The JoAnn Funk Trio - Meet the Band!
JEFF BRUESKE BASS & VOCALS
“Brueske's bass: rock steady earthquake-proof, the pylon in the maelstrom,” - Bebopified
Whether performing on guitar or bass, Jeff Brueske brings a refined soulfulness and responsive ear to every collaboration. He has played bass with Grammy winner Ted Nash, Wessel Anderson, Ron Miles, Marcus Printup, Tim Armacost, singer Kristen Lee Sergeant and Twin Cities luminaries Dennis Spears, Debbie Duncan, Connie Evingson, Carei Thomas, Chris Lomheim and Bobby Peterson. As a guitarist he studied under maestro Jeffrey Van and has performed for over 30 years. Jeff is also a singer with a clear tenor voice equally at home in classical and jazz settings.
Jeff received both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in classical guitar before studying double bass under Anthony Cox, Robert Anderson of the Minnesota Orchestra, and briefly with the late Dennis Irwin.
Jeff's collaborations include work with Alvin Ailey alums TUDance , the Bakken Trio, Consortium Carissimi, JazzIsNow Orchestra, and the Orchestra Hall Atrium Jazz Ensemble. He was featured in the Orchestra Hall premiere and recording of Jeremy Walker's "7 Psalms." For over nine years Jeff's bass chops and singing were spotlighted weekly at "Jazz in the Lobby Bar" at the historic St Paul Hotel. He has several recordings with Sidewalk Cafe Trio and singer JoAnn Funk and regularly performs as a freelancer.
As a soloist he provides educational and enrichment programs featuring music and stories of the Swing Era. Jeff is also a piano tuner and technician, servicing pianos throughout the Twin Cities metro area.
NATHAN NORMAN DRUMS
Nathan Norman is a native of Washington, DC. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music in 1984 then studied with the Percussion Group Cincinnati at the University of Cincinnati before returning to Washington to teach at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. Nathan moved to the twin cities in 1987 and has an extensive resumé performing and /or recording with area artists, including Debbie Duncan, Connie Evingson, Joyce Lyons, Thomasina Petrus, Charmin Michelle, Dennis Spears, JoAnn Funk, Illicit Sextet, Bill Banfield, Lila Ammons, Joel Shapira, Robert Huntley, French 75, The Minnesota Orchestra, Theatre Latte Da and more. He performs regularly with the Travis Anderson Trio, bassist Michael Gold, guitarist Glen Helgeson.