Joel M. Behrman

Joel Behrman started playing trumpet and trombone at age 9. He grew up in a suburb of St. Louis, a city that has a great legacy of jazz and blues music and musicians. At 18 he moved to Miami and studied with local musicians like Ira Sullivan, Barry Reis and with the talented faculty at the University of Miami. In 1996, while in the middle of his education, he began a tour with K.C. and the Sunshine Band. After five years of juggling college, a teaching assistantship and touring, Joel decided to reconnect with his jazz roots and move to San Francisco.

Joel’s latest ventures include touring with drumming superstar Sheila E and also with her father and Latin jazz legend Pete Escovedo. He has also just released a new staight ahead jazz album entitled “Steppin Back” on his own label.

Joel has been a fixture in the Bay Area for 12 years. He is currently working with several local groups including the Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra, and the Glide Change Band. Joel also works regularly with such local stars as Lavay Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, Lydia Pense and Cold Blood, and former Tower of Power lead singer, Lenny Williams. He has also made appearances with such artists as Natalie Cole, Bobby McFerrin, The Four Tops, The Temptations, The O'Jays, Gladys Knight, Boz Scaggs, Etta James, Tony! Toni! Tone!, The Funk Brothers, Barry Manilow, and Josh Groban.

Awards

Placed in the top 9 of 2012 releases (trumpet category) in 34th Annual Jazz Station Poll conducted by jazz journalist, jazz historian & jazz educator Arnaldo DeSouteiro. Listed as one of jazz critic, Andy Gilbert’s “Favorite Debut’s of 2012”

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