Keith Karns, a trumpet player, composer and bandleader, is based in Dallas, Texas. Keith has arranged many commissions for college and high school ensembles across the country. His recent arrangements include arrangements for jazz legends like Rich Perry, Greta Mattassa and Stefon Harris. Keith has received numerous Downbeat Awards, JEN Young Composers Award, and ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Composers Award. Keith has also written for the Keith Karns Big Band which has toured across the country. Rich Perry collaborated with the band on their second recording, which was released recently by Summit jazz. Keith is particularly interested in the intersection between hard bop music and intervallic improvisation, in particular the Woody Shaw music. His research on Woody Shaw was presented at the 2017 JEN Conference and will be the focus of many future research projects. Keith is also interested to hear about contemporary big bands. Keith’s paper about contemporary big bands and the relationship to modern jazz historiography was presented at the 2016 Jazz Educator’s Network Conference. Keith is a jazz musician and writer, as well as a classical trumpet player. Keith has recently performed master classes and recitals of classical trumpet at Tarleton State University, Adams State University and Texas Tech University. He was a founding member and performer of the Tarnished brass quintet, which he has performed with throughout Texas and Oklahoma. Keith’s teaching method is based on crossover playing, which allows him to write and play in both jazz and classical music. Keith is a Torpedo Bags performing artist and uses Torpedo Bags for transporting and protecting his trumpets. Keith has degrees from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire and Indiana University. He also holds degrees at the University of North Texas. He is a North Central Texas College trumpet and jazz teacher. from www.keithkarnsmusic.com
