Trumpetmachine

Trumpetmachine was a multinational jazz-rock collective of trumpeters assembled by Swiss keyboardist/bandleader George Gruntz. They held multiple sessions in mid-1977, compiled on the 1978 MPS release For Flying Out Proud.

Members: Franco Ambrosetti (trumpet, flugelhorn), Jon Faddis (trumpet, flugelhorn), Palle Mikkelborg (trumpet, flugelhorn), Woody Shaw (trumpet, flugelhorn), Kenny Wheeler (trumpet, flugelhorn), Mike Zwerin (bass trumpet), George Gruntz (piano, electric piano, synthesizer, conductor), Isla Eckinger (bass), Daniel Humair (drums)

Background

Trumpetmachine formed as a studio ensemble in 1977 around an idea by Swiss trumpeter Franco Ambrosetti, with pianist George Gruntz directing the project for MPS.

Ambrosetti was born December 10, 1941, in Lugano, the son of saxophonist and bandleader Flavio Ambrosetti. He studied classical piano for nearly nine years and took up trumpet at seventeen. Gruntz joined the Flavio Ambrosetti All Stars in the mid-Fifties, establishing a musical association that later included Franco and drummer Daniel Humair.

At the 1971 Zürich Jazz Festival, Gruntz led an All Star Trumpet Workshop with Ambrosetti, Benny Bailey, Duško Gojković, and Art Farmer. Bassist Isla Eckinger played the same festival in the Gruntz-led International Festival All Stars. Eckinger studied trombone at the Basel Conservatory and taught himself double bass; from 1970 to 1976 he taught at the Swiss Jazz School. Humair moved from Geneva to Paris in 1958, where he played with Martial Solal and visiting American soloists.

In 1972, Gruntz, Humair, and the Ambrosettis established The Band, a third stream big band. Woody Shaw played on their MPS debut, The Alpine Power Plant, while Jon Faddis and Palle Mikkelborg appeared on their 1976 release Live at the Zürich Schauspielhaus. Faddis moved from Oakland to New York with Lionel Hampton in 1971 and soon became lead trumpeter in the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra. Mikkelborg joined the Danish Radiojazzgruppen in 1963 and led the ensemble from 1967 to 1970 for Danish Radio. Shaw recorded with Horace Silver and Art Blakey earlier in his career, then signed with Columbia through his association with Dexter Gordon.

Eckinger and Humair formed the Trumpetmachine backbone for Shaw, Faddis, Mikkelborg, Franco Ambrosetti, and fellow soloists Kenny Wheeler and Mike Zwerin.

Wheeler moved from Canada to Britain in 1952 and established himself in London orchestras and free-improvisation groups. He made the 1976 ECM albums Gnu High with Keith Jarrett, Dave Holland, and Jack DeJohnette. Zwerin played trombone with Miles Davis as a teenager and settled in Paris, where he juggled bass-trumpet engagements with journalism for the Village Voice.

Ambrosetti and Gruntz placed these established players in a six-trumpet format backed by keyboards, bass, and drums. From June 27–29, 1977, Trumpetmachine recorded eight pieces in Villingen, Germany, for MPS. The three-day session completed the material for For Flying Out Proud.

Discography:

• For Flying Out Proud (1978)

Sources

• George Gruntz official biography — the key source for the origin. The 1977 entry explicitly describes Trumpet Machine as a recording project “nach einer Idee von Franco Ambrosetti,” or based on an idea by Franco Ambrosetti. It also establishes the 1971 Gruntz/Ambrosetti big-band activity and the 1972 formation of The Band. (George Gruntz)
• George Gruntz official discography — dates the Trumpet Machine sessions to June 27–29, 1977, lists the complete personnel and eight compositions, and gives the MPS-Metronome issue as a 1978 LP. (George Gruntz)
• George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band discography — confirms Woody Shaw on The Alpine Power Plant in 1972 and Jon Faddis/Palle Mikkelborg on the Zürich Schauspielhaus recording in 1976, alongside Ambrosetti, Gruntz, and Humair. (George Gruntz)
• George Gruntz recordings archive — documents the 1971 Zürich All Star Trumpet Workshop and the International Festival All Stars with Isla Eckinger on bass. (George Gruntz)
• Franco Ambrosetti official biography — supplies Ambrosetti birth, family, early piano and trumpet history, university studies, and his long association with Gruntz and Humair. (Franco Ambrosetti)
• Swiss Jazz Discography II — independently confirms the June 27–29, 1977 Villingen session, complete lineup, track titles, and MPS catalog numbers. (Ordie Cole)
• SUNY Purchase — Jon Faddis — covers Faddis early trumpet training, Lionel Hampton engagement, move to New York, and Thad Jones/Mel Lewis tenure. (Purchase College)
• Dansk Biografisk Leksikon — Palle Mikkelborg — establishes his early trumpet activity, Radiojazzgruppen membership and leadership, and Radioens Big Band connection. (Dansk Biografisk Leksikon | Lex)
• Kenny Wheeler Music — covers Wheeler move to Britain and participation in the London orchestral and free-improvisation scenes. (Kenny Wheeler Music)
• Woody Shaw official site — establishes Shaw activity around Dexter Gordon and his Columbia contract. The Gruntz discography independently places Shaw in The Band several years earlier. (WOODYSHAW.COM)
• Swiss Jazzorama — Isla Eckinger — confirms his cello and trombone background, Basel Conservatory studies, self-taught double bass, and Swiss Jazz School teaching period. (Swiss Jazzorama)
• Laborie Jazz — Daniel Humair — covers Humair early Swiss activity and his move to Paris in 1958. (Laborie Jazz)
• Mike Zwerin obituary, The Guardian — confirms the Miles Davis engagement, move to Paris, instrumental roles, and parallel journalism career. (The Guardian)