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Bruce Menefield

"...Groove is in his heart and horn" Kathy Y. Wilson, Cincinnati City Beat

Saxophonist Bruce Menefield is an outstandingly creative musician. He has developed a unique style of playing a variety of musical genres: jazz, gospel, blues, R&B and world music. Menefield has performed professionally for 35 years where his sweet sound has been heard in top venues, churches and concert halls. He has performed with and among some of the best in jazz such as Billy Harper, Clark Terry, Bennie Maupin, Ronnie Laws and John Blake. Bruce is best known for his big bluesy sound, but he has morphed into a highly spirited improviser, able to create new music on the spot and in the height of the moment.

Menefield is also a leader and a producer. His career is marked by his ability to mix talented musicians into exciting ensembles. The groups he has developed are known to keep a "hard groove" and to deliver a strong musical message. Bruce has produced many live concerts including the "It's Commonly Jazz" series. Bruce highlighted this series with the likes of McCoy Tyner and Hank Crawford. He has written, recorded and produced his own music. His latest CD is entitled "My Steps".

A native of Cincinnati, Ohio where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Xavier University and studied music at the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. He has three children, all of whom are extremely talented musicians.

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127

Festival

Jazz This Week: David Sanborn, Cedar Walton, Vinny Golia Large Ensemble, Frank Catalano, Bruce Menefield, KMOX Jazz and Wine Festival, and More

Jazz This Week: David Sanborn, Cedar Walton, Vinny Golia Large Ensemble, Frank Catalano, Bruce Menefield, KMOX Jazz and Wine Festival, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

It's potentially a very busy week for fans of jazz and creative music in St. Louis, with plenty of noteworthy performances happening over the next few days. Let's look at some of the highlights:This evening, veteran pianist Cedar Walton begins a four-night run with his trio at Jazz at the Bistro. Arriving on the scene in the late 1950s, Walton has worked with heavyweight musicians such as Art Blakey, John Coltrane, Art Farmer, Benny Golson, Abbey Lincoln, J.J. ...

129

Video / DVD

STLJN Saturday Video Showcase: Bruce Menefield Plays "Little Sunflower" and "Circle of Prayer"

STLJN Saturday Video Showcase: Bruce Menefield Plays "Little Sunflower" and "Circle of Prayer"

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

For this week's video showcase, let's get acquainted with saxophonist Bruce Menefield, a mainstay of the Cincinnati jazz scene who's coming to St. Louis to play Friday, September 27 and Saturday, September 28 at Brandt's Cafe and Red Carpet Lounge.For his St. Louis engagement, Menefield will be backed by St. Louis' James Jackson (drums), Jeff Anderson (bass) and Dave Black (guitar). Here, he can be seen with his own band, performing “Little ...

125

Event

Brandt's Schedules Whalum Birthday Bash, Plus Gigs for Saxophonist Bruce Menefield

Brandt's Schedules Whalum Birthday Bash, Plus Gigs for Saxophonist Bruce Menefield

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

Jay Brandt, founder and now impresario emeritus of Brandt's Cafe and Red Carpet Lounge, emails with word of a couple of jazz-related special events at the club next month: On Sunday, September 7, Brandt's will host a 80th birthday celebration for veteran St. Louis jazz pianist, singer and saxophonist Hugh “Peanuts" Whalum (pictured) “complete with cake, balloons and, of course...jazz!!" The event will take place from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., with a $10 donation requested for the ...

"...Groove is in his heart and horn" Kathy Y. Wilson, Cincinnati City Beat

"Bruce Menefield is more than an extraordinary Saxophonist - he's an ambassador for the enrichment of music education for our youth. He is the President and CEO of Omni Works Music, a non-profit organization that provides programs demonstrating the expression and creativity of Jazz music to young people. Bruce is a Humanitarian - pulling together some of the city's most talented musicians to hold the "Help them to Sing Again" benefit for the Haitian children displaced from the earthquake last January.

Bruce has played professionally for over 35 years, collaborating with some of the best artists in the industry, and performed in countless venues.

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Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

My Steps

Black Sax Records
2002

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