Roy Stevens (1916–1988) was an American

trumpet The trumpet is a brass instrument commonly used in classical and jazz musical ensemble, ensembles. The trumpet group ranges from the piccolo trumpet—with the highest Register (music), register in the brass family—to the bass trumpet, pitche ...

player, ''Stevens-Costello System'' brass embouchure teacher, and author of the ''Embouchure Self-Analysis: Stevens-Costello Triple C Embouchure Technique'' with Bill Moriarity.

Biography

Roy Stevens was born in 1916. His father was a tailor who died when Roy was very young. This was during the depression era so his family faced financial hardships that befell many families. Roy began playing trumpet professionally in his teens to support his family. Roy played with many of the named bands during the swing era: Tommy Dorsey, Bunny Berigan, and Benny Goodman. Later Roy successfully headed his own big band recording for London Records. Roy's big band won the Downbeat Band of the Year Award in 1950. He was managed by Joe Glaser, manager for Louie Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Hot Lips Page and Henry Red Allen. Roy also played in the section of the Raymond Scott Orchestra and most notably he played with Coleman Hawkins at Kelly's Stable on 52nd Street. Roy encountered William Costello who was a prominent trumpet teacher who also wrote a column in Metronome magazine. Later when Costello retired, Roy took over the studio referring to the teaching as the Steven-Costello System. While teaching, Roy maintained his playing in combos and big bands. Besides private teaching, Roy was an Associate Instructor at the Columbia University's Teacher's College. Roy taught trumpet embouchure until his death in October 1988.

Pupils

*Paul G. Bogosian: lead trumpet player for

Don Ellis Donald Johnson Ellis (July 25, 1934 – December 17, 1978) was an American jazz trumpeter, drummer, composer, and bandleader. He is best known for his extensive musical experimentation, particularly in the area of time signatures. Later in his ...

*Don Ellis: jazz trumpet player, composer and band leader. *Lloyd Michaels: lead and session trumpet player *Roy Roman: lead trumpet player for Lionel Hampton, Charlie Palmieri, Tito Puente *Vince Penzarella: trumpet player for the NY Philharmonic, NY Metropolitan Opera Company *Lew Soloff: jazz and session trumpet player, band leader *Dr. Elmer R. White: trumpet player and educator - former professor of music at Appalachian State University *Bentley Ferguson: Maynard Ferguson's late son spent a summer living and studying with Roy when he was about 14 * Lee Bracegirdle: principal French horn with

OFUNAM The Orquesta Filarmónica de la UNAM (National Autonomous University of Mexico's Philharmonic Orchestra, also known as OFUNAM) was founded in 1936 and is the oldest symphonic group in Mexico City. It is based at Sala Nezahuacóyotl at the Univer ...

(México) / Hofer Symphoniker (Germany) /

Sydney Symphony Orchestra The Sydney Symphony Orchestra (SSO) is an Australian symphony orchestra based in Sydney. With roots going back to 1908, the orchestra was made a permanent professional orchestra on the formation of the Australian Broadcasting Commission in 1932. ...

References

External links

Tribute Site with audio and video:
www.roystevens.org
Stevens-Costello Method Instruction:
www.royroman.com
Method Book:
www.amazon.com
By Roy Stevens, co-author and edited by Bill Moriarity, ''Embouchure Self-Analysis & The Stevens-Costello Embouchure Technique (Complete),'' 2nd edition. Published by Create Space and sold by Amazon.com {{DEFAULTSORT:Stevens, Roy 1916 births 1989 deaths American male trumpeters 20th-century American trumpeters 20th-century American male musicians

Biography

Pupils

See also

References

External links