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Stephen Guerra Jr.

Saxophonist, Composer, and Arranger Stephen Guerra currently resides in Miami, FL where he continues coursework for the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Jazz Composition under Gary Lindsay at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL. In addition to his studies, Stephen also teaches courses in jazz arranging, directs small ensembles and has co-directed the award-winning Studio Jazz Band. He is also a member of the Clark Terry Big Band, of which he also serves as the staff arranger. He is the former music director of the Greater Manchester Youth Jazz Orchestra and the New Hampshire Jazz Orchestra.

Stephen received a Masters of Music in Jazz and Contemporary Media: Writing Skills from the Eastman School of Music, a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance from the University of New Hampshire in, and a Bachelor of Arts in Jazz Studies from the Clark Terry Institute of Jazz Studies at Westmar University.

Highly in demand as a composer and arranger, Stephen's music have been performed by the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra (featuring Bruce Hornsby and Friends), the Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra, the New Hampshire Jazz Ensemble, the Eastman Jazz Ensemble, Eastman's New Jazz Ensemble, Eastman's Studio Orchestra, Clark Terry Institute Big Band and The UNH Jazz Ensemble. He has written charts for or performed with numerous jazz artists including Clark Terry, Al Grey, Phil Woods, Milt Grayson, Snooky Young, Marshall Royal, Frank Wess, and Branford Marsalis, among others.

Stephen has studied saxophone with David Seiler, Fred Haas, Charlie Jennison, Frank Wess, and David Glasser, as well as having studied composition and arranging with Fred Sturm, Bill Dobbins, Rob Hudson, Michael Annicchiarico, and Russell Riepe.

Through the Commission Project (www.tcp-music.org), Stephen is currently a composer-in-residence at Manchester Memorial High School in Manchester, NH. In the past, he has also worked with Fayetteville-Manlius High School in Manlius, NY, the Eastman School of Music Jazz Guitar Quartet, and Concord High School in Concord, NH where he works with the school’s Jazz Ensemble and Concert Bands.

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Primary Instrument

Composer / conductor

Clinic/Workshop Information

Stephen Has given clinics on the following topics: Choosing Music for the High School Jazz Ensemble. Arranging for the High School Jazz Band Director. The Saxophone Section: Know your role. Beginning Improvisation: Breaking Away from the Blues Scale.

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