Brazilian-American trumpet artist, educator, and scholar Luis Engelke is professor of trumpet at Towson University. He performs well over one hundred engagements annually as a soloist and orchestral/chamber musician, serves as Music Reviews Editor for the International Trumpet Guild Journal, and is a Yamaha Performing Artist. Solo appearances have brought him throughout North America, South America, Asia, and Europe, and he has appeared on more than 20 commercially released recordings for the Pro-Arte, Decca, Innova, Aurora, and several other labels. His performances and research into Latin music are highlighted by his first solo CD titled A Brazilian Collection, an anthology published by Balquhidder Music under the same title and containing editions of significant Brazilian solo trumpet works, and many world and modern premieres of Latin-American works for solo trumpet. These include the first performances and recordings of lost works by noted Brazilian composers Claudio Santoro, José Siqueira, and Santana Gomes and first performances of music from the library Mexican-American legendary Rafael Méndez since his passing in 1981. Hailed as “one of the greatest Brazilian talents of his generation” by Isaac Karabatchevsky (former conductor of Orquestra Sinfônica Brasileira), Engelke’s performance has been described as having a “light feel with many beautifully rendered ethnic embellishments,” possessing a “vigor and a tasteful array of rubato,” and a “mastery of the horn [with] many subtle tone colors and always a beautiful sound” (International Trumpet Guild Journal).
As a member of Orquestra Sinfônica Brasileira and Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, Engelke recorded trumpet solos for soundtracks for the films Villa-Lobos: Sua Vida de Paixão and Stories of the Land. He has performed with orchestras all over the world including the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, Phoenix Symphony, Delaware Symphony, Harrisburg Symphony, Kennett Symphony, Mid Atlantic Symphony, Maryland Symphony, Maryland Philharmonic, San Diego Symphony, Springfield Symphony, Ohio Valley Symphony, Annapolis Opera, Harrisburg Opera, Orquestra Pro-Música (Rio de Janeiro), Music at Penn’s Woods Festival Orchestra, Rome Festival Orchestra (Italy), Pro-Music Chamber Orchestra of Columbus, and the Thailand Philharmonic. He has performed with such diverse musicians as Andrea Bocelli, Ricky Martin, and The Moody Blues and Brazilian legends such as Paulo Moura, Ivan Lins, and Ze da Velha. His brass ensemble and chamber music appearances include the Baltimore Symphony Brass Ensemble, Rio Brass Quintet, and Rio Trumpet Ensemble.
One of the most published brass scholars of his generation, Engelke’s writings includes more than 150 publications in the ITG Journal, Euro-ITG Newsletter, Jazz Educators Journal, NACWPI Journal, and Triad. Topp Brass in Switzerland and Triplo Press in the USA published several of his arrangements and editions. His articles include such diverse topics as “Twenty-First Practice Techniques” or the use of modern technologies in brass pedagogy; the history and literature of the trumpet including “Twentieth Century Brazilian Trumpet Works” and the music of Baroque composer Johann Melchior Molter; and jazz education, the national standards, and other education related issues and topics.
The following organizations have supported him through scholarships and grants from the following organizations: CAPES-Fulbright, Music Teachers National Association, International Trumpet Guild, and Rádio Mec. He has taught at Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Conservatório Brasileiro de Música, Arizona State University, Ohio State University, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, and Florida State University Music Camps and appeared as a soloist and presented lectures in many regional, national, and international conferences sponsored by such organizations as the International Trumpet Guild, Music Educators National Committee, and the College Music Society. A frequent lecturer and guest artist, he has presented master classes and recital throughout the world including Appalachian State University, Central Michigan University, the University of Connecticut, West Chester University, Southeastern Louisiana University, Texas Christian University, James Madison University, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (Brazil), and Mahidol University (Thailand).
Share with your friends: |