Meet Mike Cottone

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Cottone.

Hi Mike, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I first picked up a trumpet at the age of 5 or 6 and had NO IDEA how to play. Huge bummer. I let it be and actually wanted to play saxophone! When the time came to choose an instrument in 5th grade at the age of 10, I was told there were no saxophone spots left so I figured I’d give the trumpet another shot. My middle school director and trumpeter Howard Rowe, drummer Rich Thompson, and private trumpet teacher, Julie, got me off to a swift start!

I quickly made progress playing by ear and progressed to high school where I met an incredible band director, Mr. McMurray. He sadly passed away my senior year at the age of 46 but he was the single most influential teacher in my life. The wise words he left behind, the CD’s and tapes he presented, and the hope he instilled in me started a career I never planned on. I actually wanted to be an engineer but found myself with a trumpet in my hands! After working with McMurray, the Eastman School music offered me a chance to pursue a double degree in education and jazz trumpet where I studied with Clay Jenkins, Doug Prosser, Jose Encarnacion, and Denver Dill. The root of my musical concepts all came from these players. I used my teaching degree to save up enough to move to NYC where I was accepted to the Juilliard School Masters program. Carl Allen and my teacher Chris Jaudes presented new real-world concepts to me that helped me earn a living right away. I was in school but the financial realities of life came crashing in like a brick. I made sure I started setting myself up to build a career as a musician and teacher. After Juilliard, I spent time playing as a sub on Broadway, with Ulysses Owens Jr., Lawrence Leathers, teaching part-time, and saying YES to every opportunity that came my way.

The connections from Eastman, Juilliard, and NYC led to a series of events where I ended up moving to LA for an audition with the formerly know Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz. I ended up auditioning in front of Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, and the late great Jimmy Heath. It was one of the most memorable moments of my life! The move to LA was one of the smartest decisions I ever made in my life. My love of cars, sunshine, and music all met in one place! The institute was an incredible chance to write, create, and build friendships with my classmates. We also worked with living legends making those two years feel like a dream come true. Tom Carter, Wayne Shorter, and Herbie Hancock built a unicorn program for musicians and I can’t thank them enough for the opportunity. I know I’ll never have another experience like that. I made a conscious choice to pursue working as a touring section player and opportunities with Blood Sweat & Tears, Bette Midler, Postmodern Jukebox, Don Henley, Ebi, and Eagles presented themselves. The hardest part about making a living in these settings is balancing my part-time teaching job as a band director and music theory teacher, but so far it has worked out! I love playing in rock or pop acts with horns but always love writing and performing original music at some of LA’s incredible clubs like the late great Blue Whale, Sam First, and Catalina. Big Bands, Latin Bands, and Indie Artists. The music scene here has a massive variety of styles and settings to play. Film, TV, live shows (pre covid….) and in immersive settings. I’m never bored here!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’d have to say my road has been pretty smooth other than the crippling self doubt every artist battles. Also, the realities of establishing a solid financial situation as a musician present the REAL struggle. 2020 has shown the importance of money management all too clearly. You have to plan your finances, but also remember the true purpose of music. We are here to entertain and heal! John Clayton once told me, “Be true to the music and the money will come.” Marc Iacona of the Rochester Jazz Festival offered this advice to piggyback on Mr. Clayton’s advice, “Sometimes you have to take huge risks in this industry, but keep being humble, grateful, and never forget where you come from.” Build up your peers and fellow musicians. We need a community more than ever now.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a professional trumpet player and educator specializing in improvisation and can perform various styles of music. I have two records out, “Just Remember”(2011) and “Thank You”(2020). I’m known mostly as a first-call soloist. I’m proud of myself for balancing teaching and performing for the last seven years and not giving up on one OR the other. The tug of war with having enough time in the day to do both is quite stressful but I think I’m getting the hang of it. What sets me apart from others??? Hmmm….I love cars almost as much if not more than music:)

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
LUCK IS HUGE! However, be kind, humble, work hard, have a goal, and just DO YO JOB(Sean Jones quote!) Luck will follow.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.mikecottone.com
• Instagram: @mikecottonemusic
• Facebook: Mike Cottone Music
• Twitter: @mikecottone
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/mikecottone

Image Credits
Xenia Leo Photography