During his global solo career, Cecil Welch traveled 18 years as Henry Mancini’s solo and lead trumpeter. As a recording artist he has produced four solo trumpet CDs, including a tribute to the music of Mancini, Too Little Time, and a salute to the big band trumpeters of the past, Moonlight Blues.
Two for the Road: the Trumpet and Me
by Cecil Welch with Barbara Haines Welch
Two for the Road: the Trumpet and Me
by Cecil Welch with Barbara Haines Welch
Published Mar 13, 2015
310 Pages
Genre: BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Personal Memoirs
Book Details
“Bye-bye Symphony, Hello Hollywood!”
Despite the sweltering July humidity, dreamy lovers romanced to twinkling stars and sparkling candles as the Atlanta Symphony serenaded with the magical melodies of the guest conductor at the podium—Henry Mancini—world-renowned film and television composer. As a member of the trumpet section, I sat next to Mr. Mancini’s lead trumpeter, and when he suddenly fell ill from the southern heat, I agreed to play the next solo. Thirty seconds later I was standing before the Maestro to play the jazz solo on his theme to Peter Gunn. Little did I know as I packed up my horn for the night, that within 48 hours I would be invited to join the Mancini team of touring musicians, and to follow the international compass of the master of melody.