At darkest dawn, trombonist Steve Trapani rises to catch a flight to Sacramento from Long Beach for a rehearsal that will set in motion a mind-boggling nine-day commute of 2,165 miles.

Trapani’s flying earns him entry into a small subset of musicians known as “jetway philharmonic.” They spend more time in the air than they do on the concert stage.

Why does he do it?

“People like to say that musicians face these hardships because ‘We’re doing what we love,’ but that seems kind of hollow,” said Trapani. “All I know is that I’m compelled to do it. Plus, nothing re-creates the feeling you get when you’re in the middle of an orchestra during a beautiful moment in music.”

Lots of local readers will recognize that name (I worked with his wife, flutist Rena Urso-Trapani, in Merola this last summer.), I’m sure.

RTWT