about al guraliuk

"As a performer and an entertainment consultant, I have an understanding of the needs of both the client and the talent. This experience enables me to ensure both parties are happy, which is a guaranteed recipe for success" - Al Guraliuk

Since receiving a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of British Columbia in 1979, Al Guraliuk has been actively involved in Vancouver's musical community.

He has traveled to New York, New Orleans, Havana and Rio to further study music. This exciting trumpeter is leader of Champagne, a nine piece party band, The Champagne OrchestraThe Gastown Strutters Dixieland Band and The Al Guraliuk Jazz Quartet, in addition to being involved with numerous other projects. As a jazz musician, Al strives to attain a balance between emotion and technique and, above all, a sound that really swings.

He has been a featured jazz soloist at concerts held at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre and The Arts Club Theatre.

With a natural flair for showmanship and a commercial approach to music, Al is an ideal dance band leader. His dance band has performed at numerous events including The Vancouver Police Ball and the Grant Thornton International Gala which also included David Foster and Bryan Adams.

As Musical Director, Al has performed with the late Danny Kaye, headlined Las Vegas acts like Danny Gans & Fred Travelena and with many of Vancouver's finest performers such as Dee Daniels, Denzal Sinclaire, Tom Arntzen and Tania Hancheroff.

The combination of Al's musical credentials  and extensive business experience provides him with the rare trait of being both creative and organized. Al is President of Total Entertainment Network which has set new standards in the entertainment industry providing exemplary service and talent since 1986.

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It's Been a Long Long Time

Meditation

Picture This

Summer Camp

trumpet bio

Music moves me. I spend most every minute toward the goal of being a better musician with hopes I can move other people... or at least entertain them!

After over 40 years of playing the trumpet I think the key is to find continued joy in music. I have sustained my love for music by pursuing the endless quest of learning and growing as a musician. I make of point of professional development and have attended numerous workshops and master classes in addition to musical retreats at Jazz Port Townsend and The Banff Centre. I have also attended two International Trumpet Guild Conferences and always enjoy the camaraderie amongst trumpet players.

 

I have played “ The Girl From Ipanema” in Rio de Janeiro, “Carnival Venice” in Venice, “Cubano Chant” in Havana and “Bourbon Street Parade” in New Orleans. I once sat in at a Trad Jazz club in Vienna that was located in the basement of an old church that had been converted into a retirement home for members of the Communist Party. I played “Royal Garden Blues” and other Dixie tunes with a bunch of German speaking musicians ... and drank a lot of beer. After practicing in the basement for 2 hours a day for 40 years I find great joy in knowing I can go any where in the world and “sit in”!

Education:
1979 Bachelor of Music - University of British Columbia

Private lessons with:
Jens Lindemann | Laurie Frink | Alain Trudel | Donny Clark | Bobby Shew | Gary Guthman | Martin Berinbaum    Kenneth Hopkins

Attended master classes / workshops with the following artists:
Terrance Blanchard | Pete Christlieb | Mark Gould | Larry Knopp | Marvin Stamm | Byron Stripling | Bill Watrous | Kenny Werner | John Clayton | Jon Faddis | Jeff Hamilton | Ian McDougall | Lew Soloff | Allen Vizzutti | Mike Vax | Phil Woods

Current Rehearsal Ensembles:
City Brass Quintet | Urbana Big Band | Sanctuary All-stars Big Band

trumpet stuff & gear

Hi! Thanks for checkin’ out my web site. These pages are intended for trumpet nerds only but everyone is welcome to browse. …although, unless you are REALLY interested in what type of trumpet mouthpiece I play you may want to hit the “ back” key. If you ARE interested in trumpet stuff then I am pleased I could share this information with you.

trumpet links

The web is a great source of information. Check out these links:

I have always been a great fan of Bobby Shew for his exceptional jazz AND lead playing. He is a dedicated clinician who has helped me become a better trumpet player. Bobby’s web site is www.bobbyshew.com.

I believe in resting as much as you play while practicing. I spend every morning warming up and reading www.trumpetherald.com while I rest. It is the best trumpet information web site I have come across.

Other links:
www.monette.net
www.marcinkiewicz.com
www.trumpetsolo.com
www.waynebergeron.com
www.rogeringram.com
www.trumpetguild.org
www.bbtrumpet.com
www.trumpetstuff.com

I play a custom Marcinkiewicz Bb Trumpet Rembrandt SC Three X.7 ML bore with a reverse lead pipe. I went down to visit Joe Marcinkiewicz and his team last year to help a friend buy a trumpet. I was a little bit like Goldilocks and found each of the trumpets too dark or too bright. I really enjoy a horn that gives me the versatility to sound like Doc or Chet depending on the gig. A few months later Andy Fuller from the shop called me and said they just built a medium large horn with a huge Mic Gillette bell. 

When he played it he knew it would be just right for me. Andy was kind enough to drive up to Vancouver to deliver the trumpet. It is a wonderfully crafted instrument with amazing response. The horn plays very soft and cozy but still screams in the upper register. I have never played a trumpet that gave me such versatility! Many fine players are using Marcinkiewicz and I encourage you to check out their web site

The same road trip we stopped off at the Monette factory. We spent a day hangin’ with Dave Monette and his staff. Dave has a very holistic approach to the trumpet and suggested that I did not need trumpet lessons….. I needed to go back to yoga!! We spent the day eating pizza and talking trumpet. Dave is a pioneer who is taking the trumpet to the next level.

Many web sites have endless discussions about the pros/cons and cost of Monette equipment. The guy is very smart and very passionate. The Monette team fitted me with a set of mouthpieces that are perfect for my requirements. The mouthpieces are simply easier to play. They slot better, feel better, play better and sound better than other mouthpieces. Check out Dave’s web site. 


Close to the end of this road trip I asked my girlfriend to pass me a straw at the 7-11. She turned all red in the face and flipped out shouting “what size straw would you like…. the .007 or the .008 ‘cuz there is a 1000th of a ml difference between the two plus they are available silver, gold, brushed gold, and silver with gold accents!” Words of advice…if you are taking your sweetie on a trumpet road trip make sure you take her out for dinner in appreciation for her support! 


my gear

Marcinkiewicz Bb Trumpet: Rembrandt SC Three X.7 ML RLP
Bb Yamaha Flugelhorn:
YFH 731
Schilke P5-4:
Bb/A Piccolo Trumpet
Monette Mouthpieces:
Prana B6L 81 (lead),  Prana B6LD 81 (jazz)
Monette FLG6L Mouthpiece
Monette Prana BP6L and AP6L Mouthpieces *

*These revolutionary mouthpieces are pitch-specific, meaning that an A piccolo mouthpiece is designed for use only on A piccolo, and a Bb piccolo mouthpiece is designed for use only on Bb piccolo

Besson Sovereign, Model Cornet
Yamaha Eb/D Trumpet,
YTR 66105
Bach Strad C Trumpet,
Model 229 CL
Benge Bb Pocket Trumpet

Contact Al at Email: aguraliuk@tenbc.com