Greg Anderson – trumpet
“Both of my parents were successful musicians (keyboard players). My father had a big band that played in Seattle for many years. He toured on the road with Sammy Davis Jr and his uncle. So, I suppose I’m following in Dad’s footsteps with starting up BRI-LA with this great group of musicians!”
Q: Who has inspired you musically?
A: First – in junior high it was Herb Alpert. I then started and played in a group called the ‘Bittersweet Brass’ with my good friend Dave Clay in high school. Our motto was ‘You have to take the bitter with the sweet’. In college at Michigan State University I was extremely fortunate to get a full-ride ‘band’ scholarship even though I was a math/computer science major. This required that I play in Wind Ensemble, Symphonic band and the Jazz band. During college I was inspired by Doc Severinsen and Maynard Ferguson primarily and would play along with their albums while at home in my basement for hours on end. Also, in the non-jazz area, I was inspired by Rafael Mendez.
Q: Other groups that you perform with – present and past?
A: Rock bands in college included ‘St. Elmo’s Fire’ and ‘Forecast’. While with the Michigan State Jazz Band I was fortunate enough to play concerts with Chuck Mangione, Clark Terry, and Warren Covington among others. Also, through college, I played with the circus and Holiday on Ice (toughest trumpet gigs ever!). Angel City Big Band, West Hills with recordings on Amazon Music. Currently I’m a member of Deluxe Big Band, led by Norm Roper and Los Angeles Symphonic Winds, a large wind ensemble, playing with them for over 10 years now.
Q: Favorite horn groups?
A: Number 1 was Chicago of course. Also, Blood, Sweat, and Tears, Tower of Power, Lighthouse, Don Ellis, the Tonight Show Band.
Q: Other instruments or information to add?
A: A little piano and guitar. Interests include golf, baseball, computers, and travel.
Q: Anything else to share?
A: Both of my parents were successful musicians (keyboard players). My father had a big band that played in Seattle for many years. He toured on the road with Sammy Davis Jr and his uncle.
While playing lead trumpet with the Michigan State University jazz band, we did concerts with Chuck Mangione, Warren Covington, Clark Terry, and many others. I played in two rock bands in college (St. Elmo’s Fire, and Forecast). We played all over the mid-west and also did a joint concert with the Grand Rapids symphony orchestra.