The Louis Dowdeswell Podcast

• EP10: Mike Lovatt on Resilience, Sound, and a Lifetime with the Trumpet

  Discover the remarkable story of Mike Lovatt—one of the UK’s most respected trumpet players. From a devastating cycling accident that nearly ended his career at 14, to performing with the John Wilson Orchestra, Jesse Norman, and leading his own Brass Pack ensemble, Mike shares powerful lessons on motivation, sound, and the soul of every note.   Perfect for brass players, musicians, and anyone seeking inspiration on resilience and artistry. 🎧 Listen now to hear Mike’s philosophy, his career milestones, and the wisdom he’s passing on to the next generation.   0:00 – Louis introduces Mike Lovatt and his legendary career. 6:42 – The life-changing accident at 14: losing teeth and fearing the end of trumpet playing. 12:15 – Six weeks later: returning to the stage with no teeth. 21:03 – Learning by ear, early influences, and discovering the trumpet’s sound. 34:27 – Motivation, resilience, and playing like your life depends on it. 48:10 – Lessons from working with Jesse Norman and the John Wilson Orchestra. 1:02:22 – Respecting the trumpet: philosophy, belief, and daily mindset. 1:15:08 – The importance of sound and connection with the audience. 1:28:54 – Passing on knowledge: Brass Pack, Brass Cubs, and inspiring the next generation. 1:44:30 – What’s next: recording a new solo album and future projects.     Join the Trumpet Academy: https://www.skool.com/louis-trumpet-academy-6100

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• EP 9: John Thirkell on Buddy Rich, Studio Sessions & Building a Music Business

  Trumpet legend John Thirkell joins Louis Dowdeswell to share stories from Buddy Rich to Jamiroquai, plus insights on practice, confidence & business.   ⏱️ Timestamp Highlights 00:00 – Facing fears & growth as a musician 02:10 – Introducing John Thirkell: trumpet & flugelhorn legend 06:45 – Discovering the trumpet at school in the North East 14:20 – Failing auditions but finding another path 19:00 – QE2 gigs: sight-reading, cabaret & lessons learned 25:40 – Moving to London & joining the BBC Big Band 32:10 – Touring with Buddy Rich & high-pressure band life 42:00 – Staying calm under pressure: Caruso lessons & mindset 52:30 – Teaching methods: Bill Adam, Bob Becka & mental game 1:03:00 – Touring with Lisa Stansfield & Swing Out Sister 1:12:20 – Studio session life in the 80s & 90s boom 1:23:00 – Creating passive income & the Two Camels business 1:35:00 – Productivity, planning & tackling hard tasks first 1:48:00 – Balancing trumpet practice with business life 1:57:00 – On confidence, comebacks & playing after 8 years off 2:08:00 – Elite Music Camps in Spain: beyond the notes 2:18:00 – Final thoughts: execution over ideas & looking ahead     Join the Trumpet Academy: https://www.skool.com/louis-trumpet-academy-6100      

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• EP 8: Sean Payne on Perfect Pitch, Learning Obsession & Musical Truth

  In this episode of The Louis Dowdeswell Podcast, I sit down with the phenomenal saxophone player and fellow music school alum, Sean Payne. We go deep—from our early gigs and pub chats to intense topics like perfect pitch, internalising music, composition philosophies, circular breathing, and the psychology of practice. Sean shares what it means to be a "serial learner" and why musical breakthroughs often come from reducing things to their simplest forms. You'll hear us talk about: The myth of perfect pitch and how it can actually be developed Writing jazz melodies without rhythmic crutches The emotional reason most people don’t improve How listening habits shape your entire sound Why Sean refuses to slow solos down when transcribing And what Michael Brecker, Wayne Shorter, Joey Calderazzo & Cannibal Adderley all taught him indirectly This one's a goldmine for sax players, jazz musicians, teachers, and anyone obsessed with getting better at their craft—no fluff, just real talk from the trenches.   Join the Trumpet Academy: https://www.skool.com/louis-trumpet-academy-6100     🧠 Real musicianship. Real learning. Real stories. Come join us inside the mind of one of the UK’s most exciting young jazz voices.     📍 Timestamps / Highlights: 00:00 – Welcome & intro to Sean Payne 03:14 – Internalising music: “If you can’t hear it, you can’t play it” 08:45 – Perfect pitch: Myth, memory & training 15:20 – Developing pitch through singing in unfamiliar keys 20:33 – Altissimo register & limiting beliefs 28:40 – Circular breathing story from the pub 33:12 – What Sean’s learning now: melody-rhythm 39:50 – The art of leaving space in writing 47:10 – Does prescription kill creativity in large ensembles? 56:45 – Minimalism in writing: what Miles, Wayne & Coltrane taught us 1:02:10 – Transcribing vs understanding: deeper than just notes 1:08:02 – Pattern playing, originality & Joey Calderazzo’s brutal honesty 1:20:15 – Practicing without your instrument 1:24:40 – Tonguing, tempo, and mental “sloppiness” 1:30:11 – Deep listening: why 3 albums are better than 300 1:37:33 – Music vs lawnmowers: finding your sound in an age of overwhelm 1:44:00 – What people really mean when they “don’t have time to practice” 1:51:18 – Why Sean won't copy Brecker anymore 1:57:20 – The difference between wanting an outcome & doing the work 2:04:00 – Wrap-up: the mental game of mastery

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• Part 2: Simon Gardner Opens Up: A Spiritual Story About Loss, Grief & Life After Death

  In this very special conversation, trumpet legend Simon Gardner opens up to Louis about his personal spiritual experience during the final weeks of his late wife's life. What starts as a simple chat turns into one of the most powerful, vulnerable, and hope-filled stories we've ever shared on this channel. Simon talks about: Coping with terminal illness as a partner Going sober through grief Witnessing unexplained spiritual phenomena What he believes happens after we die The comfort and peace that carried him through unimaginable pain Whether you're spiritual, religious, or simply curious—this story is for anyone seeking comfort in the face of loss. 👉 Join the Trumpet Academy: https://www.skool.com/louis-trumpet-a... ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: Simon's spiritual story preview 01:40 – Losing faith after childhood Catholicism 03:10 – Simon’s wife diagnosed with terminal cancer 05:00 – Going sober to face grief head-on 06:45 – The moment it happened: seeing “wisps” 08:00 – A spirit goes through his chest—morphine-like euphoria 09:30 – The message: “Everything’s going to be okay” 12:10 – What Simon believes about the afterlife 14:20 – Seeing the spirits in the hospice 16:15 – Why people need to hear this 18:20 – Coming out the other side of grief 20:00 – Moving forward with love and new life 22:30 – Words of hope for anyone facing loss #SimonGardner #SpiritualExperience #LifeAfterDeath #GriefJourney #TrumpetCommunity #LouisDowdeswell #HopeAfterLoss #FaithAndMusic #HealingThroughGrief #TrumpetPodcast #MusicAndSpirit #LossAndLove #FindingPeace

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• EP 7: Simon Gardner on Lead Trumpet Legacy, Maynard High Notes & Surviving the Session Scene

  In this powerful episode of the Louis Dowdeswell Podcast, legendary British lead trumpet player Simon Gardner shares untold stories from decades on the London music scene. From playing with Derek Watkins to discovering Maynard Ferguson, Simon reveals his journey from school band to West End pit, along with heartfelt advice for the next generation. Whether you're chasing a Super C or just trying to survive 8 shows a week, this chat is packed with practical wisdom, hilarious tour stories, and brass geekery you won’t hear anywhere else. Topics Include: Simon’s first trumpet—won by singing a scale Playing along to Glenn Miller, Sinatra, and Maynard Learning by ear vs traditional practice Recording tips for section blend & feel The reality of West End gigs & balancing family life Creating the Super C Big Band in tribute to Derek Watkins 🎧 Listen now and get inspired to embrace your own sound—with all its imperfections. 🕒 Timestamps / Highlights: 00:00 – Intro & warm welcome to Simon Gardner 03:00 – Simon’s hilarious first encounter with the trumpet 07:40 – Learning lead parts from Glenn Miller LPs 11:45 – Hearing Maynard Ferguson for the first time: mind blown 15:30 – Chasing sound over range: lessons from Conrad Gozzo 21:20 – Playing high vs. playing musically 26:00 – Derek Watkins stories & the birth of the Super C Big Band 32:15 – Teaching at RAM: Louis & Simon’s candid lesson memories 36:50 – Recording tips: perfection vs humanity in music 42:30 – “Play behind the beat”—but not too behind! 47:10 – Big band timing, blend & the illusion of perfection 51:50 – Simon’s solo album & multitracking brass sections 55:00 – Time, tone & why sound is your musical fingerprint 59:30 – West End life: the reality behind 8 shows a week 1:04:00 – The biggest change in the London session scene 1:09:20 – Advice to young players: say yes, show up, play everything 1:12:00 – Closing thoughts & gratitude 👉 Join the Trumpet Academy: https://www.skool.com/louis-trumpet-a... #TrumpetPodcast #LouisDowdeswell #SimonGardner #LeadTrumpet #BigBandLife #DerekWatkins #MaynardFerguson #WestEndMusician #TrumpetTips #JazzTrumpet #ConradGozzo #MusicIndustryAdvice #RecordingTrumpet #TrumpetSound #SessionMusician #SuperCBigBand #TrumpetLegends #BrassTalk #TrumpetInspiration #PracticeTips

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