Rick Pierce profile picture

Rick Pierce

Trumpet Player, Producer, Composer

About Me

What can I say.............I'm a trumpet player and composer living in Brooklyn,NY. After years of playing with many orchestras, shows, club dates, and big bands, I really needed to venture into other types of music. Oh yeah, I still do those things, but I have been spending more time trying to develop my own thing. I enjoy collaborating with electronic composers and remixers as well. I currently play with Gaijin A GoGo, BCK Records, and do a fair amount of work as a hired gun with various orchestras, theatres, salsa, funk, r&b, kompa, pop, and rock bands. I also teach a whole bunch of kids in the art of creative noise making. I love kids..................but I could never eat a whole one. /p.
On the Classical side of things, I'm a graduate of Indiana University. I spent a few years working on a Doctorate in trumpet performance and music literature when I woke up and realized that I just wanted to play my horn. I didn't want to spend a few more years in college so that I could spend the rest of my life teaching in one. I've held positions with several orchestras including Assistant Principal Trumpet with the Florida Orchestra. I've also been a member of Columbus Pro Musica, Evansville Philharmonic, Owensboro Symphony Orchestra, The Springfield Symphony, and a few others. I've performed at various festivals as well, including the Spoleto Festival. Currently I play with The Bronx Arts Ensemble, Queens Chorale Society, and The Oratorio Society of Queens.

On the other side of the musical spectrum.........hmmmmmmmmm......where to begin. I have played a lot with the house band at the world famous Copacabana. Done many Broadway and off Broadway shows. Played with countless big bands around town. Done cruise ships. Spent six months playing with a brass band at an amusement park in Japan. Done some traveling road shows. Done a lot of gigs that just defy any kind of category and description (ones involving clowns, midgets, electric spoons, and live anime characters).

All of these experiences have allowed me to work with a pretty eclectic group of performers. Here's a somewhat random list of those that I've shared the stage with: Wyclef Jean, Yes, Supa DJ Dmitry (Deee-Lite), Kenny Rogers, John Denver, Maxim Vengerov, Arlo Guthrie, Toni Tennille, Tony Martin, Andy Montanez, Hector Tricoche, Cano Escremira, Miasotis, Viti Ruiz, Frankie Ruiz, Ismael Miranda, Steve Allen, John Corigliano, George Takei (Mr. Sulu), Randy Macho Man Savage, Hulk Hogan,and some others that I just can't think of right now. The last three were narrators on some orchestra concerts. It is a rather odd mix.

Currently I've been working a lot with Gaijin A Go-Go and BCK Records. Working on that ultimate goal of being a rock star of sorts. I've got the hair for it now.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 2/17/2005
Influences: Well..................aside from the usual trumpet player influences (ya know Miles, Clifford, Maynard), It's just a bit of everything ranging from great music of any style, art, dance, or even that great burger I had last night.
Sounds Like: Here's a beautiful Spinal Tap moment with Djakout. The band kicks ass once the bugs are worked out.

These videos are from the main stage at The Knitting Factory with Gaijin A Go-Go

June 1st 2008. Central Park with Gaijin A Go-Go

This is a video of Gaijin A Go-Go from a couple of years ago

These two videos are with Ismael Miranda and Richie Gonzalez


Record Label: None yet
Type of Label: None

My Blog

Konpa Kreyol and Kickin ass road holes that Kick your Kister

Gotta keep this one short. My weekend in Haiti was fantastic. I've never played before bigger crowds in my life than these few days with the band Djakout. Haiti is a beautiful country with some of the...
Posted by Rick Pierce on Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:52:00 PST

Blondes, Beats, and Blueberry Salsa

Ok............Finally a blog that includes the food reference. The writings of the past were given titles that referenced the culinary artifacts around me. This one will actually explain it. There wil...
Posted by Rick Pierce on Fri, 11 Jul 2008 12:21:00 PST

Sushi Sashimi and Screaming Mimi’s

We had a great weekend with Gaijin A Go-Go. Since taking a year long hiatus with the band, things are looking better than ever. Our show in Central Park last Sunday was really cool. We all had so much...
Posted by Rick Pierce on Thu, 05 Jun 2008 11:28:00 PST

Fried Fish and Kusturica

Probably should have started this story a while back..................but I didn't.Well, my eye surgery was a success. It was a long time coming and there was a bit of recovery time involved. I though...
Posted by Rick Pierce on Tue, 13 May 2008 01:26:00 PST

An Eventful Week

Wow!!! So much happened these past few days. Went to Martinique with this band called Djet X. It was a major feat to pull this one off. The music and the bandleader have been around for many years. Th...
Posted by Rick Pierce on Wed, 16 Jan 2008 09:18:00 PST

First Blog in ages

It's been a long time since my last post. Let's see..............we were getting the boot from our place. Much has happened since then. Maybe it's best to just put the events in order and give the mos...
Posted by Rick Pierce on Wed, 10 Oct 2007 09:03:00 PST

The end of an era

Well, the end of an era has been reached. After eight years, we're finally getting kicked out of our apartment. A three bedroom, two living room place in the ever changing Boerum Hill section of Brook...
Posted by Rick Pierce on Sat, 12 May 2007 11:07:00 PST

Yeah, I keep the busted arm pic up there

Well, I'm well on my way to recovery. The cast has been off for a few weeks. Gotta wear a brace for about six weeks when I go into public or do anything strenuous like playing trumpet. It's going to b...
Posted by Rick Pierce on Tue, 05 Dec 2006 07:52:00 PST

Saturday with Gaijin A Go-Go

Saturday will  great night of fun swingin' dance music with The Dansettes, Le Sans Culottes, and of course Gaijin A Go-Go. So, put on your gogo boots and mini skirts (if your a woman) or wear you...
Posted by Rick Pierce on Fri, 05 May 2006 01:23:00 PST

Missing Halloween

Once again, I seem to be missing halloween. It was always one of my favorite celebrations and I've had no part in it for a couple of years. Something always happens these past few years. I'm very seri...
Posted by Rick Pierce on Sat, 29 Oct 2005 11:55:00 PST