Brian Gorrell

Brian Gorrell serves as Head of the Jazz Studies Division for the University of Central Oklahoma School of Music. Gorrell, a former pianist for the Lawrence Welk Orchestra, also manages operation of the Jazz Lab Recording Studio and teaches Applied Saxophone, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Theory & Analysis, Music Technology, Jazz Improvisation, and Jazz Piano. Mr. Gorrell completed a bachelor's degree in music education from the University of Central Oklahoma and received a master's degree in saxophone performance from Oklahoma City University. Equally proficient on both saxophone and keyboards, Gorrell has produced many album projects including In Some Other World (1995), Soulmates (1999), In The Swing of Christmas (2001), and The Jazz Company Live at the UCO Jazz Lab (2008). In addition to the Welk Orchestra, Brian has performed on saxophone and/or keyboards with such notables as The Manhattan Transfer, Louie Bellson, Phil Woods, Bill Trujillo, Jay Migliori, Jay Daversa, Clark Terry, The Lennon Sisters, Ralna English, Patti Page, Slide Hampton, Kay Starr, Steve Allen, Jim Nabors, Ty England, Diane Schuur, Christopher Cross, The Temptations, The Drifters, and many others. Gorrell has always been passionate about music education and has been aggressive in developing new programs at UCO including the Minor in Jazz Studies and the Master of Music in Jazz Studies with majors in both performance and commercial music production.

Brian is currently booking his band "Brian Gorrell & Jazz Company" and other groups for all types of events.

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