Craig
Klein
New Orleans Freelance Trombonist
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» Craig
Klein Artist Profile
New Orleans-born Craig "Sparky" Klein received
his first trombone at the age of six from his musician uncle,
Gerry Dallmann. His formal musical training began in grade school,
under the guidance of Papa Jac Assunto, founder of the Dukes
of Dixieland. After college graduation, his professional musical
career began in 1979 when he started playing with a traditional
New Orleans brass band, meeting and playing with some of the
New Orleans greats, such as Kid Sheik Colla, Father Al Lewis,
Danny Barker, Chester Zardis, Frog Joseph, and many more.
He expanded his musical experience when he joined the Storyville
Stompers Brass Band. The Stompers is still one of the most active
jazz bands in New Orleans, playing second-line parades, parties,
funerals, and riverboats, plus engagements in Europe and Japan.
Craig's extensive experience includes work with bands such as
the Olympia Brass Band, the O'Jays, George Porter Jr., the New
Orleans Nightcrawlers, the Leroy Jones Quintet, Dave Bartholomew,
Wardell Quezergue, and Harry Connick Jr. Craig auditioned for
Connick's big band in 1990 by playing over the phone and continues
to perform with the ensemble currently, traveling extensively
throughout the United States, Europe, Japan, and Australia. Craig's
recordings with the Connick band include multiple CDs, sound
tracks, and singles. The group has appeared in feature length
videos and television specials for Disney, PBS, and CBS, and
made many guest appearances on television in the United States
and Europe.
In addition to recording with the Connick band, Craig has recorded
with the Neville Brothers, Leroy Jones, the Nightcrawlers, Lillian
Boutte, Dr. John, R&B artists Chuck Carbo and Johnny Adams,
rockers Tori Amos, Bruce Hornsby, the all-star Cuban band Cubanismo,
and New Orleans recording sensations the Yockamo Allstars. Craig
can be heard on over 30 different recordings, and also performs
with Dave Bartholomew, legendary producer of Fats Domino and
many other performing and recording stars.
Craig's diverse experience has made him a top-call trombonist
in New Orleans, capable of many musical styles and configurations,
from trios to large orchestras.
www.bonerama.net
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"I gotta tell ya — this the the best, most-responsive,
easiest-to-play, prettiest trombone I have ever put my lips
on. It is a pleasure to blow into this Edwards horn every day.
If I'm traveling or somehow can't play it, I go into withdrawals.
It speaks very quickly and easily. Some of the bands I play
in - like Bonerama and The Nightcrawlers - have a certain power
that requires the horn to cut through. The Edwards is the perfect
horn to live up to that task."
Craig Klein
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