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Jeff Presslaff

Jazz pianist, trombonist, and composer/arranger, JEFF PRESSLAFF, has become a mainstay of the Winnipeg jazz scene since moving from New York in 1997. Born in Manhattan, educated at Princeton and Wesleyan Universities, he has had a varied career working with many distinguished jazz and avant- garde musicians, including Benny Carter, Bill Barron, Ed Blackwell, Roswell Rudd, Sheila Jordan, Howard Levy, Stanley Jordan, George Garzone, Steve Nelson, Edgar Meyer, Sim Cain and many others.

Jeff is also a teacher of great distinction, having served on the faculties of Princeton University, Bard College, Union College, and several others. Since his arrival in Winnipeg, he has been the teacher of choice for many of the city's top musicians.

Jeff is featured as a player, writer and/or producer on several recent recordings: Crooked Cha and Amanecer, latin/jazz albums by Papa Mambo; Steppin' Out and The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra by the WJO; Aliza Amihude's small girl;Big Banana; Dave Lawton's Shield Romp; and recordings by CBC of Ozmium, his free-improv trio. He's also featured on several recordings on the exploratory Inter/play label, and on albums by Boston singer/songwriter, Arthur Nasson, and Swedish singer/songwriter, Elisabeth Gerle. His 1991 album of original compositions, Collective Unconsciousness features the late Steely Dan saxophonist, Cornelius Bumpus, and Ui bassist, Wilbo Wright. He has also recorded the piano works of composers J. K. Randall and Benjamin Boretz. His writing and playing have been featured on recordings by Ken Gold, Prudence Johnson, The University of Manitoba Jazz Ensemble, Ron Paley, Bossa Norte and Jodie Borle. His compositions and instrumental work have been heard nationwide on CBC, and he has received five commission awards from the Manitoba Arts Council.

Awards

2013 Western Canadian Music Awards Nomination for Jazz Album of the Year 2009 Just Plain Folks Music Awards Nomination for Best Jazz Instrumental Song 2009 Billboard World Songwriting Contest Finalist, Honourable Mention 2004 Manitoba Jazz Musician of the Year Numerous commissions supported by the Manitoba Council for the Arts New Jersey Arts Council Individual Artist Grant


Tags

38
Album Review

Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra: Voices: A Musical Heritage

Read "Voices: A Musical Heritage" reviewed by Jack Bowers


No matter where in the world one looks, there is musical history worth exploring and celebrating--which is what the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra sets out to affirm on its sixth album, Voices: A Musical Heritage. Winnipeg is the capital of Canada's Manitoba Province, and Voices pays tribute to the area's rich and expansive musical fabric via a series of eight compositions designed to exemplify some of Manitoba's far-flung heritage: First Nations, Metis, Ukrainian, Jewish, Chilean, Brazilian, Nigerian and Icelandic.

10
Album Review

Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra: Twisting Ways

Read "Twisting Ways" reviewed by Jack Bowers


For the better part of its latest recording, Twisting Ways, Canada's Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra may as well scrub the word “Jazz" from its name, as the music mostly bears scant resemblance to that time-honored genre. The overall mood may best be described as funereal, epitomizing themes of a mostly exploratory nature, interrupted all too seldom by passages that are more akin to the essence of traditional jazz. As the composers, David Braid and Philippe Cote, are well-known and well-respected in ...

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JEFF PRESSLAFF TRIO Red Goddess (Uncontrollable Records) After over 25 years in the music industry, local trombone player and pianist Jeff Presslaff is finally releasing his first piano trio recording. Joined by Julian Bradford (bass) and Scott Senior (drums), Presslaff gets behind the piano for 10 original compositions, some of which have their genesis nearly 20 years ago. The overall mood of the CD is mid-tempo to mellow and meditative, with Presslaff setting the pace and giving both Bradford and Senior significant freedom and solo space to breathe life into the pieces. There are no piano pyrotechnics here or finger-popping swing numbers, but Presslaff places a lot of emphasis on the composition of each song. His influences can be heard throughout this CD, and they range from the classic jazz artists Bill Evans (Red Goddess) and Monk ('Nother Monkish Thing), to hints of Latin (Having Met Ms. Jones), and Middle Eastern (Summer Somewhere (One). The trio has only been playing together a short time, but they have already planted a seed that will surely blossom given more opportunity and nurturing. 3 1/2 stars — Michael Wolch, Jazz Critic Winnipeg Free Press

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Primary Instrument

Trombone

Location

Winnipeg

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

International Music Camp, Jazz piano faculty 2013, 2014 Manitoba Conservatory, Faculty 2005-8 University of Manitoba, Ensemble Coach, Private Instructor 2002-6 University of Manitoba Jazz Camp, Faculty 2002-4 Canadian Mennonite University, Adjunct Professor of Music, piano and jazz improvisation 2000-2 Princeton University, Adjunct Professor of Music, piano and jazz improvisation 1988-97 Union College (NY), Visiting Professor of Music 1990-91 Union College, Adjunct Professor of Music, piano and jazz improvisation 1981-88 Bard College (NY), Assistant Professor of Music, Dept

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Voices: A Musical...

Self Produced
2022

buy

The Complete Rebirth...

Cellar Music Group
2013

buy

Oriri

From: Voices: A Musical Heritage
By Jeff Presslaff

Siddartha

From: Matty Stecks & Musical Tramps -...
By Jeff Presslaff

Heads or Tails

From: Matty Stecks & Musical Tramps -...
By Jeff Presslaff

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