Robert McCurdy received both Bachelors and Masters Degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in trumpet performance.  His teachers included Donald Whitaker, Richard Burkhart, Reynold Schilke, Charles Geyer, and John Aley.  His first teaching opportunities were at Lawrence University and classes for Richard Davis at UW-Madison.  While in Madison, Robert was active as a classical musician performing with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Madison Symphony, and Waukesha Symphony.  As a jazz/commercial musician, he performed with numerous big bands, combos, and at local recording studios.  Robert performed frequently with Jeannie and Jimmy Cheatham, Steve Houghton, Richard Davis, Clyde Stubblefield, and many others.  From 1982 to 2005 Robert McCurdy was Director of Jazz Studies at the Lionel Hampton School of Music, University of Idaho, where he assisted in developing one of the premier jazz programs in the Northwest.  Under his direction, University of Idaho Jazz Ensemble I performed with many outstanding musicians including Lionel Hampton, Bobby Shew, Wallace Roney, Claudio Roditi, Paquito d-Riverea, Bill Watrous, Slide Hampton, Ed Soph, Rob McConnell, and others.  In conjunction with the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival McCurdy performed with the Lionel Hampton New York Big Band, Elvin Jones, Wallace Roney, Claudio Roditi, Jeff Hamilton, Benny Green, Stan Getz, Greg Abate, Brian Bromberg, John Clayton, Igor Butman, Randy Brecker, Terell Stanfford, Chuck Findley, Russell Malone, Diane Reeves, and numerous others.  Robert has also performed wih the Spokane Symphony, Spokane Jazz Orchestra (under the direction of Gunther Schuller), Bob Hope, Natalie Cole, Jimmy Dorsey Band, Cab Calloway Orchestra, Gene Krupa Orchestra, A Chorus Line, and others.  He has been active as a clinician, adjudicator, and soloist throughout the Pacific Northwest and Canada.  Robert is featured on two CD's with Crosscurrent, "Overdue" and "Alone Together", and as a lead trumpet player on the Spokane Jazz Orchestra's recording, "It's About Time."  Robert McCurdy currently teaches jazz studies, coordinates the Jazz Combo Program, and performs with the Flint Hills Brass Quintet at Emporia State University. He also performs frequently with the Boulevard Big Band, Topeka Jazz Workshop, and the New Vintage Big Band. He continues to be active as a free-lance musician.

Last Updated August 18, 2008