Rafael Mendez performs Jota #2 with the David Rose Orchestra. Rafael Mendez is without a doubt the greatest trumpet player who ever lived. If you watch this video you'll see why. The effortlessness in which he goes through extraordinarily difficult passages is unbelievable. And while still playing majestically and musically keeps his performance from being nothing but technicality. Rafael Méndez (March 26, 1906 - September 15, 1981) was a popular virtuoso solo trumpeter. As a young child in his native Mexico, Mendez was the cornetist for Pancho Villa. Mendez was legendary for his tone, range and technique. His most famous recording, "Moto Perpetuo," was written by Paganini for violin and features Mendez double tonguing continuously for over 4 minutes while circular breathing to give the illusion that he is not taking a natural breath while playing. Circular breathing is a technique used by players of some wind instruments to produce a continuous tone without break, and is accomplished by breathing in through the nose while blowing through the mouth using the air stored in the cheeks. |
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