Rick... I've heard Doc with an orchestra several times. He was always mic'd. He also used music for every tune.

I love Doc -- you know it -- but, he did work at it. He uses a lot of energy to play the way he does, and honestly, always has.

Mr. Stripling looks as though he's playing a concert Eb Characteristic Study when he's playing everything. Really quite effortless, and his sound is huge. I disagree with the poster that stated his sound isn't as big as Doc's. Never heard Doc Severinsen in any setting without being mic'd. No mic all night long for Stripling and he filled every inch of a LARGE 3000 seat theater.

I love Doc, but Mr. Stripling is a monster trumpet player, albeit he didn't play as much as Severinsen did in his concerts with orchestra. It was a good show, but I wanted more trumpet playing!

My son suggested that perhaps he sings so much to save his chops. I don't believe that for a moment. For heaven's sake, he's played lead for Basie and Dizzy and for the two big national Jazz Bands -- Lincoln Center and Smithsonian -- he has TONS of chops. He sings because he wants to. He could easily play a full hour & half set of trumpet music. He has chops-to-spare.

JP