[Dixielandjazz] Re: PUJE

[Edgerton, Paul A]

Barbone writes:
"PS, For us laymen, it is a tiny trumpet. Same length of plumbing, but
compressed into what looks like a toy."

Steve, since you are a fellow clarinet player, and we reedmen ordinarily
don't notice such details, you are understandably confused. Allow me to
further explain. What you describe sounds like a pocket trumpet. (I have one
of those too.) 

The Pujé (That is the exact name engraved on the bell, and it is pronounced
like the word "pudgy" since it sort of looks that way) is assembled from
standard components, such as Monel valves. It is composed primarily of
cylindrical tubing like a trumpet. It uses a Shepherd's crook bell which has
a unique slide operated by the left thumb, where the first-valve slide might
otherwise be located. The bell and the leadpipe are not parallel, but
diverge at a slight angle. The end of the bell is about even with the
third-valve tuning slide. It is somewhat shorter than a standard trumpet,
but longer than a "short model" cornet. It is most definitely not a toy. 

A Pujé is  played by none other than of Jon-Erik Kelso, for starters, and I
believe Bryan Shaw has used one from time to time as well. They are hand
made by Bobby DeNicola in South Carolina. (His brother is a fairly
well-known drummer) He doesn't have a web page. I don't have his phone
number handy, but I'll send it to anybody who wants to know.

Paul Edgerton,
Who won't play any trumpet in public, Pujé or not, such is my shame.