Rafael Mendez - Jota Number 2

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.
In this video he is performing Jota #2 with the David Rose Orchestra. There are a few more performances I have so look out for them in the near future.

[@johnbillett758]

I was a 22 year old university student playing in the Saskatoon Kinsmen Concert Band,( conducted by John schoen) when our guest artist Rafael Mendez performed a concert in the Centennial Auditorium with his two sons. That was in 1969. Rafael travelled from L.A. a couple winters ( usually in Dec.) to the frigid ( -30 or worse) Saskatoon, despite his wife's worries about his catching a cold. It was a memorable time in my life. He was a very religious man and said a prayer with the Band before each concert. He sent his music to the Band a few weeks in advance of his concert and I recall how almost like calligraphy were his beautiful hand-written scores. At one of the rehearsals, the Band presented him with a knitted "peter-warmer". He wasn't quite sure what it was for but laughed like crazy when the Director explained. He was a role model that I will never forget or fail to appreciate.

[@johnphillips7941]

I have been listening to Raphael all my life & I am STILL floored by his astounding playing! Rest in peace, Raphael. I know you are in Heaven, and when I get there I want to study trumpet with you. your constant friend, John.

[@deadhood_66]

Mendez is the best trumpet player hands down there's have been soo many good trumpet players in the past but none as good as Mendez..i have all my respect for him

[@dalegibbs898]

He played an evening concert in my high school auditorium in 1958. During the day, I watched him rehearse. He played one piece 3 times, and each time there was a note that literally raised the hair on the back of my neck! Amazing musician! I’ve never forgotten that.

[@da11king]

The first master trumpet player I was introduced to by my High Scool marching band director in the late 90s. All I can say is "THE ONE AND ONLY RAFAEL MENDEZ" 🙌🏾✨️👏🏾🔥🔥🎶🎺🎵👌🏾🎞⭐️

[@B0omtown]

I love how when you hear his tone you can instantly know he's a latin trumpet player. I love that tone!

[@jomtipsparatrompeta1626]

The best trumpet player in the world RAFAEL MÉNDEZ ever forever!!!!! He was born in Michoacan Mexico!

[@iluminatiytu]

Rafael was a master musician; above and beyond most if not all trumpet players in the world. He was never recognized fully for his genius.

[@Zsaxman60]

I’m not a trumpet player but I certainly am astounded at his virtuosity. His flawless articulation, every note is centered from bottom to top of range. We must make sure every young player is familiar-with this legend.

[@daikimoto6725]

He ist the greatest. No one is like Rafael Mendez. He ist so creative. Not just play trumpet, he has composed many phantastic music and arranged for the orchetras. Oh, great man!

[@oldjoe8425]

Rafael Mendez had a great North American disciple: Clifford Brown, who began his studies by the method of Rafael and played as well as, with the difference that he was a jazz player, a great improviser and had a different sound (he died in 1956, with 25 years, but remains inimitable to this day, 2020). Watch this sample of his live music in 1956 and tell if there is anyone who can play like this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIqogp9urpKlgZI. Note the similarity in style, only it is much more complex.

[@afonsecamiquel]

El mejor trompetista del mundo en su tiempo! Bravo...

[@hiralph60]

there will NEVER be another one like him.

[@mysticakhenaton1701]

the man LOVED what he was doing. Making Music/Playing that Trumpet.

[@ofinso]

60 years ago, as a young lad in Vancouver, BC, I watched, spellbound as he played The Trumpeter's Lullaby using only one finger. I have never forgotten!

[@littledrewboo]

raphael mendez in my opinion is the most technically proficient trumpet player i have ever heard! If only technology back then would have been better to where we could hear the true brilliance of mendez's playing.

[@Nabokov50]

Every time I hear this Mendez guy play, it reaffirms in my mind that we aren't alone in the universe. He has to be an alien, because no human can make a trumpet do what he ( it ) does.

[@spokes64]

In addition to being probably the best trumpet player to ever walk the earth, his flair and showmanship are icing on the cake!!

[@halwheeler3124]

Rafael was without question one of the greatest trumpet players ever. It's difficult for me, though, to select only one player as the ""greatest."" I listen with equal awe to Herbert L. Clarke, Del Staigers, Harry James, Doc Severinsen, Maurice Andre, Timofei Dockshutser, Bud Herseth, Malcolm McNab and several more. I might pick a personal favorite but that doesn't diminish the others in my admiration.

[@margaret8391]

Rafael was the greatest. The others were simply very good.

[@williamwild2188]

Such a gifted musical virtuoso!

[@dafofnofo]

el virtuoso Wynton Marsalis dijo en una entrevista en Mexico que Rafael Mendez era el mejor de todos los tiempos despues Louis Armstrong. Menciono que Rafa podia mantenerse tocando 18 minutos sin necesidad de detenerse para respirar. Respira y exhalaba al mismo, Increible tecnica. ! Viva Rafael Mendez !

[@Android_Warrior]

Rafael Méndez primero y despues Louis Armstrong.

[@brucenicholls854]

So much joy in his playing! A beautiful glimpse of the past.

[@JuanLopez-kc5rq]

El mejor trompetista de todos los tiempos Rafael Méndez Arceo

[@waynebritton1436]

13 thirteen thumbs down? Why too perfect. The flexibility he had was incredible. It goes with his all time best double tonguing perfectly.

[@joseNiz]

Para mi este personaje músico y trompetista cera inigualable en la forma de tocar este instrumento que es la trompeta no abra ninguno como el fue el mejor de todos tocaba ha una velocidad que no se conseguir que en paz descanse MAESTRO de maestros👑

[@eduardoberrini5999]

Coincido con Ud. Saludos

[@James9533]

Rafael Mendez=the original trumpet virtuoso. This guy was doing stuff on the trumpet that people weren't even attempting until like 20 years AFTER he died.

[@glennwood7599]

He is the best I've ever heard. I have several of his 33's.

[@Nabokov50]

The polite hand clapping people at the end of this performance didn't know what they'd just witnessed. A standing ovation would have been a better suit.

[@stevokr]

This is awesome, please put more Rafael Mendez clips on youtube!

[@trumpeterchris]

Out of this world!!!!!

[@ofinso]

It was in the Denman Street auditorium near Stanley Park in Vancouver - my mother took me to all sorts of shows. She loved all kinds of music. I had never seen a trumpet played that way before - only in symphony orchestras and in films. I used to watch films of Louis Armstrong, as well. This show was in person - I was a few rows back but he came right to the front of the stage so the kids could see him better.

[@GerryBoy]

my Grand Pa was in one of his shows in Los Angeles, Ca in the late 1940's, this guy was spectacular in live events with a full orchestra just for him.

[@mikemx21]

rafel mendez es simplemente el mejor trompetista. bravo. excelent.

[@robertmyers6865]

He was AMAZING!

[@hiralph60]

there was only one many have come close but not close enough. He will always be the ultimate one. .

[@hiralph60]

NO QUESTION ABOUT IT. YOU ARE RIGHT ON. HE WAS A GREAT ONE ALSO AS A PERSON. I KNEW HIM.

[@Jebowski]

WOW. I played one of his trios before for a contest, but I've never seen footage of him. Impressive!

[@lichax1]

love it we have a mendez trumpet going to have to sell it.

[@haz40]

How have I missed this all my life, seeing this when I was young would have changed my life. Did Raphael ever do the Carnival of Venice?

[@carmenaguirrerequena]

Qué maravilla!! Preciosa Jota Mis felicitaciones y ******** Gracias César por comparir Carmen

[@vincemalang3776]

Master trumpeter amazing

[@sergiomxdf]

Zooter, tank's a LooooT for uploading this videos! All are great.

[@jbiografiadegrandesactores]

tecnica inigualable , todas las notas muy claras, sonoridad excelente . Un virtuosismo inigualable. Un inmortal de la trompeta .

[@tubadylan]

Bravo!

[@jasmineschannel3865]

Excellent video🎺🎺

[@TheGhoulardi]

All this about his sound is immaterial I had the opportunity to hear him live several times. Yes he had a very strident "soloist"sound. And he played Olds trumpets.

[@gaums]

When I was in school I used to play the trumpet. All my band directors, from junior high to high school, agreed that Mendez was the best trumpet player; they were all brass players. In high school one of my band directors asked me who was my favourite trumpet player. I said that I listened to Mendez and that was my model. He then said that I should stop listening to him because he was too "perfect." He suggested Marsalis.

[@DasBullWy]

crazy how he almost dances as he plays lol.. incredible playing!

[@SuperFrench123]

Ay Rafa como siempre eres toda un pistola andando!!!!!

[@rompemusculos]

mendez es exelente inigualable mi maximo idolo

[@shazibIsMySon]

very amazing

[@trump321]

There is more than one way to triple tongue... this one is tu-ku-tu-tu-ku-tu.

[@elysaulalvarezzerpa5005]

LO MAXIMO

[@brenttopia]

He is such a beast

[@Nubtastic]

Hawley... That man is a freaking machine!

[@jazzytrumpet]

that is true that is because it takes more air to play low notes full then high notes I have the same problem at times ,my old band teacher use to tell us that all the time.

[@guillermosanchez1333]

Yo no conocia la trayectoria de Rafael ni sabia que era mexicano, pensaba que Arturo Sandoval era el mejor del mundo, ni siquiera le llega a los talones a Rafael Mendez...

[@pacoorellana233]

Para mi llegado un punto es cosa de gusto y estilo, no de mejor o peor

[@marcxopoco]

The best ever.

[@ziogregory4799]

Rafael Mendez had no equal!

[@LS6Silverado]

effortLESS God he is the best!!!!

[@JESUSSINES]

SIN PALABRAS

[@SuperFrench123]

Ay mi Rafa siempre eres una pistola andando!!!!

[@nelsony2568]

He's very good. remember guys, at that time there wasn't the tecnology that we have today difrent sound quality etc .

[@playonkorg]

Huhh...this sounds great !

[@EtrofOnaip]

Bravissimo

[@Nabokov50]

His technical skill is voodoo...he can't be human.

[@Nabokov50]

Piece of cake, I can play like that half drunk, or maybe being half drunk makes me think I can. Actually beyond belief.

[@Contagi0n]

true that.

[@pacman80500]

Thank you for that bit of information. Of course as we all know both Wynton and Rafael are really, really really,,,,, good. i like rafael too, i meant to joke around a bit, but thanks im abit smarter now...

[@cmcas]

I think this was the tipical sound of the time, the 50s.

[@Bananaman2477]

god i have to play this for my solo

[@rodrigocr1076]

Tecnica velocidad enorme

[@rompemusculos]

mendez is the king

[@haz40]

recording of the Carnival of Venice

[@tubadylan]

Viva el numero uno mariachi todos!

[@Ehal256]

actually he only uses double tounguing in this piece, he might use triple tonguing once or twice, but its 99% double.

[@rosaarias5644]

He played for Pancho Villa.

[@jorgegomez7848]

sin ser nada conocedor mi opinion aqui la dejo, tecnicamente el mejor,y en todo tipo de musica, hasta a paganinni y el que tambien le imprimia un gran sentimiento don miguel martinez del vargas de tecalitlan en los años 50 gdl .mex..

[@drifteromega]

honestly dude, i wouldnt be surprised if the other guy was a music major or a professional musician, and a trumpet player. winning a grammy has nothing to do with talent. and grammy's werent even around when this guy was big. music students think they know everything, just because they're music students.

[@TheZetz]

@SirTrumpalot It's not really the trumpet, it also has to do with the sound quality of the recordings.

[@hiralph60]

he played a 10 1/2c bach mpc. the shallower mpc thin the sound. Otherwise a new mouth to play on. shallow mpcs thin out the sound sometimes too much. Experiment. I knew Rafael.

[@hiralph60]

?? ARE YOU SURE IT WAS TRUMPERTS LULLABY??? I KNEW HIM PERSONALLY & WHEN HE WAS IN CHICAGO AREA [APPROX 30 YRS AGO] HE INVITED ME TO DEERFIELD HS CONCERT. HE PLAYED VARIATIONS OF CARNIVAL OF VENICE [ HE ANNOUNCED W HE WAS GOING TO DO & HE PLAYED THEM. ONLY 1 FINGER] I PLAYED USING 3 FINGERS 25 YRS BEFORE WHILE IN HS.

[@GerryBoy]

well this is called tripple tonguing. With a fouth in the middle.

[@p3pedos]

He is playing a Segovian jot

[@dr.kevinmoore8889]

Uh Clifford Brown says "Hi."

[@statter-z8685]

Hi

[@TapeMeasureandhair]

are you it's not the typical sound of the time? ;) great anyway

[@tromba25]

actually, Sergei Nakariakov recorded Moto Perpetuo back in 1995 when he was only 18 (staccato, not slurred). I am not saying, however, that he was able to rival Mendez at that time. Now though, he may come pretty close. But then again, let's not compare trumpeters in that way because it all depends on our preferred style

[@cheesheadman]

You don't actually need to circular breath, a great trumpet player I know and the people in his section all say the same thing: practice with air enough and you will have enough to last until a breath with some left over. Also, music is meant to have spaces so to circular breath actually defeats some of the finer points of music playing, as a well timed breath can be just as important as a good crescendo in the professional world. Or so I have heard.

[@ALEXSUGO]

mrodhornet2010 OK, Mendez never won a grammy for a racism items. do you know how many latins won a grammy? but he is greatest trumphet play. do you think? i'am 52 years old and live in México city.

[@HoboNinja2]

This is true music. Not at all like that soulja boy shit.

[@Fany3d]

He was the best trumpet player.... Not even Marsalis can beat his Molto Perpetuo by Paganini...

[@TheZetz]

@number1trumpet I'm not sorry, and I disagree whole-heartedly. (Aside from the fact that it's not even the same genre.)

[@BernsteinYuvalAlexander]

I don't think it's a shit but I also don't think that it's THE shit. You can hear for example his haydn concerto on youtube and it's a really bad joke: it's very not in style, and when I listen to it I always get the impression that he first thinks of the trumpet and himself instead of thinking of the music first

[@number1trumpet]

You might have to re-think that statement after checking out a few of my videos. Not saying we're better, but my band is AS GOOD as this guy.

[@BernsteinYuvalAlexander]

I agree with drekar86 He only knows how to play shit like this it's even music. if you wanna hear music hear timofei dokshitser, maurice andre, ole edvard antonsen...

[@pacman80500]

I bet Wynton can beat his butt> (Wynton rocks)

[@GBRslayer]

As great as Rafael was, he certainly was not the best. Herbert L. Clarke is still the unequaled master.

[@Nabokov50]

get thinner lips

[@inf1nity]

great player.........most annoying vibrato.

[@SirTrumpalot]

No doubt he's great. However, I don't like his sound as much as some others. It could be his instrument. Today maybe he'd get a much better sound with a Monette or something. I would have like to hear him on a flugel horn or a german rotary trumpet. Maybe it could be the recording quality. None-the-less his technique is unsurpassed. Maybe it is just that not even he could have it ALL together.

[@waynebritton1436]

His sound is unique and styled toward the time he played and the equipment of the time. All of the greats have a unique sound all their own.