During the late 20th and early 21st centuries, many notable trumpet players made their influence in popular music. Beginning with Louis Armstrong from the 1920's until his death in 1971, and encompassing the diverse styles of Bunny Berigan, Harry James, Al Hirt, Lee Morgan, Chet Baker, Arturo Sandoval, Maynard Ferguson, Blue Mitchell, Miles Davis, Ray Anthony, Dizzy Gillespie, Herb Alpert and Doc Severinsen; to more modern artists like Wynton Marsalis, Wayne Bergeron, Arturo Sandoval, Chuck Findley, Gary Grant, Larry Gittens, Chuck Mangione, Michael (Patches) Stewart and Randy Brecker, the list goes on. But, it can be argued that of all the great trumpet players, one person who doesn't appear on all of the "Top Ten" lists may have had the greatest influence on popular music, as we know it. If you've lived in the Free World any time during the last fifty years and you've had access to music by any medium, you've heard and enjoyed the arrangements and musicality of multiple platinum recording artist, producer and arranger Steve Madaio. His Discography is staggering, and the list of major artists he has performed with, produced, arranged for and recorded with, is unrivaled. Hands down, Steve Madaio has had a profound influence on popular music in the last half century. Over and over again, he has manifested the uncanny ability to bring together diverse elements and produce amazing arrangements that fit the artist's vision perfectly. If you want to feel the magnitude of Steve Madaio's contribution to the industry, take a few minutes and study his Discography at the end of this book.

Stop for a moment on each musical journey he took and put yourself, album by album, into the countless environments he soaked up, writing, arranging and performing with the finest producers, recording artists, songwriters, lyricists and engineers of this time period. You'll begin to understand one facet of Steve's amazing career. Then, imagine all of the tours and performances he experienced in huge venues all over the world, with so many diverse artists. You'll get an idea of the scope of Steve Madaio's reach into our musical history.