Locals may have heard Cameron Handel playing trumpet with groups such as the Charleston Jazz Orchestra (CJO), for which she’s a charter member; Super Deluxe; and Sol Driven Train.
But she’s also performed with the North American touring cast of Broadway productions Blast! and Blast 2-M.I.X. and taken the stage with Seal and Will Hoge. For the past three and a half years, she’s toured with Michael Bolton. We caught up with her while she was home on break.
On the trumpet: In sixth grade, it was time to choose an instrument, and my big brother played trumpet. I had to be the tag-along little sister and do the same.
Favorite Michael Bolton song: Recently I was granted a solo performing his cover of “You Are So Beautiful.” That’s definitely my favorite to perform during the show.
Biggest starstruck moment: After playing at a Michael Bolton charity event one night, I heard, “There’s my trumpet player. I used to be a trumpet player myself, you know.” I turned around, and Clint Eastwood was talking to me. I was starstruck during the conversation that followed!
Charleston as a jazz town: The CJO is in its fifth season. The growth, community support, and sold-out shows in the past five years have been incredible thanks in large part to the Jazz Artists of Charleston. I don’t think jazz is going anywhere in this city.
If you could only play one jazz song for the rest of your life: It would be Gershwin’s “Summertime” from Porgy and Bess, which was set in Charleston.
New Year's resolution: To put out my first album!
