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I just had the privelege of hearing Joe Alessi play at UGA today. It was, without hesitation, the best brass playing I have ever heard. I'm not sure if it was the five octave mid-range, the effortless music making, the FLAWLESS intonation, or the general overall perfection that made the biggest impression on me. It was beautiful in every way. I'm awestruck.

I now have a clearer image of why some players make it to the show and others of us are destined for Triple A.

Back to the practice room!

Dave "who feels a little bit like Crash Davis, without the benefit of Susan Sarandon" Zerkel

Joe Alessi is a monster player and musician! His soft playing in the high register is astounding.

As an undergraduate student, I made the mistake of asking him how loudly he would play Zarathustra on an audition.

From 10 feet away, he played the excerpt down.

It was so clean and pure that I could not tell how loudly he was playing - - - except for the fact that my head was about to split open from the sound.

What all did he play at UGA ?

It was an abbreviated program, as we are only borrowing from his main commitment in GA this week at Emory University.

He played the St. Saens Cavatine, a beautiful duo with Colin Williams (Principal Trombone of the ASO, and one of his former students) and a Theme and Vairations on an aria from La Traviata. Later, he played an arrangement by Sammy Nestico of Georgia on My Mind for trombone ensemble.

It wasn't what he played, rather how he played it. He could have played variations on Hot Cross Buns and I'd still be knocked out.

It is definitely posts like these that have me thankful I live in the NYC area. I am fortunate enough to here Joe alessi play several times a year with the NY Phil.... and will have the opportunity to accompany him for the second time with a community band I play in. He is truly an amazing person. As Dave said....it's not what he plays rather how he plays it . I think anyone who plays a musical instrument should be required to hear Joe Alessi play. I think he is truly one of the great musicians of our time.

He played at the TUSAB Trombone Conference a couple of years ago and I made a point to catch him. He has a powerful presence to his sound and style which can't be ignored. I also heard the assistant principal of the NYP at that conference and he was also remarkable.

It is little wonder why his students do so well at winning jobs when they have that role model to listen to play every week.