David Nakazono
David Nakazono is the Principal Trumpet of the Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra, dividing his time between Honolulu and Chicago, where he performs with Lakeshore Brass, the South Bend Symphony, and other ensembles across the Midwest. David’s passion for the trumpet took root in his youth, where he quickly developed a strong dedication to the instrument. He later pursued dual studies in Physics and Trumpet Performance at UC Santa Barbara, ultimately realizing his true calling as a musician. After earning his Master’s degree at the Chicago College of Performing Arts and training with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, he co-founded Lakeshore Brass, where he brings his passion for music and performance to the ensemble. Whether performing as a soloist, with an orchestra, or in a brass quintet, David strives to create a uniquely human connection through the transformative power of music.
Q & A
What drew you to your instrument? How did you pick it?
I don’t think I intentionally chose the trumpet, but somehow it chose me, or maybe I was born to play the trumpet. That might be a bit narcissistic of me, but, then again, I do play the trumpet.
My trumpet story begins at California High School in San Ramon, CA where two young trumpeters sat side by side in band. She was first chair; he was second chair, and he never challenged her seat.
Sometime later, they’re married and on a car ride with a little me in the back seat. Apparently, giving me a mouthpiece to buzz on was a great way to have a quiet car ride or at least trade the baby cries for a very large and annoying mosquito. I’m not sure which I would prefer, but I guess I still buzz on long drives. I remember none of this, but there are some photos of a trumpet-tooting toddler in my mom’s photo album.
My parents formally introduced me to music with the piano when I was 6 years old. I enjoyed the piano and practiced regularly, but I wasn’t obsessed. It was just another thing I did; I never took it that seriously.
The summer of 2007 brought many changes. I moved from Germany to South Carolina, was starting 7th grade, and was moving up to middle school. Middle school brought new opportunities, and my parents brought up band. I felt pretty neutral about it, as I had no idea what I was getting into. I’ve always been open to trying new things, so I said sure, I’ll join band. With that decision, my parents handed me one of their Schilke S32’s, showed me the basics, and, from then on, the trumpet became my voice. I can’t imagine playing any other instrument.
All this could have only lasted the summer before 7th grade, as the band director was adamant that students had to start in 6th grade. However, my mom was unrelenting. Thanks, Mom!
Is there an experience or moment in which you decided to pursue music professionally?
I can pinpoint this moment to a Thursday morning, around 3 am, in January of 2016. Before I go any further, I have to first provide some background. Becoming a professional musician was not my outset going to college. I attended UC- Santa Barbara as a Physics major. I was in my Junior Year of college and starting to look into Ph.D. programs for Physics and Engineering while preparing for the Physics GRE. As I was getting ready to fire all cylinders down this career path, I went home for Christmas break. There, my dad asked me a truly revealing question: “When are you going to quit trumpet?” I was taken aback and offended, but I simply responded, “I don’t know.” With that question, he had pointed out a stark reality: were I to pursue a graduate education in Physics, I would not have the time to continue my pursuit of trumpet.
Now, back to that Thursday morning, or rather, the Wednesday night before. It was syllabus week starting the winter quarter at UCSB, so there simply wasn’t much to do: no homework, no studying, and practicing was done. I was browsing for something to watch when Mozart in the Jungle on Amazon Prime caught my attention. I started the first episode, and, hours later, after being immersed in an (overly) dramatic portrayal of a classical music lifestyle, I knew what I was going to do with my life: music.
Now, my brain hadn’t quite finalized my heart’s decision, but I continued to binge season after season until 5 am when I realized I should probably sleep some before my 7 am lesson. I took a quick 1-hour nap and headed off to the music building to warm up, energized by a new sense of direction in life.
What does music mean to you? Why is it important?
Music is my voice. It’s a medium through which I feel pure freedom to express my emotions, my thoughts, my story, me. There’s just something about music that connects us with ourselves, the people around us, and the universe itself. Stories, ideas, and so much more can be communicated and expressed through music in the absence of words; it transcends all human constructs. It operates on a foundational phenomenon of the universe- resonance. Music is literally good vibes.
What sort of challenges and obstacles have you faced as a musician or instrumentalist? How did you overcome them?
One of the hardest things about playing a brass instrument is figuring out how to play the darn thing! I don’t think I’m alone in saying that overcoming the physical obstacles of playing a brass instrument is a never-ending journey. Each and every day is a little different. How the sound comes out varies depending on what you ate, what you drank, how you slept, what you played the day or days before, and so many other factors. So, how do you bring the horn to your face and know that it’s going to come out right? Practice is most certainly vital. Experimentation often comes into play. Faith, trust, and confidence are required.
For me, though I’ve made many a step in the wrong direction when it comes to mechanics, the key to making consistent progress is having as clear an idea of the sound you want to create and always striving to achieve it. I remind myself every day that I want to make the most ringing and resonant sound, with a clear and percussive articulation, and with the minimum necessary effort. Find the ring, spit it out, and relax!
Do you have any non-musical hobbies or passions? Do they affect your approach to music?
Yes! Everything! The more I learn about trumpet and music, the more I’ve come to realize the importance of the middle path. The path of least resistance, using the minimum necessary force, whatever way you want to describe the method for finding efficiency. I first practiced these principles in my trumpet playing and have since applied them in various areas of my life including lifestyle, golf, driving, posture (Alexander Technique), running, and I’ll try it in whatever I can think of next!
But, for a normal answer to this question, I like golf, cars, reading, learning, video games, biking, staying active, and testing my limits–which, as I write this, I am realizing is a fairly central personality trait. I like to do things on the extreme side. That takes us back to trumpet and my often detrimental approach to dynamics, range, and stamina. I really should listen to my own advice!
What non-musical aspects of Lakeshore Brass do you enjoy most?
Everything! The best thing about being in a small ensemble is that we get to pick who is a member. Also, because the ensemble is so small, many other factors become drastically important beyond musical ability. Yes, technical ability on the instrument is paramount, but personality, sound, musical voice, adaptability, stage presence, public speaking, business acumen, and even availability are also major factors.
With that in mind, Lakeshore Brass is made up of a bunch of incredible musicians who are also incredible people. They’ve become some of my best friends.
How would you describe what makes Lakeshore Brass musically unique?
I think our constant aim for purity and clarity in sound, articulation, and musical intent combined with our relentless commitment to the music in character, energy, and conviction is what makes Lakeshore Brass unique. We don’t hold back.
How do you navigate creative differences or divergent musical interpretations within the ensemble?
The size of the ensemble in chamber music is one of the key characteristics that sets it apart from orchestral music or other larger ensembles. Not only does this change the sound of the music, but it drastically changes the role of each instrument and each musician.
In an orchestra, it’s necessary to have a central figure (conductor) that dictates how the music should be interpreted and performed in a somewhat tyrannical manner. Everything comes from the conductor, and what the conductor says goes. Individual musicians don’t necessarily get a say or their own voice. This is a necessary sacrifice that serves the greater purpose of an orchestra. Without a unifying idea, how could the musical message or story be told? Imagine 100 different stories, ideas, and interpretations being shouted at you all at once, or trying to decide which interpretation of 100 will be used to tell that story. It would be incredibly inefficient and virtually impossible to get anything done in the few rehearsals before a concert.
Now, cut that ensemble down to 1/20th of the size (5 musicians), and a different approach to preparing the music becomes possible. In a quintet, we can run much more democratically. Considering 5 unique approaches and interpretations can actually be done. Although rare, there are times when we will play a section of a piece 5 different ways varying tempo, dynamics, balance, style, articulation, and all sorts of other variables that you can consider in a musical interpretation. This is one of my favorite aspects of chamber music. Rather than being an instrument technician who gets momentary musical independence (if at all), in chamber music, you really get to be a complete musician. The decision power rests in your own hands.
What's your guilty pleasure music? What do you like about it that is different from what you typically perform?
I listen to a lot of classical music, primarily orchestral and trumpet-centric music. However, I do really enjoy blasting some ska while driving down the highway with the windows down. Maybe it’s nostalgic of my childhood, maybe it’s the horn section, or maybe it’s the speedy beach vibes, but I just dig it.
What's a hobby or skill you've always wanted to pick up but haven't yet?
I’ve always been fascinated with the martial arts. Maybe I’ll take it up soon. I’ve got to work on balancing my lifestyle away from work.