James Knabe † Trumpet/Shofar 🎺 Trumpet of Glory Ministries

Study the Trumpet with James

Private lessons+ Master Classes/Clinics

James earned his Master of Music in Trumpet Performance from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA. 

James earned his Bachelor of Music in Trumpet Performance at the School of Music at the University of Iowa in Iowa city, ia.

James is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association & resides in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. He travels extensively and also teaches in-person across the USA and online as well.

James' Principal Trumpet Teachers Include:

Charles Schlueter, Principal Trumpet, Boston Symphony Orchestra + Soloist

Peter Chapman, Trumpet Boston Symphony Orchestra/Boston Pops

Nello Salza, International Soloist & Italian Opera Trumpeter

David Greenhoe, Lake Placid Sinfonietta, Quad City Symphony

James' Teaching Experience Includes:

Online Video Trumpet Studio, USA, 2010-Present

TEXAS:

Rockwall, TX ISD 2022-Present ✪ Princeton, TX ISD 2022-Present

Fort Worth, TX  ISD:  2017-2021 ✪ Midlothian, TX  ISD: 2017-2021

Kennedale, TX ISD:  2017-2021 ✪ Mansfield, TX ISD:  2017-2020

Crowley, TX  ISD:  2017-2019 ✪ Saginaw, TX  ISD: 2016-2017

ILLINOIS:

Westlake Christian Academy, Grayslake, IL, 2011-2019 (Regular Guest Artist Studio)

Libertyville HS, Libertyville, IL, 2004-2011 ✪ Oswego HS, Oswego, IL, 2004-2011

Wheaton-Warrenville High School, Wheaton, IL, 2004-2007

Plainfield South High School, Plainfield, IL, 2004-2006

School for the Arts, Community Christian Church, Naperville IL, 2003-2005

MASSACHUSETTS:

School of Creative Arts, Grace Chapel, Lexington, MA, 1995-2002

Concord-Carlisle HS, Concord/Carlisle, MA, 1998-1999

South Shore Conservatory of Music, Hingham, MA, 1995-1997

Middleborough Public Schools Music Department, Middleborough, MA, 1995-1997

Trumpet Master Classes James has presented at Colleges and Universities including: 

Bellarmine University ✪ Butler University ✪ Campbellsville University ✪ Cedarville University ✪ Clemson University ✪ Coe College ✪ Eastern Illinois University ✪ Kennesaw State University ✪ Northern Kentucky University ✪ University of Iowa ✪ University of South Alabama ✪ Wake Forest University ✪ Wright State University

James' Teaching Philosophy:

Each student is approached as an individual artist. James will work with you to develop a successful approach to the trumpet and to music in general. James has written pedagogical articles & developed his own specialized studies. 

James' background includes Chicago/NY/Boston Schools and Styles of Classical and Foundational Trumpet Playing.  Some of the resources utilized include classical methods/studies from Arban, Schlossberg, Irons, Clarke, Bitsch, Charlier, Voxman, Voisin to Contemporary Studies and Etudes from Bai Lin, Maurice Andre, Ponzo, Cichowicz, and more.  

James also utilizes music from all major styles and genres of music including classical, jazz, rock/pop, broadway/movie music, gospel/christian, hip hop, and more giving students a wide variety of musical knowledge.

James also teaches multiple breathing methods including classic and wedge breath as well as his own specialized method for sight reading, multiple tonguing, range development, and musicality.

As a player who has successfully navigated many problems on the trumpet (including an embouchure change, bruised lips, early lack of rhythmic coordination, trouble with low & high range through his formative years, and much more), James can help you to work through your challenges and bring you to a place of breakthrough by offering innovative ideas to develop your range, sight reading skills, creative practice methods/ideas, better fluidity and ease of play, and more.

Resources for Trumpet Students:

Some top trumpet artists to listen to and study:

🎺 Jazz/Commercial Trumpet Players

1. Louis Armstrong

• Genre: Jazz

• Reputation: The godfather of jazz trumpet—his tone, phrasing, and improvisational genius revolutionized music itself.

2. Miles Davis

• Genre: Jazz (Cool Jazz, Modal, Fusion)

• Reputation: A visionary who reshaped jazz multiple times. Known for his subtle, lyrical style and pushing boundaries.

3. Dizzy Gillespie

• Genre: Bebop, Afro-Cuban Jazz

• Reputation: Known for his puffed cheeks, bent horn, and dazzling technique. A bebop pioneer and Latin jazz innovator.

4. Clifford Brown

• Genre: Hard Bop

• Reputation: Short life, massive legacy. Pure tone and melodic improvisation—an icon of grace and substance.

5. Wynton Marsalis (Hybrid Player-Jazz/Classical)

• Genre: Jazz & Classical

• Reputation: Modern trumpet titan. Virtuoso in both jazz and classical, and a major advocate for jazz education.

6. Chet Baker

• Genre: Cool Jazz

• Reputation: The “James Dean” of jazz trumpet. His fragile, melodic sound and haunting vocals made him a cool jazz legend.

7. Maynard Ferguson

• Genre: Jazz, Big Band

• Reputation: Famous for his stratospheric high notes and energetic big band work.

8. Freddie Hubbard

• Genre: Post-Bop, Fusion

• Reputation: Fiery technique and commanding tone. Played with everyone from Coltrane to Herbie Hancock.

9. Arturo Sandoval

• Genre: Latin Jazz, Classical

• Reputation: Cuban virtuoso known for blistering speed, power, and emotional depth. Protegé of Dizzy Gillespie.

  ————————————————————————————

🎺 Classical Trumpet Players

1. Maurice André 🇫🇷

• Repuation: The gold standard of classical trumpet. His work with the piccolo trumpet helped elevate the instrument in Baroque and modern classical music.

• Signature: Incredibly clean articulation, beautiful tone, and effortless high register.

2. Adolph "Bud" Herseth 🇺🇸

• Reputation: Legendary principal trumpet of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for over 50 years.

• Signature: Bold, brilliant orchestral playing—set the tone for American orchestral trumpet sound.

3. Håkan Hardenberger 🇸🇪

• Reputation: One of the most respected soloists alive today. Known for pushing the boundaries of modern trumpet repertoire.

• Signature: Flawless technique, interpretative depth, and commissioning new works.

4. Philip Smith 🇺🇸

• Reputation: Former principal trumpet of the New York Philharmonic, and a sought-after soloist and educator.

• Signature: Warm, singing tone and spiritual depth in performance.

5. Sergei Nakariakov 🇷🇺

• Reputation: Known as the “Paganini of the trumpet,” he transcribes violin and cello works for flugelhorn and trumpet.

• Signature: Astonishing technique and emotional expressiveness.

6. Timofei Dokschitzer 🇷🇺

• Reputation: Soviet-era legend who brought a highly expressive, vocal style to the trumpet.

• Signature: Romantic tone and incredible agility—especially in Russian repertoire.

7. Allan Vizzutti 🇺🇸

• Reputation: A true virtuoso equally comfortable in classical and jazz. Known for effortless technique and pyrotechnic skills.

• Signature: Stunning technical feats with a classical foundation.

8. Edward Carroll 🇺🇸

• Reputation: Renowned soloist and teacher, with deep musical insight and expressive power.

• Signature: Elegant, thoughtful interpretations and major influence as a pedagogue.

9. Alison Balsom 🇬🇧

• Reputation: A modern trumpet star with major solo and recording success, helping bring the trumpet to wider classical audiences.

• Signature: Stylish Baroque interpretations and charismatic performances.

  ———————————————————————————

🎺 Top 10 Natural (Baroque) Trumpet Players

1. Jean-François Madeuf 🇫🇷

• Reputation: A purist and leading authority on natural trumpet with no vent holes—true historical technique.

• Signature: Raw, authentic Baroque sound with historically accurate articulation and tuning.

2. David Staff 🇬🇧

• Reputation: Long-time principal with leading early music ensembles (like The English Concert).

• Signature: Warm tone, tasteful ornamentation, and perfect blend in ensembles.

3. Friedemann Immer 🇩🇪

• Reputation: Veteran performer and teacher of the Baroque trumpet; key figure in the natural trumpet revival.

• Signature: Clean playing with historically informed phrasing and articulation.

4. Kris Kwapis 🇺🇸

• Reputation: Active performer and scholar of historical trumpet technique in North America.

• Signature: Detailed interpretation, particularly in early American and European Baroque styles.

5. Barry Bauguess 🇺🇸

• Reputation: One of the top natural trumpet players in the U.S., performs with period ensembles nationwide.

• Signature: Elegant tone and deep stylistic understanding of 17th–18th century repertoire.

6. Niklas Eklund 🇸🇪

• Reputation: Though he plays modern trumpet too, he’s highly respected for historically informed natural trumpet playing.

• Signature: Virtuosity and bright, sparkling clarity on high Baroque works (e.g., Bach, Torelli).

7. Mark Bennett 🇬🇧

• Reputation: Baroque trumpet specialist active across Europe, often heard with groups like The Gabrieli Consort.

• Signature: Brilliant high register and clean ensemble playing.

8. John Thiessen 🇺🇸

• Reputation: Regularly performs with top American period ensembles like Philharmonia Baroque and Tafelmusik.

• Signature: Refined tone, and exceptional control in challenging works like Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 2.

9. Robert Farley 🇬🇧

• Reputation: Baroque trumpet player with The Hanover Band and English Baroque Soloists.

• Signature: Fluid phrasing and historically sensitive performance style.

Here are a few links to help you with cleaning and maintenance of your instrument:

All material, videos, photos, audio & original content © 2025 James Knabe/Knabe Trumpet Studio All Rights Reserved