Primary Instrument: Trumpet
Craig started playing the trumpet at age 12. Through out high school he excelled in music, earning positions in several honor bands and winning many music awards. After high school he attended Morehead State University where two major events happened: 1) He met his hero and mentor, Mr. Greg Wing, who he credits with instilling within him a work ethic and passion for music that continues to inspire him to this day. 2) Craig discovered and fell in love with jazz music and improvising. While at Morehead Craig received the Musicians Union Performance Scholarship, The Jamey Aebersold Jazz Scholarship and received Outstanding Soloist Awards at the University of Louisville Jazz Festival in 2004 and 2005. He was also selected to be a member of the annual KMEA Intercollegiate Jazz Band three times.
After graduating from Morehead State Craig moved to Louisville, Kentucky where he quickly became a regular member of the cities big band scene as well as doing other freelance work in the area. In addition to playing Craig is also very passionate about music education. For the past 4 years he has been the trumpet instructor at the Don Wilson Music store, he is the co-director of the Don Wilson Music Jazz Academy, he has directed numerous high school jazz bands in the Louisville area and most recently he became the newest member of the trumpet faculty at the prestigious Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshops .
Craig has played with numerous recognized groups and artists including The Temptations, the Bennett Higgins Quintet, The Bobby Falk group, DJ Joe Dubb, The Speakeasy Jazz Orchestra and Mixolegion to name a few. In 2008 and 2009 he was selected as a semi-finalist in the jazz division of the National Trumpet Competition.
From 2008 to the present Craig has been pursuing a double masters degree in both Jazz Trumpet Performance and Composition/Arranging on a full scholarship in the Jamey Aebersold Jazz Studies Program at the University of Louisville. There he studies trumpet with Dr. Ansyn Banks and arranging with the great John Labarbera.
Primary Instrument:
Trumpet
Location:
Louisville, KY
Credentials/Background:
I teach trumpet and improvisation lessons to all ages at Don Wilson Music
(www.donwilsonmusic.com). Don Wilson Music is located at:
215 S Hurstbourne Pkwy Ste 113
Louisville, KY 40222
Please call the store at (502) 394-0224 to schedule a lesson.
