Chris Gekker visited Portland to play with Chamber Music Northwest, an ensemble comprised mostly of the chamber players from Lincoln Center. Chris has used our 2000LT Bb trumpet for over a year now, and his artistry never ceases to inspire us.

Also in attendance was our old friend bass trombonist Dave Taylor. Dave is pictured at our shop with Ken Shirk. Ken inspired the first Monette bass trombone mouthpiece, the BT-2.

Wynton's teacher Prof. Bill Fielder visits Monette Shop

We were honored to have legendary teacher Bill Fielder stop by the shop for a quick visit. Many great players studied with Mr. Fielder including Wynton Marsalis and Terence Blanchard, along with local players Ben McDonald and Thara Memory, just to name a few...

L to R: Tom Johnson, Dean Willoughby, Bill Fielder, Dave, and Ben McDonald.

L.A. studio legend and Monette mouthpiece client Ollie Mitchell recently visted the shop. Ollie now lives on the Big Island of Hawaii, where Dave Monette met him this last summer. Ollie took to Monette mouthpieces right away, and now he and most of the brass section of his "Olliephonic Horns" big band use them as well. We listened to many, many stories on Ollie's visit, and we could have listened to countless more! Ollie has about 10 lifetimes of experience with the L.A. commercial music scene. From working with Herb Alpert and the Tiajuana Brass to playing with Sinatra to recording countless records, movie and TV soundtracks, Ollie has done it all. We are thrilled to have Ollie as a friend and client!

Ron Miles stopped by for an afternoon prior to playing the Mt. Hood Jazz Festival this Fall. Ron has played several private concerts at the Monette shop in the last few years, so we were glad that he once again played Portland in a public forum so more people could enjoy his artistry.

Ron plays a decorated Nirvikalpa Samadhi instrument we made for him a few years ago. After playing Ron's horn, both Terence Blanchard and Brian Lynch both said "Build me one exactly like this!!!" Look for Ron's solo CD's, as well as his recorded work with guitarist Bill Frisell.

Ron worked with talented trumpet player and client Vivek Patel, who was visiting from California.

Another L.A. studio legend visited us recently - Dave's old friend Bobby Shew. Dave met Bobby back in 1978 down in Salem, Oregon, where Dave made Bobby's legendary SHEWHORN. Bobby played just a bit for us, and the roof of the shop was raised about a foot and a half! Bobby sounds better than we have ever heard him - and that's saying a huge amount! Thanks for coming by, Bobby - its always great to see (and hear) you!