Born: December 19, 1958 Primary Instrument: Trumpet
Bob Lark is a trumpet and flugelhorn player whose performances are especially notable for his lyrical style and fine tone. His harmonically oriented improvisations shift between aggressive and cool playng. In speaking of Lark, jazz icon Clark Terry says, “He's a very good trumpet player, a very good musician. He's paid his dues.
Recently released on the Jazzed Media label is the CD recording Reunion, by Bob Lark and his Alumni Big Band. The Bob Lark/Phil Woods Quintet, which includes prominent jazz artists Jim McNeely, Steve Gilmore and Bill Goodwin, has released three CD's on the Jazzed Media label.
Bob's playing and writing are also featured on the compact disc recordings Until You (2003) and First Steps (1997) on the Hallway Records label. Bob Lark serves as the Chair of Jazz Studies at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, where he directs the university Jazz Ensemble, teaches jazz trumpet and courses in jazz pedagogy and jazz style. Under his direction, the DePaul University Jazz Ensemble has produced several Outstanding Performance Awards from Down Beat magazine, and has recorded albums with legendary jazz artists Clark Terry, Louie Bellson, Bob Brookmeyer, Tom Harrell, Jim McNeely, Frank Wess, Slide Hampton, Bobby Shew, Phil Woods and Chicago Symphony Orchestra members John Bruce Yeh and Charles Vernon.
Bob is an active clinician and guest conductor, and is the past-president of the Illinois Unit of the IAJE, has chaired the International Trumpet Guild jazz improvisation competition, served as the host for the Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Solo Competition, and throughout the 1990's directed the Midwest GRAMMY High School Jazz Band. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in performance from the University of North Texas, having earlier earned a Master's degree from that school and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from The Ohio State University.
“Bob Lark is an exclusive Yamaha performing artist.”
Awards:
2010 DownBeat Magazine awarded Bob Lark with an award for his years of achievement in Jazz Education.Primary Instrument:
Trumpet
Location:
Chicago, IL
Willing to teach:
Advanced students only.
Credentials/Background:
Professor; Director of Jazz Studies at DePaul University, Chicago
