Paris Gotch, also known as RichType Pierre Tha Great, left a major mark during his time with Texas Southern University’s legendary Ocean Of Soul. Coming from New Orleans, Louisiana, Gotch became one of the most recognizable trumpet figures to pass through the program during the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 seasons, leading the trumpet section through one of the most difficult and defining periods in recent HBCU band history.
During the pandemic era, when college bands across the country were dealing with uncertainty, limited activity, and major transitions, Gotch helped keep the Ocean Of Soul trumpet section moving forward. His 2020 pandemic section, known as the “12 Soldiers,” became an important foundation for the sections that followed. That group helped set the tone for later trumpet sections, including the highly regarded 2022 section and the newer classes that continue to build on that standard today.
Paris Gotch was more than just a strong player. He became a central figure within the section, helping shape its sound, confidence, and identity. From 2019 through spring 2022, he was viewed as one of the key names holding the trumpet section together and pushing it toward becoming a powerhouse. His playing, leadership, and presence helped make the 2020 trumpet section one of the most respected groups of its era.
Many in the HBCU band community remember that section for its strength, togetherness, and sound quality. Some have even placed it among the best Ocean Of Soul trumpet sections in recent memory, with comparisons to strong sections from the 2010s and even respected groups from the Simmons era. For Gotch, that short but impactful tenure at Texas Southern helped turn his name into a nationally recognized one within the SWAC and broader HBCU band world.
Part of his influence also came through the players he helped mold. Paris Gotch helped develop and guide trumpet players such as Micky Levon, who later became a trumpet section leader himself during the 2024-2025 season and went on to play with Beyoncé. That kind of influence shows how Gotch’s impact extended beyond his own time in the section. He helped shape players who would go on to build their own legacies.
Gotch also helped rebuild the section alongside other well-known trumpet players in the Ocean Of Soul, including Emmette Davis, Jared Whitehurst, Ross Steward, and Joshua Hunt. Together, they helped restore strength, confidence, and recognition to a section that would become one of the most talked-about in the HBCU band community.
His viral social media moments also played a major role in his rise. Between 2020 and 2022, Paris Gotch became arguably one of the most viral trumpet players in the HBCU band world. Clips of his performances spread across social media, gaining attention from fans, musicians, and band supporters across the country. Recently, he posted another clip under his @Pierrethegreat93 and @theprinceoftrumpets tags that has continued gaining traction online, reminding people of the energy and presence that made him stand out.
Before becoming RichType Pierre Tha Great, Gotch also went by Razamon B during his high school years. As a former student of Upbeat Academy in the Greater New Orleans Area, his musical roots were already forming long before he became a known figure in the Ocean Of Soul. That early foundation helped prepare him for the stage, discipline, and pressure of performing at a high level within HBCU band culture.
Today, Paris Gotch’s legacy continues through his music, his influence, and the trumpet players he inspired. His story is one of talent, leadership, and timing. Though his tenure at Texas Southern was relatively short, his impact was large enough to make him a national household name on trumpet across the SWAC and HBCU band community.
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