Bruce Staelens

Bruce Staelens is a recent arrival from New York City who brings over 20 years of teaching and performing experience to Music Works Northwest. He is a veteran of dozens of Broadway shows (most recently Wicked, Chicago, Curtains, Drowsy Chaperone, and Shrek The Musical), stage shows (including Natalie Cole, Ray Charles, Mel Torme, Johnny Mathis and Regis Philbin), and numerous big bands (including Duke Ellington, Woody Herman, Toshiko Akiyoshi and Arturo O’Farrill.) His jazz career is highlighted by appearances with Elvin Jones, Arturo Sandoval, Charlie Haden, Andrew Hill (Palmetto Records), and Sam Rivers. He was a member of the Hora Decima Brass Ensemble (Summit Records), the Hora Decima Brass Quintet, and the Village Brass Quintet.

Bruce grew up in Orlando, Florida where he studied trumpet with James Ault, assistant principal trumpet with the Florida Symphony Orchestra, and jazz improvisation with Willie Thomas, now a resident of Orcas Island, WA. He graduated from the University of Central Florida and continued with graduate studies at North Texas State University (now the University of North Texas) and private instruction with legendary trumpet teacher Don Jacoby, where he learned the importance of developing specialized programs to suit each individual student.

Bruce and his ensembles have appeared across the United States (including New York’s Blue Note, Birdland, Jazz Standard and Knitting Factory), and throughout Europe, Japan, Canada, and the Caribbean. He currently leads the Bruce Staelens Quintet and co-leads the Smith-Staelens Big Band. Since arriving in Seattle he has performed at Tula’s Jazz Club, the Paramount and Fifth Avenue Theatres, and he is a member of the Jazz Police Big Band and the Brass Reflections brass quintet.

His studio offers studies in both classical and jazz trumpet. Bruce is a clinician for C.G. Conn Musical Instruments and is a member of the American Federation of Musicians, Local 76. www.smith-staelens.com.

Music Works NW is proud to offer individual trumpet lessons with Bruce Staelens. Call 425-644-0988 to register.