Jeff Gottwig

Jeff Gottwig, a native of the pacific northwest, began his music career on trumpet at eight years of age. In addition to being a student director, his high school experience included concert band, marching band, orchestra, jazz band, and membership in the six time world champion Santa Clara Vanguard drum and bugle corps. He entered the U.S. Army in 1974, serving as a trumpet player/soloist with the 9th Infantry Division Band, Fort Lewis, Washington, the 298th Army Band, Berlin, Germany and the U.S. Army Band Europe, Heidelberg, Germany. After leaving the military in 1980 he moved to Minnesota where he studied at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, receiving his Associates degree in jazz history and performance, and the Bachelor of Science degree in music education, graduating with honors, and completed his Masters in Music Education at the University of St. Thomas. Jeff was the Director of Bands at Farmington High School, Minnesota, for 30 years where he directed or co-directed three curricular jazz ensembles, four concert bands, pep band, and the musical pit orchestra. His concert and small ensembles consistently received superior ratings and his curricular jazz groups are well known for quality. Jeff is active as a clinician and adjudicator around the Midwest. He directed the Grammy Midwest Regional Honors High School Jazz Ensemble and has served as the State Chapter Vice-President of the International Association of Jazz Educators. Special performances by his groups include the Minnesota Music Educators Convention, a special Fourth of July performance at the Minnesota Governor's mansion, awarded a special performance for the 100th anniversary of Carnegie Hall with the Count Basie Orchestra, first place honors at the Eau Claire Jazz Fest, La Crosse Jazz Fest, and the McDonald's Jazz Festivals.

As an active musician around the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, Jeff works, or has worked, with many of the areas top groups including: the JazzMn Big Band (www.jazzmn.org), the Minnesota Orchestra, The Cedar Avenue Big Band, The Fine Line Band, Mick Sterling, The Wolverines, The Minnesota Vikings Band, The Minnesota State Fair Orchestra, The Rupert's Orchestra, The Sevilles, Synergy, George Faber and the Icons, The Brian Kinney Band, RockIt, The Latin Sounds Orchestra, Salsa Blanca, Sabor Tropicale and many other performance situations. His credits as a sideman include Harry Connick Jr., Thad Jones, Steve Allen, Jon Faddis, Bobby Shew, Steve Houghton, Bob Hope, B.J.Thomas, Tony Orlando And Dawn, The Manhattan Transfer, Bobby Vinton, Marlene Ricci, The Four Tops, Otis Day, The Marvelettes, Al Wilson, Sam And Dave, Steve Lawrence And Eydie Gorme, Dionne Warwick, Burt Bacarach, The Glen Miller Orchestra, The Temptations, Little Anthony and The Imperials, Isaac Hayes, Doc Severinson, Ray Charles, and has recorded with Janet Jackson.

Organizations in which Jeff is currently an active member include the Music Educators National Conference, the Minnesota Music Educators Association, the Minnesota Band Director's Association, the Twin Cities Musicians Union Local 30-73, the Minnesota Education Association, and the Farmington Education Association. Show less