three Mendez's; "awesome" doesn't
come close to describing it.
I knew about Mendez playing for Pancho Villa. When Mendez first moved to
L.A., he couldn't find work as a musician, so worked in one of the aircraft
factories. Wonder if anyone's considered writing a biography of Mendez ?
I'll also drop an email to the local classical radio station, suggesting
they add the CDs to their library.
--Jerry,
Gerald (Jerry) R. Leslie jle...@dmccorp.com gle...@isvsrv.enet.dec.com
Dynamic Matrix Control Corporation (my opinions are my own)
Richard M. Stuemke
...deleted...
>
>
> Thanks Ken, you've made my month (longer "Thank-you" emailed) !!!
>
> I think I still have the LP of the three Mendez's; "awesome" doesn't
> come close to describing it.
>
> I knew about Mendez playing for Pancho Villa. When Mendez first moved to
> L.A., he couldn't find work as a musician, so worked in one of the aircraft
> factories. Wonder if anyone's considered writing a biography of Mendez ?
>
> I'll also drop an email to the local classical radio station, suggesting
> they add the CDs to their library.
>
> --Jerry,
>
> Gerald (Jerry) R. Leslie jle...@dmccorp.com gle...@isvsrv.enet.dec.com
> Dynamic Matrix Control Corporation (my opinions are my own)
There is a bio available from Summit Brass (check out Mendez on the
Trumpet Player Online/Trumpet Players/Rafael Mendez). It gives ordering info.
I just read it. I ordered it from the library through interlibrary load
for free, since the book costs about $23.00, which is WAY overpriced for
its size. The book is excellent and gives interesting insight into the
virtuoso magician of the trumpet. Also, gives some playing hints. I have
five of the old Decca Mendez LP's and just completed copying them all to
tape. Word from Summit is that the Mendez sons plan on releasing all of
Rafael Mendez's recordings on CD. I can't wait!!!! Mendez was phenomenal.
But here is an interesting fact from the book- the old Decca recordings
were made after Mendez had suffered asthma problems and was in decline in
his playing ability. After listening to these recordings I can not
imagine what this wonderful musician played like whe he was in his prime.
These recordings are AWESOME!!!!!!
Finn Ingbretsen
> .....Wonder if anyone's considered writing a biography of Mendez ?
>
The Mendez biography is availlable:
Drs. jane W. Hickman and Delon-Lyren: Magnificent Mendez - a biography
Summit Books 1994