With the generous support of a commission from The Chamber Music America New Works grant, funded by the Doris Duke Foundation, he created Linear Surroundings, a composition of four movements ('Shadow Chasing,' 'Moods,' 'The Peaceful Flame,' and 'Collage'). For his composition Skies over Emilia he won the Charlie Parker Composition Award with that award's commission he composed Whims of the Blue Bird. His stellar abilities as a composer were quickly recognized with a number of major awards. After participating in the BMI Jazz Composer's Workshop for five years, he was well prepared to move more deeply into the composing arena, writing for string orchestra, jazz ensembles large and small, and double bass ensembles. Reid next added composition to his list of skills. Reid its Jazz Educator Achievement Award in 1998, and the New Jersey chapter of the International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE) honored him as Outstanding Educator of 1999.Īs one of today's premiere bassists on the international jazz scene, and with his reputation as an educator also firmly established, Mr. The bass method he presents in his book and DVD The Evolving Bassist is recognized as the industry standard. That year he also twice performed Two Faces, a concerto for solo double bass and jazz trio that Benny Golson composed especially for him he debuted it with the Wayne Chamber Orchestra at William Paterson University, and then presented it again in its New York premiere at Alice Tully Hall in October.Īlso known as an exceptional educator, Rufus Reid has taught clinics and workshops all over the world. He has also performed and recorded with André Previn, Kathleen Battle, and the St. Johnson, Nancy Wilson, and Andrew Hill, to name a few. He has performed and recorded with Eddie Harris, Thad Jones and Mel Lewis, Dexter Gordon, Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz, Benny Golson, Jack DeJohnette, J. The musical prowess he developed over his forty-year career allows him to move with perfect comfort among an array of performance settings. Often called a chameleon, Rufus Reid made over 400 recordings over the next decades.

After his discharge from the Air Force, he began serious study with James Harnett of the Seattle Symphony, and then moved on to Northwestern University, where he worked with Warren Benfield and principal bassist Joseph Guastefeste, both of the Chicago Symphony, and earned a B.M. However, during his years as a trumpet player in the United States Air Force, he discovered his interest in the bass. Born in Atlanta and raised in Sacramento, he played the trumpet all through junior high and high school.

Although he has made his mark as a bassist, Rufus Reid actually began his musical career with the trumpet.

Rufus reid the evolving bassist