The Jazz Philanthropists Union presents…

The Graham Bruce Quintet
Graham Bruce – trumpet
Madaline Duran – tenor sax
Grant Levin – piano
Fred Randolph – bass
Andy Dillard – drums

Graham Bruce, with the music genes of his father (a semi-pro pianist), played drums as a child– until he inherited his mom’s father’s trumpet. Through various embouchure difficulties he kept with it through Berklee and several breakthrough experiences: playing with giants like George Coleman, Kurt Lightsey and, on a couple S.F. gigs, Joe Henderson; seven nights a week with Jules Broussard; and fronting his own Bay Area bands, Bobtek, Octagon and Palindrome (with bassist Chris Amberger).

Graham picked up the acoustic bass in 1990 and was quickly doubling on that, and as a writer/arranger, he gradually developed his keyboard abilities as well. His book of original compositions and arrangements contains hundreds of tunes. He was recently heard at Bird & Beckett as the leader, arranger and bassist for a seven-piece group then called Total Rex which is slated to make a return visit to the shop in a couple of months under a new and improved moniker. We’re guessing the naming process is a bit up in the air, so just watch our listings for Graham. No matter what his groups are called, they’re monstrously good.