Eddie Severn
Trumpet · Composer · Educator
About Eddie Severn — Trumpeter, Educator, and Composer
A Career Spanning Decades & Continents
With a performing career spanning more than 45 years, British-born trumpeter Eddie Severn is notable in his ability to adapt to many musical styles — from extensive work as a lead trumpet player in the commercial music world to innovative performances as a soloist playing his own compositions. He is equally at home playing pop, Latin, jazz, and classical styles.
Eddie has performed with many well-known musicians including Maria Schneider, Benny Golson, Phil Woods Big Band, Dave Liebman Big Band, The Temptations, Kenny Rogers, The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, The Four Freshmen, and the English Symphony Orchestra.
Composing & Commissions
As well as composing music for his own Quartet, Eddie has written several commissions including music for the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, the Scottish Composers Jazz Ensemble, and the Scottish Arts Council. A notable commission was premiered at the Glasgow International Jazz Festival, where he wrote a piece for renowned trumpeter Kenny Wheeler.
Featured Album: Equilibrium — Gyro Music, 2003
Education & Teaching
Eddie is currently Professor of Trumpet and Jazz Studies at Commonwealth University Mansfield. As an educator, Severn has extensive experience directing big bands and teaching both jazz studies and trumpet. He has been on the faculty at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Napier University in Edinburgh, Scotland, and the Birmingham Conservatoire of Music in England, as well as serving as a regular visiting artist at Penn State University. Eddie holds a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Salford in Manchester, England.
As a clinician, he has been featured at the New York Brass Conference, the IAJE Conference, the International Trumpet Guild Conference, and Eastern Michigan University. European clinics include work with the Tampere Conservatoire Big Band in Finland and the Frydlant Jazz Summer School in the Czech Republic.
Lessons with Eddie Severn
Trumpet Lessons
Many of my students have the same objectives with their playing. One of the things I place great importance on is learning to practice and play efficiently. My trumpet lessons are very much adapted to each student, but generally include:
- Trouble shooting problems with pitch and sound production
- Improving sound production, articulation and attacks
- Right hand technique
- Efficient use of practice time
- Improving range and stamina
- Breathing
- Equipment advice
- Cognitive techniques
Jazz Improvisation
There is a bewildering amount of information out there these days on how to improvise, yet many students are frustrated because they feel they still can't seem to make "sense" when they improvise. Eddie's jazz improvisation lessons cover chord structures, be-bop language, modal approaches, pentatonic scale use, ear training, and transcribing techniques.
Online Lessons
Online lessons via Skype or FaceTime. All lessons are 60 minutes and cost $60, payable in advance. All lessons are scheduled in Eastern Standard Time.
Diagnostics
Eddie offers a diagnostic service that identifies playing problems and offers solutions. Submit a video of specific exercises along with a questionnaire to receive a detailed written report.
Trumpet Solutions — eBook by Eddie Severn
Eddie Severn's Trumpet Solutions eBook is available for $15. It covers common trumpet playing problems and practical solutions developed over his 45-year career.
Contact Eddie to book a lesson or for more information.
Contact Eddie Severn
Email: info@eddiesevern.com