Phillip Smith. Photo by Chris Lee
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
Phillip Smith is no ordinary musician. He is known world wide as one of the finest classical trumpet players anywhere. When he isn’t performing as the principal trumpet for the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, he plays in a variety of brass ensembles, such as the Imperial Brass with whom he appeared in July 2011 at the Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove, New Jersey.* Phillip has performed with the greatest orchestras, brass bands and wind ensembles all over the world. He is on the faculty at Juilliard and the Manhattan School of Music.
Mr. Smith is good friends with Dr. Gordon Turk, who is the organist for our 11,000 pipe Hope-Jones organ and who is the producer of the incredible Summer Stars series held every July in the Great Auditorium.
Thanks to this relationship, as well as Phillip’s long history as a summer visitor and now part-time resident in Ocean Grove, we are going to have a unique opportunity to enjoy a Summer Stars concert organized by Mr. Smith for July 4.
In an interview this past week with Mr. Smith, we were able to discuss some special questions with him. Phil (we are now on a first name basis) has been coming to the Grove since childhood for the summer fun, and in 2005, he “took the plunge” and bought an OG cottage which he visits year-round with his wife, the soprano Sheila Smith. His other home is in north Jersey. He recalls playing in summer rock bands at Convention Hall in Asbury Park when he was a youngster in the Grove.
Phil describes himself as a Christian, and his faith has energized his artistry as well as some of his musical choices such as playing with the Salvation Army’s staff bands worldwide. During that 2011 concert in OG, he told the audience that there is “joy in Ocean Grove” and that being here “refreshes our spiritual souls.” He fondly recalls a musical moment when he stood in the far highest reaches of the Great Auditorium with Gordon Turk below on organ, and they played Bach’s “Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring.” Phil says that the sound was “other worldly.”
According to Phil, the Great Auditorium is a “fabulous building,” and the acclaim for its acoustics is well deserved. Phil looks forward to playing in the GA, although he admits that the heat can sometimes be a big issue for performers, especially those with delicate instruments whose tuning can be easily compromised.
The July 4 concert is called “I Love NY Brass Concert.” Phil is bringing some of the finest New York musicians (see below) for this celebration of America and its music. Phil said that he chose “people that I like and respect.” The group consists of seven brass players (plus Dr. Turk on organ) who will present a mixture of classical pieces, Americana, Broadway and Disney selections, marches, and patriotic tunes including a tribute to the armed forces. There will be some special treats including a trumpet solo by Phil Smith where you can hear his exquisite sound, as well as a two pieces where the brass and the Hope-Jones organ, with Dr. Turk on the console, join together—you can imagine what that will sound like. I can’t wait.
Phillip Smith played Gershwin’s “Someone to Watch Over Me.” when he performed here in 2011. That arrangement was written for Mr. Smith by his friend and colleague Joseph Turrin. Phil is not known as a performer of jazz, but this song was very special to him because it reminds him of “his faith” and is a tribute to his father, Derek Smith, a renowned cornet soloist, who was his first teacher. Phil said that many performers wanted to use the arrangement, but the Gershwin family wouldn’t allow it to be published. Below is a recording of Mr. Smith playing that arrangement with Mr. Turrin on piano.
PHILLIP SMITH (trumpet) and JOSEPH TURRIN (piano and arranger.) Instrumental version of George (music) and Ira Gershwin’s (lyrics) “Someone to Watch Over Me.” From the musical “Oh Kay” (1926)
The concert on Thursday, July 4, begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Great Auditorium . Tickets are $15.00 each at 800-590 4064 or WWW.oceangrove.org.
Here is a link* to the Blogfinger article about that 2011 concert in the GA including a video of Phillip performing Gershwin’s “Someone to Watch Over Me.” But the audio above is better quality.