Bob Brookmeyer
NEA Jazz Master Bob Brookmeyer first achieved prominence playing with Stan Getz, Gerry Mulligan and Jimmy Giuffre in the 1950s. He was co-leader with Clark Terry of a memorable quintet from 1961-6, and he was also a founding member of the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis band. Starting with the late 1960s, he became increasingly active as a freelance writer and studio musician, first in New York and then in Los Angeles. As well as continuing to compose more complex works, he has taught arranging and composition in New York and Holland and performed in duo with Jim Hall. He was appointed composer/conductor of the Danish Radio Big Band from 1996-7, and has retained a base in Europe while also teaching at the New England Conservatory. Bob is recognized as the greatest valve trombone player in the history of jazz and a composer and orchestrator respected around the world.
