Thunderstick

BRIAN TORFF is a renowned bassist and composer, and is currently Music Program Director at Fairfield University. He is a featured bass soloist, working with the Hobgood, Torff and Wertico trio, the fusion band, Thunderstick, he performs in jazz festivals around the U.S., and has founded the Fairfield University Summer Jazz Camp. He has served as co-chair person for the music advisory board for the National Endowment for the Arts.

Brian Torff's professional career began in 1974 when bassist Milt Hinton offered him the opportunity of touring with Cleo Laine. During the late 70's, Torff recorded and performed with pianists Mary Lou Williams and Marian McPartland , and toured Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong with violin virtuoso, Stephane Grappelli.

He played in Erroll Garner's last group and worked in the big bands of Oliver Nelson, and the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra.

In 1979, Brian Torff joined in a duo with pianist George Shearing. In the course of their 3 1/2 year collaboration they toured throughout the U.S. , Europe, Brazil, and South Africa. Torff and Shearing were featured on the NBC Tonight Show, Merv Griffin, and their own PBS special from New York's Cafe Carlyle. They received worldwide acclaim, and were invited to perform at the White House in 1982 for President Reagan.

Brian Torff is a noted composer who has contributed works for three George Shearing albums, as well as his own recordings - Hitchhiker Of Karoo, and Manhattan Hoe-Down.He has written scores for the Boston Pops,Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the Pittsburgh Symphony, as well as for big band festivals throughout the U.S.

Brian Torff was recently named faculty member of the year by the AHANA students and the office of Multicultural Relations at Fairfield University. He has recorded recently with Stephane Grappelli, Toots Thielemans, Hobgood, Torff and Wertico, Milt Hinton, Carrie Smith, made a video with Larry Coryell, and performs in the group Samuels, Beck, and Torff, which features vibist Dave Samuels, and guitarist Joe Beck, in addition to appearances as a solo artist and clinician. He is currently composing and publishing big band charts for college and high school bands in a world beat style and was recently featured at the University of Wisconsin- La Crosse Winterfest.

He has recently published articles on Mary Lou Williams, Stephane Grappelli, and is currently working on an interview/ essay on his mentor, the bassist Milt Hinton. A new CD, Union featuring pianist Laurence Hobgood, drummer Paul Wertico and bassist Brian Torff will be released on Naim Records in the Spring of 1997