Brian Torff

Brian Torff
Photo by Matt Gibbons
Background information
Born	February 16, 1954 (1954-02-16) (age 55) Chicago, Illinois, United States
Genre(s)	Jazz
Instrument(s)	Double-bass

Brian Q. Torff (born March 16, 1954 in Chicago, Illinois) is a US jazz double-bassist and composer. He is currently Music Program Director at Fairfield University in Connecticut. The Fairfield Arts Council named Torff their 2008 Artist of the Year.^[1]

Career

Teacher

Torff is currently the Music Program Director at Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut where he makes frequent appearances at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts leading the Fairfield University Jazz Ensemble along with guest jazz artists including Randy Brecker, Bob Mintzer, Bernard Purdie, Milt Hinton, Dave Samuels and Paul Wertico.

Performer

He currently performs with his seven-piece band, Thunderstick, which uses a horn section and jazz violinist Randy Sabien, as well as the Union Trio. He has performed in jazz festivals around the US, founded the Fairfield University Summer Jazz Camp, and has served as co-chair person for the music advisory board for the National Endowment for the Arts.^[2] His performing career began in 1974 when bassist Milt Hinton invited him on a tour with Cleo Laine. During the late 1970s, Torff recorded and performed with pianists Mary Lou Williams and Marian McPartland, and toured Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong with violinist Stephane Grappelli. He played in pianist Erroll Garner's last group and worked in the big bands of Oliver Nelson, and the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Big Band.^[2] In 1979, Torff formed a duo with pianist George Shearing. In the course of their three and a half year collaboration, they toured throughout the US, Europe, Brazil, and South Africa. They appeared on the NBC Tonight Show, the Merv Griffin show, and broadcast a PBS show from New York's Cafe Carlyle. They were invited to perform at the White House in 1982 for President Reagan. Their third album won a Grammy for vocalist Mel Tormé.^[2]

Composer

As a composer, Torff has contributed works for records with George Shearing, Larry Coryell, and his own recordings- Hitchhiker of Karoo, Manhattan Hoe- Down, and Workin' On a Bassline. He has written scores that have been performed by the Boston Pops, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the Pittsburgh Symphony, and has appeared as conductor, composer, and clinician for numerous high school and college jazz festivals.^[2]

External links

• Brian Torff Website
• New York Times Feature
• Fairfield University Music Program

References

1. ^ Fairfield Arts Council 2008 Artist of the Year: Brian Q.Torff
2. ^ ^{a b c d} Brian Q. Torff - Biography