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Jon Faddis is a complete and consummate musician - conductor, composer, and educator. Marked by both intense integrity and humor, Faddis earned accolades from his close friend and mentor John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie, who declared of Faddis, “He's the best ever, including me!” As a trumpeter, Faddis possesses a virtually unparalleled range and full command of his instrument, making the practically impossible seem effortless.

Born in 1953, Faddis began playing at age seven, inspired by an appearance by Louis Armstrong on television. Meeting Dizzy Gillespie at 15 proved to be a pivotal beginning of a unique friendship that spanned almost three decades. Shortly before his 18th birthday, Faddis joined Lionel Hampton's band, moving from Oakland, CA to New York. Faddis worked as lead trumpet for the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra at the Village Vanguard (and on tour all around the world), formed his own quartet, and soon began directing orchestras, including the Grammy-winning United Nation Orchestra, the Dizzy Gillespie 70th Birthday Big Band, the Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All-Stars, the Carnegie Hall Centennial Big Band, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band (1992-2002), and the Jon Faddis Jazz Orchestra of New York (2003-present). The Chicago Jazz Ensemble, which celebrated its 40th anniversary at Columbia College Chicago in 2005-2006, named Faddis as its Artistic Director in August 2004. Faddis will continue to conduct both the JFJONY and the CJE in the future. Faddis has also served as guest conductor and featured guest with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.

Faddis’ distinctive trumpet appears on hundreds of records and numerous soundtracks for film and television. Faddis' original compositions include the Jazz opera Lulu Noire (1997) (named a “Top 10” pick by USA Today); other Faddis compositions may be heard on his Grammy-nominated Remembrances (Chesky 1998), Hornucopia (Epic 1991), Into the Faddisphere (Epic 1989), and especially his newest release, TERANGA (Koch 2006).

Faddis' TERANGA features new compositions by the trumpeter, joined by members of the Jon Faddis Quartet - David Hazeltine (piano), Kiyoshi Kitagawa (bass), & Dion Parson (drums) - together with special guests Alioune Faye (sabor), Abdou Mboup (djembe & talking drum), Russell Malone (guitar), Gary Smulyan (baritone saxophone), Frank Wess (alto flute) and Clark Terry (flugelhorn & vocals).

Faddis remains true to the tradition of honoring mentors, regularly leading master classes and clinics worldwide, and also teaching as a full-time faculty member at the Conservatory of Music, Purchase College-SUNY (where he is Artist-in-Residence, Professor & Director of Jazz Performance) and as guest lecturer at Columbia College Chicago.

Whatever the context – classroom or concert hall – and whatever the style, Jon Faddis epitomizes the best in Jazz.

More information may be found at www.jonfaddis.net and www.terangajazz.com.

For Publicity, please contact:

Carolyn McClair Public Relations
Radio City Station
P.O. Box 55
New York, New York 10101-0055
USA
(212) 721-3341
Carolyn@CarolynMcClairPR.com

Jon Faddis, the Jon Faddis Quartet, and the Jon Faddis Jazz Orchestra of New York (JFJONY) are trademarks of Jon Faddis.

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ALSO VISIT:
• THE JON FADDIS JAZZ ORCHESTRA
• THE CHICAGO JAZZ ENSEMBLE