Virgil Reality GigsA selection of gigs that I'll be playing Trumpet at:- I have put them in this handy table. Click Here for Gig Information
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MusicMP3 Player - Trumpet WorkHear Virgil Reality play the trumpet. Click on any track listed here and it will stream you an MP3. Check out some reviews Click HERE Trumpet PlayingMy Dad played trumpet in the Air Force band at the end of World War II. He loved and still does love Jazz Music. He has a great collection of music and I have listened to some really fantastic and rare stuff as I was growing up. It has given me a love of the music more than the individual instruments. For me trumpet playing is a passport in getting to explore, play and record with other composers, performers and friends.
When the opportunity arose for my brother and I to learn at primary school, Dad pushed us into it. I wasn't really that keen though I kind of took to it. I played in the local brass bands and concert bands and then the youth orchestra and the local 20 piece big band amongst others.
At 17 I joined my first rock band “Plan B” playing their own shows and as support band for artists such as John English, Goanna, Eurogliders, John Swan, Mick Fleetwood, Sharon O’Neill and Pseudo Echo. I did this while I studied music.
From this I got session gigs to play in the horn sections on stage for one off sessions with some of the touring bands. Highlights were getting to play with Midnight Oil and Goanna two of my favourite bands at the time.
I moved into the comedy cabaret scene and played a character “Don Polski” (named after the Dom Polski centre in Adelaide) in Pluto in Paris and later with Spank you Very Much and then with The Cockroach Club. During this time I also wrote music for the play “The Tragical History of Dr Faustus” with Patrick (a trombone friend) being performed by the La Mama theatre company and did the occasional orchestra gig. My Trombone Playing friend Patrick and I also used to hock ourselves out as a horn section for local and touring acts. We also provided backing for studio recordings and for ads.
I went touring with Club Ska playing some of the best and worst gigs the country has to offer. A stint of booze, broads and ska where I picked up the nickname 'Stag'. You work it out.
Now I love music more than ever and enjoy playing with local Sydney groups including the John Hardaker Direction, El Duende, Richard Madden, Men from Uncle and others. I play a lot with DJs and I am really exploring this further so if you are a DJ definitely contact me for a gig. I'm also doing recordings at some of the local studios and basically meeting and playing with some great people and friends.
If you have a gig in mind or just a jump on stage event, let me know I just love to play. Contact Me:If you would like me to do some trumpet playing: CLICK HERE |
Instruments/StylesI play Trumpet mostly and also my Purple Flugelhorn and the Bb Baritone (Euphonium). I write music, arrange horn parts and ensemble arrangements and will be recording some of my own music later in year. I've played all styles of music though currently I like playing with DJs and Jazz Improvisation. I currently gig with Indie Band 'El Duende' and jazz it up with the John Hardaker Direction amongst others. I do DJ Sets with the OmegaMan, DJ Jase and Driller at Sugar in Adelaide when I go see mum and dad. I'm always looking to do new things as I just love to play. I'm always looking to do more in the studio and live so give me a bell on 0405 129 049. Have a listen to me play (left). YouTube
Check out my new Band Notes
The John Hardaker DirectionJohn Hardaker is a very groovy guy and Guitar player with this fantastic Jazz lineup that I also ran into through the Drum Media magazine. After meeting up with John one night, he asked me to do a gig with the Band at the Cat and Fiddle in Balmain. I did a rehearsal with John, Dom, Hans and Justin and then a week later we did the gig. These guys really cook so it's the sort of gig that keeps you on your toes and as it turned out they are all top blokes. I'm really looking forward to gigs this year (2009) after a successful 2008. John uses a floating population of musicians and I've met and played with some great people. Check out the John Hardaker Direction MySpace Page listen to some tracks, check out the blog and more.
El DuendeAbout Sept 2006 I contacted Daniel from El Duende about playing in the band, went along to a rehearsal and have been playing Trumpet for them live and on recordings since then. Daniel writes great songs so it's always a treat to play with the band. There is some folksy stuff, nice interludes with violin, trumpet and sax and some rockier stuff as well. El Duende have a lot of great people in the band and associated with them, so it is great to see people at gigs, in the studio or just around town. There are some tracks on the player here so have a listen and come along to a gig sometime. El Duende has just been in the studio recording their 3rd Album and I think it will be a mixture of interesting sounds and great songs when it is finished. Genevieve Maynard's studio is awesome and she brews a good cup of tea. |
