Born: July 21, 1977 Primary Instrument: Trumpet
Jazz trumpeter Thomas Heflin is a rising star in the jazz world. He has been featured or mentioned in Italy's Jazz Magazine, The Pittsburgh Tribune Review and The International Trumpet Guild Journal among others. In 2005, he placed second in the Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Solo Competition in Seattle, WA, an event which was judged by jazz trumpet greats Ingrid Jensen, Terell Stafford and Scott Wendholt. While Heflin's style is unique and personal, it is firmly rooted in the traditions of jazz.”I'd say I'm most heavily influenced by Clifford Brown, Louis Armstrong, Nicholas Payton, Woody Shaw and Freddie Hubbard. My style is a mix of all of those different elements, both modern and traditional. I think it's important to know the history of the music and to incorporate it into your playing because it gives you more depth.”
Heflin is a recording artist for Blue Canoe Records. His debut album “Symmetry,” which featured renowned pianist James Williams, was released in 2007 to rave reviews. Heflin is slated release two additional albums in 2009 and 2010: “Introducing the New 5” and a collaborative CD with Ron Westray, former lead trombonist with Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.
As a regular featured soloist with the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra, Heflin has performed with the likes of Hank Jones, Wycliffe Gordon, Mulgrew Miller, James Moody, and Monty Alexander and recorded with Stefon Harris, Donald Brown, Gregory Tardy and John Clayton. He has also toured Europe playing festivals such as the Montreux Jazz Festival, the Ezcaray Jazz Festival, and Jazz a Vienne as well as performed in clubs in Paris, France and San Sebastian, Spain. Outside of the KJO, Heflin has performed in a professional capacity with the likes of James Williams, Vincent Herring, Donald Brown, Lou Rawls, Eric Revis, Adonis Rose and Neal Caine.
Thomas Heflin is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, where he studied with jazz education luminary, Jerry Coker. He recieved his masters degree from the internationally renowned jazz department at William Paterson University. Heflin recently completed a doctorate in Music Performance (Jazz Emphasis) from the University of Texas, Austin. He currently lives and performs in New York City where he works as the Program Coordinator of the Precollege Division at the Manhattan School of Music.
Awards:
2nd Place Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Solo Competition Seattle, WA 2005“His original compositions both reflect his classic influences while demonstrating he clearly has his own voice.” -Daisy Riprock Austin Daze
“Hefllin's playing is as strong as his conception of music.” -Bob Karlovits Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
“A fluent trumpeter with a bright tone and a forward-looking style...” -Scott Yanow All Music Guide
“Heflin shows maturity beyond his years.” -Glenn Astarita jazzreview.com
“The CD is the extension of a charismatic leader with an innovative style who has the heritage of Clifford Brown and Lee Morgan, but who does not forget the lessons of Freddie Hubbard...” -Marco Maimeri Jazz Magazine
Live From Austin (Co-leader with Ron Westray)
Blue Canoe Records
2010
Featuring Eric Revis, Adonis Rose and Neal Caine
Introducing the New 5 (Co-leader)
Blue Canoe Records
2009
Symmetry
Blue Canoe Records
2007
Featuring James Williams
As A Side Musician
Blues Man From Memphis: More from the Musical Mind of Donald Brown
The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra
Blue Canoe Records
2007
Featuring Stephon Harris, Gregory Tardy and John Clayton and Donald Brown
Love and Circumstances
Christabel and the Jons
Independent
2006
A Year in the Life of the Band
The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra
Independent
2002
One For the Team!
The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra
Independent
2001
The Music of Donald Brown
The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra
Independent
2000
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Primary Instrument:
Trumpet
Location:
New York, NY
Willing to teach:
Beginners
Credentials/Background:
Assistant Instructor
University of Texas, Fall 2006 to present – Teaching a 120-student Jazz
Appreciation lecture course.
Instructor
University of Tennessee, Summer 2005 – Instructor for a non-credit Jazz
History course
Instructor
Knoxville Youth Jazz Orchestra, Spring 2005 – Assisted in directing a big
band of the area’s best high school jazz students
Adjunct Professor/Brass Instructor
Roane State Community College, Spring and Fall 2003, Spring 2005 – Taught
private brass lessons and a Music Appreciation course
Assistant Director of Music Admissions/Graduate Assistant
William Paterson University Music Admissions Office, 2000-2002 –
Coordinated the day-to-day operations of the music admissions
office
Contact me for rates
Clinic/Workshop Information:
I am currently available to teach lessons or give masterclasses on a wide
variety of topics including trumpet playing and jazz improvisation. I am also
available as a jazz ensemble or combo coach or jazz camp instructor. To get
a sense of my teaching philosophy, feel free to download several pdf
documents on my website at www.thomasheflin.com. I am also available to give
lectures on a number of topics having to do with jazz trumpet history and
analysis. Please contact me for further inquiries.
