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Stan Bock

Stan Bock was born into a musical family. His father was a cornet player and High School band director while his mother was a singer and pianist that also taught private piano students. During his schooling, Stan was always playing in bands directed by his father, Carl, and he eventually even played "tailgate" trombone in his dad's Dixieland band at age 15.

After High School, Stan attended Fort Hays State (Kansas) where he graduated in 1973 with a B.M.E. He then received his M.M. in solo performance from the University of Northern Iowa in 1975. Stan entered the U.S. Air Force Band program in 1975 where he served as trombone soloist and lead player with various groups for over 19 years before retiring in 1994. During his Air Force career, Stan performed on radio, television, and on recordings throughout the United States and Europe. Frequently during these years, Stan appeared as a guest artist, clinician, or adjudicator for High School and College festivals, mainly in the United States. He was also quite active as a freelance trombonist, appearing with a variety of musical groups.

Stan arrived on the Portland, Oregon scene in the mid '90's and has become one of the most called-upon jazz trombonists in the area. He is an active freelance trombonist performing with a full spectrum of musical groups throughout the Pacific Northwest. While Stan has appeared on several recordings, he recorded his first solo jazz CD entitled Of Fathers and Sons in 1999, which is dedicated to his late father. This CD features several of Stan's compositions and arrangements played by some of Portland's finest jazz performers. His latest CD, appropriately named Night Grooves, was released in 2003 and has received much critical acclaim.

Stan is currently teaching low brass and coaches brass ensembles and jazz combos. He brings a long career of playing trombone with various jazz artists to his teaching gig. He continues to appear as a guest artist, clinician, and adjudicator for various music festivals, concerts, and events throughout the United States. He is also on the faculty for the Western Oregon University Mel Brown Summer Jazz Workshop.

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204
Album Review

Stan Bock Ensemble: Your Check's In The Mail

Read "Your Check's In The Mail" reviewed by Edward Blanco


While not a household name in the jazz world, composer/arranger and trombonist Stan Bock has an extensive musical background. He hails from a family of musicians and has two previous recordings to his credit, Of Fathers and Sons (1999) and Night Grooves (2003), both on OA2. Marking his third outing as a leader, Your Check Is In The Mail presents an exciting blend of original charts and uncommon standards delivered in swinging fashion.

Dedicated to the memory of ...

127
Album Review

The Stan Bock Ensemble: Night Grooves

Read "Night Grooves" reviewed by J. Robert Bragonier


Trombonist Stan Bock grew up with the music of horn bands like Blood, Sweat and Tears, Chicago, and the Motown groups. Although exposed early to classic jazz, swing, and the big bands by his music teacher father, he gravitated away from his early heroes (Tommy Dorsey and Urbie Green) and towards Wayne Henderson (Jazz Crusaders), Fred Wesley (James Brown), and James Pankow (Chicago). In those years, it was R&B and soul music that truly caught his fancy.

Bock went on ...

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Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Loveliest

Unknown label
2021

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The Ludlow Affair

Unknown label
2020

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Night Grooves

OA2 Records
2003

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Blues For B

From: Your Check's In The Mail
By Stan Bock

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