Armin Marmolejo

Armin Marmolejo is a trombonist, composer, recording artist and educator. He most recently released his second CD as a leader titled a.m. in the p.m., that features Jay Fort,Trevor Labonte, Peter Stoltzman, Aaron Allen and Dave Sierra in December 2011. His first CD as a leader titled Boarding Pass played to excellent reviews in Jazz Times Magazine and features notable jazz artists Kevin Hays, Ron Blake, Dwayne Burno and Eric McPherson.

Marmolejo’s unique sound that embodies the traditions of classic jazz trombone stylings reveals his diverse cultural background and experience. He is a trombonist in the J.J. Johnson/Curtis Fuller tradition. He has a wonderful command over his horn, can play hard or soft as the occasion demands, and has a great sense of timing and concept of swing.

Marmolejo’s compositions create a distinctive sound that reflect fine traditions of jazz and latin music. He is comfortable in both musical worlds and freely composes music that allows musicians a canvas to showcase their own talents.

Marmolejo landed his first major engagement in 1985 with the legendary Ray Charles after being heard in a Chicago night club by Clifford Soloman, Ray Charles’ long time musical director. He performed at many international festivals with Ray including the Paris Jazz Festival, Nice Festival du Jazz, Newport Jazz Festival, Tokyo Jazz Festival and the Free Jazz Festival in Rio de Janeiro.

After working with Charles for five years he performed with Frank Sinatra for nearly two years. He continues to work with Frank Sinatra Jr.

Marmolejo has performed as a sideman with such important jazz figures as Eddie Henderson, Billy Hart, Kenny Wheeler, Carla Bley, Steve Swallow, Diane Schurr and Luis Gasca.

He has also performed in orchestras for notable entertainers that include Jose Feliciano, Burt Bacharach, Dionne Warwick, The Four Tops, Johnny Mathis, Debbie Reynolds, Steve Allen, Michael Feinstein, and Gladys Knight.

He has also performed at the Elephant Bar in Austin, Texas with numerous jazz small groups including the Armin Marmolejo Quintet, The Art Blakey Tribute Band, AIME, Jazz PR and orchestras CO2 and The Contemporary Jazz Works Orchestra. He is currently a member of the Distinguished Artist Series Texas Jazz Project that performs annually at the Moores School of Music Opera House at the University of Houston and the Presidential LIbrary at Texas A&M at College Station.