Born: September 8, 1981 Primary Instrument: Trumpet
Trumpeter / composer Chad McCullough has been on an upward trend for years. He has three critically-acclaimed albums under his own name, several tours around the globe, and has played a key role in countless ensembles and projects. Called “one of Seattle's young musical gems” by Allaboutjazz.com, he's been carving out a name in modern jazz.
He is a member of the West African-inspired group The Kora Band, a group who's latest record Cascades has garnered national attention, peaking at #12 on the World Music Charts, and won NW Recording of the Year in Earshot Magazine.
As a composer, he has scored for film, written for various brass ensembles, dancers, and string quartets and quintets- in both classical and jazz idioms. He is also in high demand as an educator, and frequently speaks about jazz music and the trumpet to students of all ages, giving clinics at high schools and colleges throughout the country. He has been involved with mentoring projects run by the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, and the radio station KPLU, and has done educational outreach in several band programs.
Chad holds a M.M. from the University of Washington, and a B.M. from the University of Idaho, where he was a Lionel Hampton Scholar, and was the first student to graduate with a jazz emphasis on his degree. He has worked in the Disneyland bands, played both piano and trumpet in the Glenn Miller Orchestra, and in 2009 he attended the jazz workshop at the Banff Centre in Canada. He now works closely with John Bishop and Matt Jorgensen for Origin Records and the Ballard Jazz Festival, honoring their commitment to the highest quality jazz music.
Chad is a New York Trumpet Company performing artist, and plays their Classic Flugelhorn.
Awards:
2009 Creative Music Workshop - Banff Centre, Canada2006 Artist Endorsement - New York Trumpet Company
2002 Outstanding College Soloists - Trumpet; Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival
--Ray Vega
“...warm, lyrical...”
--Bill Milkowski, JazzTimes
“**** Reccomended”
--Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
“...a thoughtful improviser with technique to spare... an
impressive first round for one of Seattle's young musical
gems.”
--John Barron, All About Jazz
“McCullough's terrific debut Origin release... has begun to
introduce him to a larger audience, and it is high time he
become appreciated on a level in accordance with his skills
as an improviser and composer.”
- Earshot Magazine
“...Chad McCullough's New 'Dark Wood, Dark Water' is
Real Jazz! I ought to know.. and I do!”
--Dr. Mike Matheny, Radioio.com
Imaginary Sketches
Origin Records
2011
Personnel: Chad McCullough: tpt / flgl
Bram Weijters: piano
Chuck Deardorf: bass
John Bishop: drums
The Sky Cries
Origin Records
2010
Personnel: Chad McCullough: tpt / flgl
Michal Vanoucek: piano
Mark Taylor: alto sax
Dave Captein: bass
Matt Jorgensen: drums
Dark Wood, Dark Water
Origin Records
2009
Personnel: Chad McCullough: tpt / flgl
Geof Bradfield: saxes
Mark Taylor: saxes
Bill Anschell: piano
Jeff Johnson: bass
John Bishop: drums
As A Side Musician
Cascades
The Kora Band
OA2 Records
2010
Personnel: Andrew Oliver: piano
Kane Mathis: kora, guitar & vocals
Chad McCullough: tpt & flgl
Brady Millard-Kish: bass
Mark DiFlorio: drums
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Primary Instrument:
Trumpet
Location:
Seattle, WA
Willing to teach:
Beginners
Credentials/Background:
I've taught private lessons for over 15 years, with many of my students ranking at top levels at festivals and competitions.
Clinic/Workshop Information:
I've worked with Elementary - College bands, as well as choirs, running clinics ranging on topics from improvisation, breathing, rehearsal methods, how to practice, Jazz history, jazz tradition, articulation, rhythm section rehearsals...
Chad has been a clinician for several festivals and schools, including:
Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival
Edmonds Jazz Connection
Kentridge HS
Tyee HS
Kentlake HS
Mountlake Terrace HS
