Faculty: Bruce Paulson
Bruce Paulson grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota and graduated from the University of Minnesota, where he studied trombone with Steven Zellmer of the Minnesota Orchestra. During this time he also studied trombone with Frank Chrisafulli of the Chicago Symphony. After a year of graduate school he spent two years teaching high school band and orchestra in Minneapolis. He became the lead trombone player on the Buddy Rich Band in 1971 and in 1972 was asked to join the NBC Tonight Show Band, directed by Doc Severinsen. He remained with the band for twenty years, during which time he also worked in the studios of Los Angeles recording with many composers and artists; among them, Nelson Riddle, Michel Legrand, Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, Dianne Reeves and Natalie Cole. He was an original member of the Toshiko Akiyoshi Big Band, recording two albums with her and he also spent a year recording and playing with the Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band.
Bruce is also a faculty member of the Henry Mancini Institute at UCLA. His recent solo performances and clinics have included appearances in Japan, China, New Zealand and Australia. His own Quintet can be heard on the Seabreeze CD "Minnesota."