Dave Ballou is a co-leader and leader who has released nine CDs that are internationally recognized. He has recorded or performed with groups led by Michael Formanek and Denman Maroney. Maria Schneider, Andrew Hill. Dave Liebman. Oliver Lake. Joe Lovano. Sheila Jordan. Steely Dan. Rabih Abou–Kahlil. Don Preston. Dave has performed Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto #2, Larry Austin’s Improvisations, and Guntherschuller’s Journey into Jazz with both the Spokane Symphony Orchestra Project and the Boston Modern Orchestra Project. Schuller’s Encounters was also premiered by him as a soloist. This composition commemorated the 100th anniversary Jordan Hall. His compositions have been performed by the Monarch Trio, The TILT Brass Ensemble and Meridian Arts Ensemble. Jon Nelson recorded his solo trumpet work, “Samskara”, for release in 2010. Dave was awarded an Individual Artist Award by the Maryland State Arts Council in 2009. Adam Unsworth, University of Michigan French Horn professor performed a horn adaptation of “Samskara”. Dave currently serves as an Associate Professor in Music at Towson University, and is the coordinator for the Jazz/Commercial division. He teaches Jazz history, Jazz theory, improvisation, Jazz composition, Jazz arranging, Jazz trumpet, and jazz improvisation for all instruments. He also coaches small jazz ensembles, including the improvisation ensemble. He has been a teacher at The Banff Institute, Maryland Summer Jazz Camp, The Litchfield Jazz Camp, and The Maine Jazz Camp. He received a BM (magnacum laude), from Berklee College of Music, in 1986, and a MA in 1991 from the University of New Hampshire. Download Dave’s Curriculum Vitae. Press bio. Born in Peace Dale (Rhode Island), Dave discovered the trumpet when he was 11. He was immediately captivated by the sounds of jazz trumpeters Clifford Brown and Woody Shaw. Julio Tancredi, the principal trumpeter of the Rhode Island Philharmonic, was his first trumpet training. Dave started working gigs when he was 16 years old, playing in society gigs in Newport and the Italian Festival parades in Providence. After a brief education at the University of Rhode Island Dave attended Berklee College of Music. He studied with Greg Hopkins, Jimmy Mosher, Greg Fritze, and Herb Pomeroy. George Garzone and Jerry Bergonzi were his teachers. After studies at Berklee, tours were made with the big bands Tommy Dorsey (led Buddy Morrow) u0026 Woody Herman (led Frank Tiberi). Dave attended the University of New Hampshire, where he received a Master of Arts’ degree in 1992. Clark Terry, a jazz legend, was his direct inspiration at UNH. During and after his UNH studies, Dave worked many gigs around the Boston area. He was also part of the Orange Then Blue Band and the Either/Orchestra. Dave moved to New York City in 1994. Dave moved to New York City in 1994 in search of a community where he could develop as an artist and meet like-minded musicians. Dave performed in Broadway shows, recorded sessions, and played many jazz concerts with his heroes, Joe Lovano and Sheila Jordan. In the fall 2004 Dave joined Towson University’s faculty. In 2006, he was appointed to the position of coordinator for the Jazz and Commercial Music division. He has been instrumental in reuniting the Jazz program with musicians influenced former TU music professor Hank Levy. Dave was promoted to Associate Professor and received tenure in 2009. His students are leaders in Baltimore’s improvised music scene. He continues to perform alongside innovative improvisors, composers. Dave has recently been recorded with Mario Pavone, Denman Maroney and the Grammy nominated John Hollenbeck Large ensemble. He continues to grow as an instrumentalist, composer, and teacher. From www.daveballou.com
