Primary Instrument: Trombone
Stan Bock was born into a musical family. His father was a cornet player and High School band director while his mother was a singer and pianist that also taught private piano students. During his schooling, Stan was always playing in bands directed by his father, Carl, and he eventually even played “tailgate” trombone in his dad's Dixieland band at age 15.
After High School, Stan attended Fort Hays State (Kansas) where he graduated in 1973 with a B.M.E. He then received his M.M. in solo performance from the University of Northern Iowa in 1975. Stan entered the U.S. Air Force Band program in 1975 where he served as trombone soloist and lead player with various groups for over 19 years before retiring in 1994. During his Air Force career, Stan performed on radio, television, and on recordings throughout the United States and Europe. Frequently during these years, Stan appeared as a guest artist, clinician, or adjudicator for High School and College festivals, mainly in the United States. He was also quite active as a freelance trombonist, appearing with a variety of musical groups.
Stan arrived on the Portland, Oregon scene in the mid '90's and has become one of the most called-upon jazz trombonists in the area. He is an active freelance trombonist performing with a full spectrum of musical groups throughout the Pacific Northwest. While Stan has appeared on several recordings, he recorded his first solo jazz CD entitled Of Fathers and Sons in 1999, which is dedicated to his late father. This CD features several of Stan's compositions and arrangements played by some of Portland's finest jazz performers. His latest CD, appropriately named Night Grooves, was released in 2003 and has received much critical acclaim.
Stan is currently teaching low brass and coaches brass ensembles and jazz combos. He brings a long career of playing trombone with various jazz artists to his teaching gig. He continues to appear as a guest artist, clinician, and adjudicator for various music festivals, concerts, and events throughout the United States. He is also on the faculty for the Western Oregon University Mel Brown Summer Jazz Workshop.
