ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE

ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE

CARL SAUNDERS

STAR TRUMPET - JAZZ CAMP 2008

Jazz listeners living in the Los Angeles area and musicians worldwide have long known that Carl Saunders is one of the great trumpet players around today. Now with the release of four remarkable recordings (Out Of The Blue, Eclecticism, Bebop Big Band, and Can You Dig Being Dug), Saunders’ musical talents can be heard and enjoyed by a much wider audience.
Saunders began playing trumpet in the seventh grade and he quickly found that he had a natural ability, mostly learning to play by ear and never having any lessons. He played in school bands, and after he graduating high school, his mother helped get him a job with Stan Kenton’s Orchestra. Saunders auditioned for Kenton’s band and was given a choice: wait for the first opening in the trumpet section or join the band the following week as a member of the mellophonium section. He chose the latter and spent much of 1961-62 on the road with Stan Kenton.
After spending part of 1962-63 traveling with Bobby Sherwood’s group (playing drums), Carl Saunders settled back in Las Vegas where during the next 20 years he played with a countless number of show bands, including lead with Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennet, and Frank Sinatra. Saunders also traveled as a lead player with Paul Anka and Robert Goulet and with such bandleaders as Si Zentner, Harry James, Maynard Ferguson, Benny Goodman and Charlie Barnet.
In 1984, Carl Saunders moved to Los Angeles where he was soon playing lead trumpet with Bill Holman’s Orchestra, a position he still holds. Saunders has also worked with Supersax, the big bands of Bob Florence and Gerald Wilson, and the Phil Norman Tentet. In 1994, he became a member of the Dave Pell Octet (in Don Fagerquist’s old chair.) In addition, he is often heard at the head of his own groups including the Carl Saunders Big Band, his sextet and a quartet.
Carl Saunders, who enjoys working with young students and conducting clinics, plans to continue playing the straight ahead jazz that he loves most. His recordings show that he is one of the finest jazz trumpeters of the 21st century.

The website 'Learn Jazz Standards' (www.learnjazzstandards.com) is the work of our Faculty member Camden Hughes. Here is a link to an article on his site about the amazing Carl Saunders and some recordings of Carl done at Camp on piano. It's a pretty stunning thing to watch and listen to Carl perform on piano also knowing he's one of the best trumpet players on the planet!

Check it out! You'll be glad you did:

http://www.learnjazzstandards.com/jazz-recordings-case-studies/learn-jazz-standards-exclusive-carl-saunders-plays-piano/

BRUCE FORMAN

http://www.bruceforman.com/about.html

Bruce Forman's guitar playing featured in Clint Eastwood's Academy Award winning film, "Million Dollar Baby"!

“Bruce Forman is one of the great lights of our age.” Barney Kessel, Jazz Times

“Bruce Forman is a wonderful guitarist; extremely versatile and very musical…a first-rate accompanist and soloist.” Kenny Burrell

Bruce Forman’s guitar style has been an important part of the international jazz scene for more than two decades. He has been featured as leader as well as sideman at most of the prestigious festivals and concert venues throughout the world. His numerous recording and performing credits include the likes of Bobby Hutcherson, Ray Brown, Freddie Hubbard, Richie Cole, Joe Henderson, Barney Kessel, and others. Known for his swinging bop-style phrasing and inventive harmonizations, his ability to work in a variety of settings keeps him in constant demand. His guitar work is featured throughout Clint Eastwood’s Academy Award-winning film, Million Dollar Baby .

His devotion to sharing his knowledge—particularly with children—has been a constant throughout his career. Having taught since his late teens, he is keenly aware of the needs of developing musicians and is personally connected to all of his students, many of whom have moved on to successful careers as recording and performing artists. He has served as ‘artist in residence’ at numerous music workshops worldwide, has conducted seminars in conservatories and universities across four continents, is a Resource Team member for the IAJE and a longstanding member of the Monterey Jazz Festival Education Program.

September 2003 commemorated his 21st year at the Monterey Jazz Festival—where he was honored for his contribution to jazz guitar—with a trio performance with special guest Sherman Irby and as a featured member of an all-star tribute to the late Bill Berry.

In 2004, Cow Bop, a jazz and western swing band featuring Bruce Forman won the Route 66 Challenge, having departed Chicago with $100 and no scheduled gigs. The band’s CD, Swingin’ Out West , received wide acclaim and charted on radio in four different categories. In early 2008, as the band's second CD, Route 66, was released, Cow Bop was featured at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, NV, the premiere event of the cowboy world.

In 2005, Bruce Forman joined the Roger Kellaway Trio, a piano, guitar, bass ensemble. The trio's CD, Heroes, was presented with the 'Prix du Jazz Classique' Award in France in 2007.

The 5th Annual Great Basin Jazz Camp July 10th - July 14th 2011 - College of Southern Idaho. Twin Falls

YOU GOTTA BE THERE!