Rolf Smedvig

Known as the founder of the Empire Brass Quintet, Rolf Smedvig was more than a virtuoso trumpeter, with the number of his conducting appearances quickly approaching those of his soloist and chamber musician appearances. When he was just 13, Smedvig made his debut with his hometown Seattle Symphony as a trumpet soloist. He made the metropolitan Boston area his home when he decided to study at Boston University and Tanglewood. His teachers included Armando Ghitalla, Rafael Mendez, and Maurice André. The year 1971 was an eventful one for him. He founded the Empire Brass; Leonard...