Charles Hargett's Page

I play these instruments...

Bb Trumpet

I perform...

Big Band/Swing, Latin, Pop

Playing Level:

Trumpet Guru, Great player with a day job, Complete Hack!, I'm a good critic

My preferred equipment:

Factory-built stock instrument

I started playing trumpet:

October 1, 1975

My most memorable trumpet experience:

When I played onstage with the legendary Maynard Ferguson; I also played four sold-out nights at Hollywood Bowl for Disney's Summer Spectacular; and anytime I play with my band, The Wiseguys Big Band Machine! One of the highlights of playing with The Wiseguys was when we performed at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, opening a show to be broadcast live on PBS. I've played The Whiskey a Go-Go, The Derby, The Grove, Hollywood Bowl, Disneyland, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Crash Mansion, BB King's, House of Blues,

Personal trumpet aspiration:

I constantly strive for accuracy and consistency, but don't always achieve it. I think these are the two most important things about playing the trumpet.

About Me:

(Quoting liberally from my bio at www.kanstul.com):
Charles Glenn Hargett was born in 1965 and was raised in Southern California. He began his music career at age ten when a family friend encouraged him to take up the trumpet. Charles played in numerous ensembles throughout his school years, and his teachers included Cliff Mount and Dave Evans. Both of his parents were educators, and eventually Charles decided to major in Music Education. He attended college in Riverside, attaining a degree in music. In the early 1990's however, Charles became involved in the wholesale nursery industry. In 1994 he moved to Whittier where he met Naomi Ashley and her three children, Alyssa, Jason and Aja. Charles and Naomi eventually wed and have been together for ten years.

Charles had taken a several-year hiatus from music, during which he devoted himself to starting a family and enjoying a successful career in sales. One day he toured the Kanstul factory with a friend who was visiting from out of town. Charles says that he was immediately inspired to resume a career in music. He describes his position at Kanstul Musical Instruments as an exciting challenge, and that it includes planning and attending trade shows, band instrument sales, marketing & advertising, and artist relations.

A veteran trumpet player, Charles has performed with / opened for / shared the stage with such diverse artists as Maynard Ferguson, Tony Bennett, Louis Bellson, Tierra, The Pointer Sisters, Yakov Smirnoff, Edgar Winter Group, Disney's All-American College Band, Marianna G, Don Abusivo, Cire, Cherry Poppin' Daddies; and was an original full-time member of the Sea World Beach Band. He also has numerous television and radio appearances to his credit, including appearances on Monday Night Live, LATV Live, Vista L.A., Thee Mr. Duran Show, Marty's Corner, and television commercials for Wendy's and Sea World of San Diego. Charles also has extensive pageantry experience including the Tournament of Roses Herald Trumpets, the Riverside Community College "Marching Tigers" and four years in the Velvet Knights Drum & Bugle Corps. He performs regularly with The Wiseguys Big Band Machine, a "rat pack"-style show band. Charles has served on the Board of Directors for the California Youth Academy for the Performing Arts, and is a recent recipient of an L.A. County Volunteer of the Year award.

Charles Hargett would like to acknowledge and thank his family for their love and support of music and the arts.

Additional (not from my official bio):
My "day job" is being the sales & marketing manager for Kanstul Musical Instruments. I've been with the company since 2002, but I have been playing these horns since the very late 70's. My job involves sales and marketing of the Kanstul brand worldwide; I plan and attend all trade shows and conferences; design and maintenance of the website, print advertising and pricelists; plan and implement promotions; handle any customer issues; assist with artist relations; and handle special projects for Zig Kanstul.

Interests:

I have a background is in ornamental horticulture, and so one of my interests is gardening. I'm also a fan of older films from the 40's to the 70's. I read books, from pop to lit to history.

Heroes:

Many

Check out my Website:

http://www.kanstul.com