Bruce Gates
Bruce Gates is an active performer, educator and clinician, currently living in the Phoenix, AZ area.
Originally from the Chicago, IL suburbs, Bruce arrived in Phoenix in 2007 after spending 20+ years performing, recording, touring and presenting clinics and master classes with the USAF Band program in the United States and abroad. During that time, he spent 15 years with its premier jazz ensemble, The Airmen of Note, as its lead and split-lead trumpeter. There, he acquired his reputation as a dynamic, driving, “workhorse” lead player.
Throughout his career, Bruce has backed up a diverse group of artists showing his broad range of musical versatility from jazz artists, including Randy and Michael Brecker, Dizzy Gillespie, Claudio Roditi, Clark Terry, Arturo Sandoval, George Benson, Doc Severinsen, and Jon Faddis to Motown artists including Aretha Franklin, the Temptations and the Four Tops to singers Michael Bublé, Joe Williams, Nancy Wilson, Wayne Newton, Frank Sinatra, Jr., Reba McEntire, Kenny Rogers, Maureen McGovern and vocal groups like The Four Freshman and The Pied Pipers to the classic big bands, including the Glenn Miller Band, the Harry James Orchestra and the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra to legendary comedians such as Bob Hope and Don Rickles and many of today’s young entertainers, from jazz artist, Sean Jones, the rock band Evanescence, singers Idina Menzel and Haley Reinhart to violinist, Lindsey Stirling. While performing with the Airmen of Note at the White House, Bruce backed up then President and saxophonist Bill Clinton. Bruce has also been found performing in the pit orchestras for nearly 40 professional shows presented by touring and resident theater companies.
In 1994 and 1996, he recorded two critically acclaimed CDs for the Sea Breeze label, entitled “Forced Air Heat” and “Joyous Reunion,” with his own big band, The Bruce Gates Jazz Consortium Big Band. Performance highlights include headlining the Chantilly High School Invitational Jazz Festival in Chantilly, VA, multiple appearances at the famed jazz club, Blues Alley in Washington, D.C. and at the Mesa Arts Center and ASU Kerr Cultural Center in Arizona.
While living in Washington, D.C., he studied with the world-renowned brass teacher, Dr. Donald Reinhardt. Utilizing the Reinhardt methodology, he has conducted numerous trumpet/brass clinics and master classes at universities, colleges and high schools throughout the U.S. In addition to private teaching in his own studio, Bruce served as the adjunct trumpet instructor at Scottsdale Community College and Chandler/Gilbert Community College in Arizona from 2014-2023. He is a charter member of the Jazz Education Network (JEN), participating in clinics and performances.
“I don’t see myself as an ‘out-front-star-soloist’. I’ve always admired and aspired to play like the great lead players of history, including Conrad Gozzo, Bernie Glow, Al Porcino, Johnny Audino and, of course, Snooky Young—all players who musically lead the ensemble. One of the best compliments I’ve ever received was ‘Bruce doesn’t play high; he plays lead!’”
