JEFF PRESSLAFF is a pianist, trombonist, composer and arranger who made Winnipeg his home in 1997 and has since become well-known for his inventive and accomplished playing, writing, leadership and activism.
In a 50-year career that began in New York, he has performed and collaborated with many great artists, including Benny Carter, Bob Brookmeyer, Bill Barron, Curtis Fuller, Roswell Rudd, Ed Blackwell and Sheila Jordan. In Canada, he is best known for his work with the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra and Papa Mambo (for whom he has composed/ arranged/produced four albums), his prolific freelance performances, and his many special productions for Jazz Winnipeg. He has been nominated as WCMA’s Jazz Artist of the Year four times, and had two #1 Canadian jazz albums. In 2004, he was chosen Manitoba Jazz Musician of the Year. He has been commissioned by and arranged for groups spanning the spectrum from indie rock band to the symphony orchestra. Jeff has been on the music faculties of Princeton University, Bard College, Union College. Canadian Mennonite University, University of Manitoba and Brandon University.
Recent discography:
Upside Downwards, Trio Antipodes (Keith Price, Graydon Cramer); #1 Canadian Jazz Charts
Impromptu, piano/bass duos with Julian Bradford; Nominated for WCMA Jazz Artist of the Year 2017
Suite 150-A Big Band Portrait, Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra; Nominated for WCMA Jazz Artist of the Year 2017
El Swing de Papa Mambo, Papa Mambo
How Long Has This been Going on?, piano/voice duos with Martha Brooks
The Complete Rebirth of the Cool — new work for the nonet instrumentation of Miles Davis’s The Complete Birth of the Cool; Nominated for WCMA Jazz Recording of the Year 2014; Top 20 on N. American jazz radio.
All My Tomorrows – original arrangements of Sammy Cahn tunes with vocalist Martha Brooks.
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Website: http://www.jeffpresslaff.com