Rafael Mendez, Trumpet: "Samba" - An Archival Recording from the David Rose Show in 1950

[@johnliddle8410]

Rafael Mendez was truly the greatest. I tried one of his trumpets, an Olds I think. Medium to small bore with short throw very fast valves. It was a great horn. However Mendez could play any model of trumpet and still have the fastest technique of anyone with that burning sound. Thanks for posting his recording.

[@dwerden]

There are some amazing players around today, and some have astounding technique, but in my opinion none match the sheer excitement of Mendez!

[@j.ag.3537]

Yep, Mendez is the Ultimate Mariachi Trumpeter on earth. He can give that punchy , signature sound and even more, doing amazing fireworks with trumpet. Such a pity that he's not reedited on cd since 2000 (i suppose legal problem between decca, summit and/or mendez family???)

[@jamescherney5874]

He' s a trumpet playing machine. It' s hard to really call this music.