Jay Saunders
Encyclopedia
Jay Saunders born 29 June 1944, is a trumpet
er and music educator at the collegiate level. He is most known for being a lead trumpeter with big band
s — including the Stan Kenton Orchestra (early seventies) — and a recording studio musician in the Dallas area. Saunders is currently on the faculty at the University of North Texas College of Music
where he teaches jazz trumpet, jazz recordings, and directs the Two O'Clock Lab Band
.
, Saunders attended the University of North Texas College of Music
from 1965 to 1968 where he studied trumpet with John Haynie. Saunders was a member of the One O'Clock Lab Band
, served as an undergraduate teaching assistant in trumpet, and played two short tours with the Stan Kenton
Orchestra. After earning a Bachelor of Music
in 1968, Saunders played lead trumpet in the Studio Band of The United States Army Field Band
in Washington, D.C.
, from 1968 to 1971. Upon discharge from the U.S. Army, he immediately rejoined the Kenton Orchestra in July 1971, eventually playing lead trumpet until the fall of 1972. That fall, Saunders returned to the UNT College of Music to work on a his masters degree. While there, he served as a graduate assistant teacher of trumpet and lab bands until the summer of 1975. He earned a Master of Music
Education in fall 1974.
His tenure with the Army Studio Band (1968–71) and Kenton (1971–1972) coincided closely with that of Ray Brown
— a composer, arranger, trumpet player, and jazz educator, who, while with the Kenton Orchestra, held the jazz trumpet chair.
Orchestra and the Studio Band of The United States Army Field Band
at Fort Meade, Maryland
. Saunders played off and on with the Kenton band for many years and taught at Kenton clinics. He recorded eleven albums with Kenton and one album each with Ornette Coleman
and Doc Severinsen
as well as many religious, Latino and rock artists.
As a member of the Jerry Gray
Orchestra at the Fairmont Hotel's Venetian Room, Saunders backed noted artists, including Sarah Vaughn, Billy Eckstine
, Tony Bennett
, and Ella Fitzgerald
as well as hundreds of other well-established performers. He has been an educator/performer in the Dallas-Fort Worth area since the 1980s, performing with the Fort Worth
and Dallas
Symphony Orchestras as part of their Pops Series, playing first trumpet for the Dallas Summer Musicals, as well as a variety of recordings and shows in the area.
Saunders has been heard playing lead trumpet on broadcasts for the BBC
, VOA
, WABC
, KABC
, WNBC
, WCBS
, and for the CNN/SI, CNN
, HBO, ESPN radio
, Warner Bros.
and Paramount
TV themes, in addition to many other broadcasters in the United States. As an educator, Saunders has taught at Richland College
, Tarrant County Community College, Texas Wesleyan University
, Collin College, and the University of North Texas College of Music
.
He also plays with Pete Petersen and The Collection Jazz Orchestra. "He has a reputation as being one of the best," said Petersen of Saunders. Petersen told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that he had needed a trumpet player for the recording of Playing in the Park in the mid-'80s. Saunders continues to play with them. The band went on to record two other albums.
from the University of North Texas College of Music
. Jay and Pat have a son, Stephen Kenton Saunders (b. 1972, Tom Green County, Texas).
As a trumpeter with Pete Petersen & The Collection Jazz Orchestra
With Doc Severinsen
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
er and music educator at the collegiate level. He is most known for being a lead trumpeter with big band
Big band
A big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with jazz and the Swing Era typically consisting of rhythm, brass, and woodwind instruments totaling approximately twelve to twenty-five musicians...
s — including the Stan Kenton Orchestra (early seventies) — and a recording studio musician in the Dallas area. Saunders is currently on the faculty at the University of North Texas College of Music
University of North Texas College of Music
The University of North Texas College of Music, based in Denton, is a comprehensive music school with the largest enrollment of any music institution accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, and the oldest in the world offering a degree in jazz studies...
where he teaches jazz trumpet, jazz recordings, and directs the Two O'Clock Lab Band
Two O'Clock Lab Band
The Two O'Clock Lab Band is the second highest level of nine big bands of the Jazz Studies Division at the University of North Texas College of Music, a comprehensive music school with the largest enrollment of any music institution accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, and...
.
Education
Originally from Sacramento, CaliforniaSacramento, California
Sacramento is the capital city of the U.S. state of California and the county seat of Sacramento County. It is located at the confluence of the Sacramento River and the American River in the northern portion of California's expansive Central Valley. With a population of 466,488 at the 2010 census,...
, Saunders attended the University of North Texas College of Music
University of North Texas College of Music
The University of North Texas College of Music, based in Denton, is a comprehensive music school with the largest enrollment of any music institution accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, and the oldest in the world offering a degree in jazz studies...
from 1965 to 1968 where he studied trumpet with John Haynie. Saunders was a member of the One O'Clock Lab Band
One O'Clock Lab Band
The One O’Clock Lab Band for years has been the premier ensemble of the Jazz Studies Division at the University of North Texas College of Music in Denton. The band has performed and toured abroad in Australia, Canada, England, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Norway,...
, served as an undergraduate teaching assistant in trumpet, and played two short tours with the Stan Kenton
Stan Kenton
Stanley Newcomb "Stan" Kenton was a pianist, composer, and arranger who led a highly innovative, influential, and often controversial American jazz orchestra. In later years he was widely active as an educator....
Orchestra. After earning a Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music is an academic degree awarded by a college, university, or conservatory upon completion of program of study in music. In the United States, it is a professional degree; the majority of work consists of prescribed music courses and study in applied music, usually requiring a...
in 1968, Saunders played lead trumpet in the Studio Band of The United States Army Field Band
The United States Army Field Band
The United States Army Field Band of Washington, D.C. is the premier touring musical organization of the United States Army. Each year, the Army Field Band performs more than 400 concerts and makes thousands of appearances before audiences of all ages...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, from 1968 to 1971. Upon discharge from the U.S. Army, he immediately rejoined the Kenton Orchestra in July 1971, eventually playing lead trumpet until the fall of 1972. That fall, Saunders returned to the UNT College of Music to work on a his masters degree. While there, he served as a graduate assistant teacher of trumpet and lab bands until the summer of 1975. He earned a Master of Music
Master of Music
The Master of Music is the first graduate degree in Music awarded by universities and music conservatories. The M.Mus. combines advanced studies in an applied area of specialization with graduate-level academic study in subjects such as music history, music theory, or music pedagogy...
Education in fall 1974.
His tenure with the Army Studio Band (1968–71) and Kenton (1971–1972) coincided closely with that of Ray Brown
Raymond Harry Brown
Raymond Harry Brown is an American composer, arranger, trumpet player, and jazz educator. He has performed as trumpet player and arranged music for Stan Kenton , Bill Watrous, Bill Berry, Frank Capp – Nat Pierce , and the Full Faith and Credit Big Band.Brown joined Kenton in September...
— a composer, arranger, trumpet player, and jazz educator, who, while with the Kenton Orchestra, held the jazz trumpet chair.
Applied music
Saunders played lead trumpet and toured with the Stan KentonStan Kenton
Stanley Newcomb "Stan" Kenton was a pianist, composer, and arranger who led a highly innovative, influential, and often controversial American jazz orchestra. In later years he was widely active as an educator....
Orchestra and the Studio Band of The United States Army Field Band
The United States Army Field Band
The United States Army Field Band of Washington, D.C. is the premier touring musical organization of the United States Army. Each year, the Army Field Band performs more than 400 concerts and makes thousands of appearances before audiences of all ages...
at Fort Meade, Maryland
Fort Meade, Maryland
Fort Meade is a census-designated place in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States. The population was 9,882 at the 2000 census. It is the home to the National Security Agency, which is located on the US Army post Fort George G...
. Saunders played off and on with the Kenton band for many years and taught at Kenton clinics. He recorded eleven albums with Kenton and one album each with Ornette Coleman
Ornette Coleman
Ornette Coleman is an American saxophonist, violinist, trumpeter and composer. He was one of the major innovators of the free jazz movement of the 1960s....
and Doc Severinsen
Doc Severinsen
Carl Hilding "Doc" Severinsen is an American pop and jazz trumpeter. He is best known for leading the NBC Orchestra on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.-Early life:...
as well as many religious, Latino and rock artists.
As a member of the Jerry Gray
Jerry Gray (Arranger)
Jerry Gray was an American violinist, arranger, composer, and leader of swing dance orchestras bearing his name. He is widely known for his work with popular music during the Swing era. His name is inextricably linked to two of the most famous bandleaders of the time, Artie Shaw and Glenn Miller...
Orchestra at the Fairmont Hotel's Venetian Room, Saunders backed noted artists, including Sarah Vaughn, Billy Eckstine
Billy Eckstine
William Clarence Eckstine was an American singer of ballads and a bandleader of the swing era. Eckstine's smooth baritone and distinctive vibrato broke down barriers throughout the 1940s, first as leader of the original bop big-band, then as the first romantic black male in popular...
, Tony Bennett
Tony Bennett
Tony Bennett is an American singer of popular music, standards, show tunes, and jazz....
, and Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Jane Fitzgerald , also known as the "First Lady of Song" and "Lady Ella," was an American jazz and song vocalist...
as well as hundreds of other well-established performers. He has been an educator/performer in the Dallas-Fort Worth area since the 1980s, performing with the Fort Worth
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra is a symphony orchestra based in Fort Worth, Texas. The orchestra performs at the Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Performance Hall in downtown Fort Worth...
and Dallas
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra. It performs its concerts in the Meyerson Symphony Center in the Arts District of downtown Dallas, Texas, United States....
Symphony Orchestras as part of their Pops Series, playing first trumpet for the Dallas Summer Musicals, as well as a variety of recordings and shows in the area.
Saunders has been heard playing lead trumpet on broadcasts for the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
, VOA
Voice of America
Voice of America is the official external broadcast institution of the United States federal government. It is one of five civilian U.S. international broadcasters working under the umbrella of the Broadcasting Board of Governors . VOA provides a wide range of programming for broadcast on radio...
, WABC
WABC
WABC may refer to:* WABC , a radio station licensed to New York, New York, United States* WABC-TV, a television station licensed to New York, New York, United States* Classic Gold WABC, a defunct British radio station...
, KABC
KABC
KABC may refer to:* KABC , a radio station licensed to Los Angeles, California, United States* KABC-TV, a television station licensed to Los Angeles, California...
, WNBC
WNBC
WNBC, virtual channel 4 , is the flagship station of the NBC television network, located in New York City. WNBC's studios are co-located with NBC corporate headquarters at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in midtown Manhattan...
, WCBS
WCBS
WCBS may refer to:Assets of CBS* WCBS , a radio station licensed to New York, New York, United States* WCBS-FM, a radio station licensed to New York, New York, United States...
, and for the CNN/SI, CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
, HBO, ESPN radio
ESPN Radio
ESPN Radio is an American sports radio network. It was launched on January 1, 1992 under the original banner of "SportsRadio ESPN." ESPN Radio is located at ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut...
, Warner Bros.
Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., also known as Warner Bros. Pictures or simply Warner Bros. , is an American producer of film and television entertainment.One of the major film studios, it is a subsidiary of Time Warner, with its headquarters in Burbank,...
and Paramount
Paramount Television
Paramount Television was an American television production/distribution company that was active from January 1, 1968 to August 27, 2006.Its successor is CBS Television Studios, formerly CBS Paramount Television...
TV themes, in addition to many other broadcasters in the United States. As an educator, Saunders has taught at Richland College
Richland College
Richland College is a community college that is part of the Dallas County Community College District and is located near the Lake Highlands area of Dallas, Texas near the border with Richardson and Garland. The school was founded in 1972 and is the largest school in the DCCCD, featuring nearly...
, Tarrant County Community College, Texas Wesleyan University
Texas Wesleyan University
Texas Wesleyan University is a private, coeducational, liberal arts university founded by the United Methodist Church in 1890. The main campus is located in the Polytechnic Heights Neighborhood of Fort Worth, Texas, with branch campuses in Burleson and downtown Fort Worth.-History:Texas Wesleyan...
, Collin College, and the University of North Texas College of Music
University of North Texas College of Music
The University of North Texas College of Music, based in Denton, is a comprehensive music school with the largest enrollment of any music institution accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, and the oldest in the world offering a degree in jazz studies...
.
He also plays with Pete Petersen and The Collection Jazz Orchestra. "He has a reputation as being one of the best," said Petersen of Saunders. Petersen told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that he had needed a trumpet player for the recording of Playing in the Park in the mid-'80s. Saunders continues to play with them. The band went on to record two other albums.
Family
On January 27, 1968, Jay married Patricia Lynn Bode (b. 1946, Tom Green County, Texas), who, in 1968, earned a Bachelor of MusicBachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music is an academic degree awarded by a college, university, or conservatory upon completion of program of study in music. In the United States, it is a professional degree; the majority of work consists of prescribed music courses and study in applied music, usually requiring a...
from the University of North Texas College of Music
University of North Texas College of Music
The University of North Texas College of Music, based in Denton, is a comprehensive music school with the largest enrollment of any music institution accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, and the oldest in the world offering a degree in jazz studies...
. Jay and Pat have a son, Stephen Kenton Saunders (b. 1972, Tom Green County, Texas).
Selected discography
As a trumpeter with the Stan Kenton OrchestraAs a trumpeter with Pete Petersen & The Collection Jazz Orchestra
With Doc Severinsen
Doc Severinsen
Carl Hilding "Doc" Severinsen is an American pop and jazz trumpeter. He is best known for leading the NBC Orchestra on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.-Early life:...