Noel Ingrassia
As a trumpet player myself, I would say Harry had the best tone....angelic. Mendez played like a machine gun, deadly accurate, but without a lot of feeling, IMO. Al Hirt was fabulous. Herseth is terrific, fifty years at the first chair of our Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Jonah Jones tone was a bit thin. Chet Baker played simply, softly, sang like a lonely child. Wynton also can play, but rather soulless. Doc Severinsen could play anything and I never heard him flub a note. Uncanny.