When I first got into playing the trumpet I had another player refer to my desire as a hobby. While I am sure he meant no harm by this — it got under my skin — DEEPLY.

Having a stamp collection is a hobby. Pinning bugs to a board is a hobby. Playing the trumpet and/or learning to play jazz is not a hobby. It is entirely too difficult and demanding to be something as casual as that. To do it well requires a dedication and more importantly – a passion in order to even consider taking it up let alone sticking with it long enough to become good. The thought of me not playing is something I don't even consider. In a short period of time the trumpet and jazz have woven so deeply into the fabric of my life that I don't know where it ends and I begin. It has become a part of me. Hobbies don't have that type of hold on people. It borders on obsession for me and I will be the first to admit it.

Calling my love for jazz trumpet a hobby burns me up almost as much as being referred to as a “wannabe”. The only thing that I “wannabe” is best trumpet player I am capable of being.