photo: r.r.jones, Kuumbwa jazz’s official shutterbug extraordinaire
Brian Fitzgerald (7- and 6-string guitars) is an active member of the Bay Area music scene. An accomplished jazz guitarist and teacher, he draws from a deep musical background and education, covering a wide range of influences. He has toured and performed extensively as both a sideman and band leader. In addition to a wealth of studio and recording experience, he is well versed in both jazz and classical theory and composition, and has had years of experience writing and arranging for big bands, R&B groups, and jazz ensembles.
A short list of the venues includes Monterey Jazz Festival, Cabrillo Music Festival, Los Gatos Fiesta de Artes, Bing Music Series at Stanford, Santa Cruz Jazz Festival, Scotts Valley Art & Wine Festival, Capitola Art & Wine Festival, Artichoke Festival, Begonia Festival, and Jazz On The Wharf.
He is the dynamo behind the scenes at Kuumbwa Jazz who handles all the education programs (including their Summer Jazz Camp) and manages all the booked artists. Happily, Brian elaborated recently on his work behind the scenes:
“I just finished up directing and teaching at Kuumbwa’s ten day, annual summer jazz camp. It was a huge success with a record number of kids. To see where they start and where they end up at for the final performance is amazing. They just get better and better and at younger ages. It is another truly humbling experience. I am very grateful and lucky to play a small role in both the growth of these kids as well as keeping jazz alive. I feel more optimistic about the future and that we will be leaving our art in good hands.
I have done everything from staff writer, marketing, IT, web site design, writing code, data base, ticketing and reservations, donor relations and customer service to parking lot attendant and everything in between, including sound, lights, production, show advancing, booking, producing and security. However my main duties now are artist contracts, finances, advancing shows and liaison between agents, tour managers, artists and our staff. Whatever it takes to get the artist on the stage and show off the ground.
My other main job is managing and running Kuumbwa’s Education Programs.
These include:
– Kuumbwa Jazz Honor Band
– Artists In Schools
– Master Classes and Clinics
– Summer Jazz Camp
I am very proud of what we have accomplished in these programs.
My actual bio is long and boring, but diverse and very Irish. It includes much formal classical and jazz training and education, some great programs and teachers, tons of coffee and endless hours of disciplined practice.”
Oh, and he has his own Trio and performs 3-4 nights a week. Brian assures me he is working on a website for the Trio and I look forward to posting it when he finishes it! 🙂
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Beautiful photography by r.r.jones
