Born: February 17, 1981 Primary Instrument: Guitar
Todd Clouser, a graduate of the Berklee College of Music, is an accomplished guitarist, composer, producer, and writer with credits on over a dozen national releases and a number of albums as bandleader, highlighted by the organic compositions of 2006's “Baja”, 2008's modern groove record “Beatnik Highway”, and his newest collective, Todd Clouser’s A Love Electric, an aggressive, intuitive mash of 70's rock, Curtis Mayfield groove, and modern jazz. With a reputation for energetic and engaging performances, Todd's interest in a synthesis of styles and dedication to craft consistently draws committed crowds healthy in number and have positioned him as an artist increasingly in demand on the international modern jazz scene.
2009 passed as Clouser's brightest year yet, completing an international tour with legendary trumpeter, arranger, and Grammy nominee Steven Bernstein, the two joining as bandleaders backed by members of Guadalajara's Troker and performing to crowds of a thousand plus. Todd's headlining appearances at Minneapolis' Dakota Jazz Club were another highlight, Todd leading his quartet to a full house at the legendary venue. The year also saw performances with modern blues legend Keb Mo, members of the Billy Joel Band, jazz trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, guitarist Jack Sonni of Dire Straits, and a number of other fine and celebrated musicians. Things came to a close in 2009 at Todd's adopted hometown of San Jose del Cabo's city Plaza for the finest and grandest Arts Day Out yet, Todd's non-profit program to celebrate and inspire the youth of Los Cabos, attended by over a dozen organizations, galleries, and interactive art exhibitors, all provided free to the public.
With the release of Todd Clouser's A Love Electric, Clouser is gaining notoriety as a member of a new generation of jazz guitarists who have been equally influenced by rock, groove, and the heroes of jazz, crossing boundaries in composition and performance. Clouser will spend 2011 touring with A Love Electric internationally, the collective of musicians changing to reflect the location, keeping the music in motion. In the US, Todd is joined by emerging national player pianist Bryan Nichols, trumpeter Adam Meckler, upright bassist Chris Bates, and drummer Greg Schutte While in Mexico, A Love Electric features some of the country's most celebrated jazz players - Hernan Hecht on drums and Gilberto Cervantes on trumpet. Other projects include The Beautiful Organ Trio, with Roberto Blanco and drummer Pedro Cervera, and a vehicle for Clouser to continue his reputation as a prolific songwriter, The Hope Tonic, a trio featuring drummer J.T. Bates. In all of his projects, Clouser has an extraordinary ability to put together ensembles of extraordinary musicians, each group maintaining an honesty that would seemingly suffer from the abundance of groups Clouser performs with.
Clouser currently resides most often in Los Cabos, Mexico where he performs regularly at the area's most celebrated venues and teaches privately and with a number of local schools and charitable organizations, while not on tour with his own acts. Todd continues to work with local non-profits in the Los Cabos area, dedicating performances and clinics, and is the founder of Arts Day Out, days to celebrate and inspire the youth of Los Cabos through the arts, absent of money or fundraising. Clouser's writing can be seen in a variety of publications, including Destino Magazine, and regular columns in the Baja's English language newspaper, Baja Pulse.
Todd has studied with Marc Ribot, Jonathan Kreisberg, David Fiuczynski, Medeski Martin and Wood, David Tronzo, Peter Sprague, Berklee profesors Jim Kelly and Mike Ihde, and a number of other jazz and beyond internationally recognized artists.
You can find Todd performing regularly and teaching in Los Cabos and increasingly on the Mexican mainland, with a US run of shows coming a couple times a year.
“Does it all, musically, socially, politically. Enjoy” - Steven Bernstein, Grammy nominated trumpeter ”Todd Clouser has been a Multi talented entity at my studio as an independent engineer, producer, and contributor to tribute record production for me. As well as being an excellent producer, songwriter, singer and musician, his band has recorded here, showing exciting potential to national attention.” - Brian Bart -- winner of multiple Minnesota Music Awards, Logic Recordings, Producer, Engineer, Composer
“plays the piss out of the guitar” - Alex Depue, International Award Winning violinist
“A young, genre-defying guitarist, composer, and writer, Todd Clouser is an accomplished musician across the modern jazz and rock spectrum, leading a unique path to recognition as an up and coming act, performing with musicians from Keb Mo to “downtown” NYC jazz legend Steven Bernstein. Clouser's impassioned performances run from piano balladry to dense jazz and groove, exciting audiences with an approach meant to bend the rules of artistic labeling. “A Love Electric” documents Todd's most aggressive ensemble yet, an energetic quintet based in the stylings of 70's era electric jazz.” - Dakota Jazz Club
“Todd Clouser in coordination with Pez Gordo Gallery and Liga Mac has a huge success on this inaugural ARTS DAY OUT with around 300 kids and their families. Kids met like-minded and interacted with local artists using professional equipment and material while delighting refreshments and having lots of fun.” - BAJA PRESS
“Todd’s care for music is genuine, his love of expression motivating him to fully explore his space in the culture. Whether composing diligently or performing among heroes and legends, he occupies that curious middle ground between his striking talent and his pursuit of humility. In this way, movement is a way of life. The journey is real, and there you will find Todd Clouser enjoying humor, celebrating oddity, and creating exceptional music.” - Musician, Journalist Phil Putnam
“There's no shortage of melody and 1970s-style rock-jazz fusion on his new album, Todd Clouser's A Love Electric.” - Madison Isthmus ”The best thing to happen to Los Cabos since I moved here” - Havana Jazz Club's Sheila Ross
“World famous jazz and funky blues guitarist and Arts Day Out Founder” - Gringo Gazette
“With his youthful looks, Todd Clouser is an accomplished composer and performer, performing an engaging and original blend of jazz, rock, and funk.” - Dakota Jazz Club
“I love (Todd's) angle on music” - Guitarist Peter Sprague
“2nd Arts day Out led by Todd Clouser in coordination with LIGA MAC was a total success!All the great activities of the first and much more this past May 16th. Featuring a chance for our young artists and musicians to interact with some of the area’s finest professionals, showcasing and furthering their talents. Also, the kids has the opportunity to decorate our “YO RECICLO” container for recycling materials and contribute to Los Cabos’ environment.” -- TIENDAS DE PALMILLA
“These guys are really good. Todd Clouser writes catchy tunes that make you want to move.Rock with some groove to it. You should get out and see them now, before you have to pay $50.00 to hear them in concert.” ”This is a really fun band with lots of talent!” - Benny Weinbeck - Internationally recognized jazz musician, producer, composer
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