Reviews

“Although the personnel on this CD is (with the exception of Dave Liebman) fairly obscure, do not let that deter you from acquiring this highly enjoyable disc. Craig Fraedrich is an impressive trumpeter with and appealing tone and his well-planned release features three distinct groups playing modern and often adventurous bop. Many of these Washington D.C. - based musicians take excellent solos, particularly tenors Tony Malaby and John DeSalme, Liebman, and the leader himself. Well worth searching for.” JAZZTIMES

“Yes there is good jazz in Virginia; no, New York has no corner on the good players. Craig Fraedrich and his compatriots are case in point. These 1988 and 1990 recordings by a group of considerable D.C. area musicians may have difficulty vying for your attention amidst the flood of Gotham based goodies, but given half a chance Fraedrich and company will make many friends. Craig Fraedrich is a brass man of admirable facility and heartfelt tone. Kenny Wheeler comes most immediately to mind. Fraedrich is the leader and most auspicious/conspicuous soloist on these dates. There is an openness to these original compositions that bodes well for Fraedrich’s future. ...Both releases are marked by tight ensembles, clear, clean execution and admirable studio values. . ..Fraedrich and company admirably stay the course of originality...”
JAZZTIMES

“None of these albums were recorded for a major label and none feature musicians just barely out of their teens. So while the lion’s share of the press, airplay and gigs will still probably go to the Hargroves, Holidays, and DeFrancescos, the musicians here will continue to labor in relative obscurity. Which is too bad because given the chance, so many of these over looked players turn out recordings like these -CDs that bristle with more invention, depth and vision than most of what the current hotshots are able to muster” CADENCE

“Fraedrich has drunk deep the well of cool jazz. There’s a lot of the post-bop-with-modal leadings that Miles Davis inspired here, as well as the ambience and sensibility that characterized not only the great 1960s Blue Note recordings (Freddie Hubbard, Wayne Shorter) but also the more traditional of the 1970s ECM albums. (Kenny Wheeler, Steve Kuhn) The playing is idiomatic, smooth and virtually flawless. ...Fraedrich and company really are fine players who achieve both tight ensemble work and coherent, interesting improvisation. ...You may enjoy this a lot and I recommend keeping an eye on this guy.” OPTION MAGAZINE

“This is music which arrives as the logical extension of Miles-ian modality. As much as ‘New Age Bop’ might appear an oxymoron, it fits. This is not really bop, but it’s not not hop. It’s contempo-bop, late ‘80s post-bop hop, free bop informed by the currents which daily wash against the jagged shoreline of Jazz... There may be no faulting the precision of the playing as an expression of the quartet’s conception... If melodic, moody and well played jazz is your meat, this CD will be a banquet...”  CADENCE MAGAZINE

FIRST FLIGHT showcases Fraedrich’s considerable melodic strengths and warm tone without resorting to a long a listless series of impressionist ballads... Typical is ‘Samsara,’ a gently alluring melody that gracefully shifts from fluegelhorn to bass to piano before returning to Fraedrich’s capable hands. Fox’s flowing rhapsody ‘Almond Eyes,’ Fraedrich’s muted performance on ‘Blue’ and the brisk and boppish ‘Pancho Marie’ also stand out on this alternately seductive and swinging debut...”  THE WASHINGTON POST

“A 75-minute plus program that ranges from Freddie Hubbardish straight ahead to ECM-impressionism. Fraedrich’s trumpet has a warm clear tone and he maneuvers around the horn with deftness and imagination... The sound is perfect CD quality with none of the sterility one usually associates with digital recordings... FIRST FLIGHT is a solid release...” OPTION MAGAZINE

“A straight-ahead cool hop session featuring Fraedrich’s buttery Clifford Brown style trumpet and Robert Fox’s Bill Evans like piano. Fraedrich’s tight quartet cooks with insinuating craft...” JAZZIZ

 

 

 

 

 

 

EDUCATION

DEGREES
Master of Music, Instrumental Music, Arizona State University, 1986
Bachelor of Music, Jazz Performance, North Texas State University, 1984

OTHER STUDY
Banff Center for the Arts, 1985
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 1979-1981

PRINCIPAL TRUMPET INSTRUCTORS
Dr. Leonard Candelaria
Dr. Wayne Cook
Don Jacoby
Dennis Najoom
Chuck Tumlinson
Ken Van Winkle
Steve Kossoris

PRINCIPAL JAZZ INSTRUCTORS
Chuck Marohnic
Rich Matteson
Dan Hearle
Jack Peterson
Dave Liebman
Kenny Wheeler
Frank Puzzullo

OTHER INFLUENTIAL INSTRUCTORS
(Banff Center for the Arts – 1985)
Dave Holland, John Abercrombie, Don Thompson,
Marvin "Smitty" Smith, and Julian Priester

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, SHENANDOAH CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC,
SHENANDOAH UNIVERSITY (21 years)

Courses taught include:
Music Theory 1
Music Theory 2
Jazz Theory 1
Jazz Theory 2
Jazz Arranging and Composition 1
Jazz Arranging and Composition 2
Jazz Improvisation 1
Jazz Improvisation 2

Ensembles directed include:
University Jazz Ensemble 1
Jazz Combo
Jazz Improvisation Lab

Applied Lessons:
Applied Trumpet
Jazz Trumpet
Jazz Trombone
Applied Jazz Coaching (Applied Jazz Lessons – any instrument)
Instruments coached:
Guitar, Piano, Saxophone, Trombone, Trumpet,
Flute, Tuba, Violin, Cello, Voice

Independent Study:
Jazz Arranging and Composition
Advanced Jazz Arranging
Advanced Improvisation
Applied Repertoire (Graduate level)
Applied Teaching Techniques (Graduate level)

TEACHING ASSISTANT, ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY, 1984-1986

Courses Taught:
Jazz Styles and Analysis
Ensembles:
Jazz Ensemble 2
Jazz/Rock Ensemble
Jazz Combo
PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE

JAZZ SOLOIST, THE ARMY BLUES JAZZ ENSEMBLE (25 Years)
The Army Blues Jazz Ensemble is the premier jazz group of the United States Army and is based in the Washington DC area at Ft Myer, adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery. Duties with the Blues included: Performing (as needed) every chair in the trumpet section, being the trumpet section leader and serving as the band’s musical director.  As a member of the Army Blues, performances with: (Partial Listing)

Alan Vizzutti
Arturo Sandoval
Ashley Alexander
Bill Watrous
Bob Curnow
Bobby Caldwell
Brian Lynch
Carl Fontana
Chris Potter
Conrad Herwig
Curtis Fuller
Curtis Herwig
Doc Severinsen
Ed Soph
Ellis Marsalis
Frank Mantooth
Freddie Cole
Greg Bissonette
Howard Johnson
James Moody
James Williams
Joe Morello
John Clayton
John Fedchock
Jon Faddis
Jon Swana
Keter Betts
Kevin Mahogany
Lew Soloff
Louis Bellson
Marlena Shaw
Marvin Stamm
Matt Gallagher
Michael Abene
Michael Davis
Mike Holober
New York Voices
Pat Williams
Peter Erskine
Randy Brecker
Rich Matteson
Roger Ingram
Ryan Kisor
Scott Whitfield
Sean Jones
Stanley Turrentine
Terell Stafford
Tiger Okoshi
Tim Hagens
Vince DiMartino
Wayne Bergeron
Wycliffe Gordon


THE UNITED STATES ARMY BAND, “PERSHING’S OWN”
Performances with: Concert Band, Jazz Orchestra, Orchestra, Ceremonial Band, Herald Trumpets, Strolling Strings, Swamp Romp (trad. Jazz), Downrange (top 40 group) and jazz/commercial combos.

THE BLUES JAZZ TRUMPET ENSEMBLE, “The Players to be Named Later” 1998 – present
Founder, Leader, Musical Director and principal arranger for the Blues Jazz Trumpet Ensemble. (“The Players to be Named Later”) This ensemble has performed at two International Trumpet Guild Conventions, the Caruso International Trumpet Competition, The Women in Brass Conference, jazz festivals and presented clinics. (Recordings available)



ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCES WITH: (partial listing)

Ramsey Lewis
Dave Liebman
The Brass Band of Battle Creek (with Wycliffe Gordon)
Soulful Symphony (Darin Atwater)
The Taylor/Fidyk Big Band
The Airmen of Note
Tom Harrell
Charlie Rouse
Richie Beirach
Joe Diorio
Richie Corpolongo
Bob Magnusson
Chuck Marohnic
Joe LaBarbera
Rich Matteson
Jack Peterson
Tony Malaby
Drew Gress
Paul Bollenback
The Dallas Jazz Orchestra
The Collection Jazz Orchestra

Numerous other professional/show engagements in the Washington DC area

RECORDINGS

AS A LEADER
Christmas Time is Here (CDP, 2004)
Come Sunday (CDP, 2004)
Sonyadora (CDP, 2005)
Shades of Blue (CDP, 1995)
So In Love (Positive Music, 1992) (W/Dave Liebman, reached #12, Billboard jazz radio airplay)
On The Edge (CDP, 1990)
First Flight (CDP, 1988)

WITH THE ARMY BLUES JAZZ ENSEMBLE
Live at Blues Alley (2010)
Blues at 35 (2007)
With Gratitude (2004)
Things Ain’t What They Used to Be (1999)
25th Anniversary Concert with New York Voices (1997)
An Evening In Concert (1994)

AS A SIDEMAN
Doug Hamilton Jazz Band (OA2, 2008)
The Taylor/Fidyk Band, Live at Blues Alley (OA2, 2006)
A Perfect Match, The Taylor/Fidyk Big Band (Writegroove, 2003)
The Chase Is On, Michael Fath's Le Jazz
The Capitol Bones Big Band – A Stan Kenton Christmas (CB, 2004)
ShabbatJazz, Jon Simon (Silver Lining Records, 2000)
Forgotten Dreams, Mike Tomaro (Seabreeze, 1996)
Home Again, Mike Tomaro (Positive Music, 1994)
Dancing Eyes, Mike Tomaro (Seabreeze, 1991)



ARRANGEMENTS/COMPOSITIONS

FOR THE US ARMY BAND
Over Sixty arrangements/compositions performed by Army Band ensembles including the Army Blues, Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Trumpet Ensemble and combos. Available recorded examples include: (partial listing)
BugaBlue (Live at Blues Alley)
Lester Thinks Twice (Blues at 35)
What Its Called (Blues at 35)
Time To Leave (Blues at 35 – Jazz Trumpet Ensemble)
Birdlike, Freddie Hubbard, Arr. Fraedrich
(Blues at 35 – Jazz Trumpet Ensemble)
Verificatin’ (Blues at 35 – Jazz Sextet)
Shades of Blue (With Gratitude)
Better Git Hit In Your Soul, Charles Mingus, Arr. Fraedrich
(With Gratititude)
Someone Like You, Two (An Evening In Concert)
RSVP (Live Recording, National Trumpet Competition)
A Minor Matter (Live Video Recording, Midwest Band Conference)

Other Recorded Examples:
Out of the Night, Horace Silver, Arr. Fraedrich (NTSU One O’ Clock)
Latin Liver, Larry Panella, Arr. Fraedrich (NTSU One O’ Clock)



HONORS AND AWARDS

Outstanding Jazz Educator Award, National Band Association, 2011

Scholarships:
 Jazz Performance Scholarship, Banff Centre for the Arts, 1985
 Friends of Music, Music Performance Scholarship, Arizona State University, 1985
Friends of Music, Music Performance Scholarship, Arizona State University, 1984
 Jazz Teaching Fellowship, Arizona State University, 1984 – 1986
Donald Byrd Competitive Jazz Scholarship, North Texas State University, 1983
 Akers Competitive Music Scholarship, North Texas State University, 1982
 Competitive Music Scholarship, North Texas State University, 1981
Jazz Performance Scholarship, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 1980

Jazz Solo/Festival Performance Awards:
 International Trumpet Guild Jazz Solo Competition, Winner, 1984
Leader/Director, student combo selected to perform at NAJE Conference, 1986
 Leader/Director, winning student combo, UC - Berkeley Jazz Festival, 1985
Outstanding Solo Award, UC – Berkeley Jazz Festival, 1985
Outstanding Trumpet Soloist, UC – Berkeley Jazz Festival, 1986
 Outstanding Solo Award, NAU Jazz Festival, 1986
Outstanding Solo Award, UT- Austin Jazz Festival, 1984
Outstanding Solo Award, Wichita Jazz Festival, 1983
Outstanding Solo Award, Notre Dame Jazz Festival, 1980
Outstanding Solo Award, Elmhurst Jazz Festival, 1979
Numerous IAJE/NAJE professional performance certificates