Stan Bock

Stan Bock is acclaimed as one of the Pacific Northwest’s finest jazz musicians and one of the most called-upon jazz trombonists in the region.

Stan arrived on the Portland, Oregon scene in the mid '90's and has been an active freelance trombonist performing with a full spectrum of musical groups throughout the Pacific Northwest.

He has been a member of the Mel Brown Septet, the Thara Memory SuperBand, and, as composer and bandleader, his own Stan Bock Ensemble. Stan also performs regularly with the award winning Northwest Ray Charles Tribute as well as various Chamber Ensembles and Orchestras in the Portland, OR area.

While Stan has appeared on over 35 recordings, he recorded his first solo jazz CD entitled Of Fathers and Sons in 1999, which is dedicated to his late father. This CD features several of Stan's compositions and arrangements played by some of Portland's finest jazz performers. His first CD with the Stan Bock Ensemble for OA2 records in Seattle, appropriately named Night Grooves, was released in 2003 and has received much critical acclaim including a Grammy Nomination. In April of 2007, Stan released the Ensemble’s newest efforts, entitled Your Check’s in the Mail, was in the top 100 in the nation for radio airplay for most of the year and has also been received with critical acclaim.

As an Educator, Stan teaches low brass and coaches brass ensembles and jazz combos at Willamette University in Salem, OR, Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, OR, and at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, OR. For the next two years, Stan will be acting Jazz Director at Willamette University where he has taught for over 12 years. He brings a long career of playing trombone with various jazz artists to his teaching gig. He continues to appear as a guest artist, clinician, and adjudicator for various music festivals, concerts, and events throughout the United States.

During his schooling, Stan was always playing in bands directed by his father, Carl, and he eventually even played "tailgate" trombone in his dad's Dixieland band at age 15.

After High School, Stan attended Fort Hays State (Kansas) where he graduated in 1973 with a B.M.E. He then received his M.M. in solo performance from the University of Northern Iowa in 1975.

Stan entered the U.S. Air Force Band program in 1975 where he served as trombone soloist and lead player with various groups for over 19 years before retiring in 1994. During his Air Force career, Stan performed on radio, television, and on recordings throughout the United States and Europe. Frequently during these years, Stan appeared as a guest artist, clinician, or adjudicator for High School and College festivals, mainly in the United States. He was also quite active as a freelance trombonist, appearing with a variety of musical groups.