Brian Torff | |
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| Background information | |
| Born | (1954-03-16)March 16, 1954 (age 71) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz,jazz fusion, delta electric |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, educator |
| Instrument(s) | Double-bass, harmonica, vocals, keyboard, slide guitar |
| Website | briantorff |
Brian Q. Torff (born March 16, 1954) is an Americanjazz double-bassist, songwriter and composer.
Brian Q. Torff is a Professor of Music and the director of the music program at Fairfield University inFairfield, Connecticut.[1] He has taught at New York University and makes frequent appearances at theRegina A. Quick Center for the Arts leading the Fairfield University Jazz Ensemble along with guest jazz artists includingRandy Brecker,Bob Mintzer,Bernard Purdie,Milt Hinton,Dave Samuels andPaul Wertico.
Brian Q.Torff is a bassist, songwriter, composer and educator. His album, 'Run With Scissors,' features his music in a 'Delta Electric' style, combining vintage southern style instruments with drum machines. Torff has performed as a featured bass soloist leading his own trio and has appeared atLincoln Center, the Hollywood Bowl, theKennedy Center andBirdland in New York City. Torff performed atCarnegie Hall for Fiddle Fest, where he appeared withMark O'Connor,Dave Grusin,Regina Carter,Yo-Yo Ma,Itzhak Perlman, andPinchas Zukerman. He served as co-chair person for the music advisory board for theNational Endowment for the Arts in 1992.
Brian Torff's professional career began in 1974 when bassistMilt Hinton offered him the opportunity of touring withCleo Laine. During the late 70s, Torff recorded and performed with pianistsMary Lou Williams andMarian McPartland, and toured Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong with jazz violinistStéphane Grappelli. He played in pianistErroll Garner's last group and worked in the big bands ofOliver Nelson, andThe Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra.
In 1979, Brian Torff joined in a duo with pianistGeorge Shearing. In the course of their three-and-a-half-year collaboration, they toured throughout the U.S., Europe, Brazil, and South Africa and were featured onThe Tonight Show,The Merv Griffin Show, and their own PBS special from theCafe Carlyle in New York City. They received worldwide acclaim and were invited to perform at the White House in 1982 for PresidentRonald Reagan. Their third album won aGrammy Award for vocalistMel Tormé.
Torff has composed works with George Shearing andLarry Coryell and orchestral scores that have been performed by theBoston Pops,Los Angeles Philharmonic, and thePittsburgh Symphony. He has appeared as conductor, composer, and clinician for numerous high school and college jazz festivals. He is the author of the bookIn Love With Voices: A Jazz Memoir (2008), which chronicles his early musical roots and portraits of musicians he has worked with, includingFrank Sinatra, Mel Tormé,Erroll Garner,Benny Goodman, Mary Lou Williams, Marian McPartland, Stephane Grappelli, and George Shearing.
WithGeorge Shearing
WithSonny Stitt
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