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 Arzo Tureaud
The Early Years
Born in Springfield Missouri, the 2nd of four siblings with two sisters and a brother, violin, clarinet and viola were played in Arzo's family. His mother, Karen, encouraged the family to pursue the arts by providing both music and dance lessons. In addition, His Uncle Theodore was an early role model having played trombone in the Army Band. Arzo excelled in football, baseball, basketball and boxing. While taking trumpet lessons from Dr. Tijuana Julian, Arzo demonstrated talent as both a musician and athlete and was recognized as "most valuable player" in football.
1991
Starting in 1991, he attended annual summer jazz camps held at Dury College and in 1992, after hearing a rendition of Maria by Dennis Noday, one of Stan Kenton's Trumpeter's, he began to envision his career as a professional trumpet player. Mike Vax, a former trumpeter with Navy's "Commodores" and Clay Jenkins, a soloist for contemporaries of Stan Kenton's band, would exert an influence on Arzo with their power and stylistic creativity. Clay Jenkins showed a special interest in Arzo by providing some free trumpet lessons and waking him up at 5AM to run. Showing and early interest in Jazz, Arzo began playing regularly in jazz and classical ensembles. With the onset of high school he was included in a local Youth Symphony Orchestra conducted by Chuck Mahaffey. Dave Scott, a trumpeter with the Jim Widner Big Band, gave Arzo special instruction in Jazz improvisation. Andy Wang, a substitute teacher, invited him to a professional rehearsal beginning his professional career at 15 years of age. Ned Wilkinson, a graduate of the Berkeley School of Music, introduced important arranging concepts; broadening his understanding of musical form and function. As a student at Kickapoo High School Arzo's solo abilities were recognized with the "outstanding soloist" award at Disneyworld's "Magical Music Days."
1995
In 1995, while attending Central High School, the late Charles Lober selected Arzo for the Springfield Unified School District Band. Solos traded with Billy Hunt, a veteran of many famous big band trumpet sections, impressed audiences and in 1996, Arzo was offered a music scholarship to Wichita State University. With a need to mature he entered adulthood with the Navy keeping touch with his playing by receiving invitations from a number of professional musicians. In 1998 he began studying trumpet with Dr. Joel Treybig, an international music scholar, and Larry Panella, a graduate of North Texas University. While enlisted in the Navy, Sara Driver, a professional violist, invited Arzo to play with Efram Owens at the Elephant Room, a popular jazz club in Austin, Texas. In 1999, Arzo was invited by Hal Melia and Bobby Watson to Kansas City to discuss attending The University of Missouri at Kansas City. Unable to attend UMKC, because of his commitment to the Navy, Arzo continued studying with Terrel Stafford and John Faddis, Carnegie Hall's Jazz director.
2001
In 2001, Arzo finished his enlistment with the Navy and studied jazz extensively with Bobby Watson, Hal Melia, Bram Winjands, focusing on trumpet with Jay Solenberger. Since then Arzo re-enlisted in the Army Band Program, played with Roy Hargrove in the Pittsburg, Kansas Jazz festival and the 135th Army Reserve Band. He has studied at the Military School of Music, been assigned to the 399th Army Band and looks forward to a bright career as a solo trumpeter. While studying in Little Creek Virginia he has performed with "The Tim McDonald Trio." Satisfied with his training and welcomed by the local jazz community in Kansas City, Arzo has performed as a sideman in numerous jazz clubs and continues to develop his voice as a jazz artist
2005
Arzo officially finished his enlistment with an "honorable discharge" from the Army in 2004 and was hired as a clinician for Springfield Music. Shortly after that he was approached by Dave Johnson and John Duda to be a Calicchio trumpet artist. While at Springfield Music he played with Johnny Strictler, Richard Bruton and the Tiffany Christopher Band appearing at Pattonally Pub, Springfield Brewing Company, The Outland and Dennis's Place with Jim Rea from Quinella Productions. In addition, Arzo played on the Branson Belle dinner cruise ship with the likes of John Trimble. After moving to West Michigan Arzo was requested by Myers Music to give "in house" trumpet clinics and soon became a member of the Truth In Jazz Orchestra lead by Tim Froncek (a drummer for Woody Herman's Big Band). A spokesperson for Spread The Music, musical instruments and supplies were donated to West Michigan School Systems. Arzo is currently mentored by jazz trumpeter Tony Lujan, the versatile, Miles Jaye and saxaphonist, Bobby Watson. He is currently living in Orlando Florida, and has played with Divine Soul, a jazz ensemble who feature Bill Moss on trumpet and vocalist Patrice Bloomfield. The Grand Haven Arts Council featured Arzo's quintet at Mill point in Spring lake Michigan. Lazaro Vega, a DJ for the Blue Lake Fines Arts radio station in Blue Lake, Michigan broadcast the event featuring Joe Aue on Guitar, Jim Van Bemlin on saxaphone, and Steve Harris on Drums. All proceeds from this event were donated to The Spead The Music Foundation.
The depth of his training in jazz reveals an authentic voice in the jazz community and continues to serve as a tribute to his mentors.
Website: http://www.arzotureaud.com/
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