Marvin Stamm Biography

Throughout his distinguished career, Marvin Stamm has been praised for both the art and the craft of trumpet playing. Leonard Feather stated that “Mr. Stamm is an accomplished performer whose technical skill is used as a means to stimulating original ends.”

While attending North Texas State University, a school noted for its innovative lab bands, Mr. Stamm was discovered by Stan Kenton. Upon graduating, he joined Kenton's orchestra as his jazz trumpet soloist from 1961-1962, recording five albums with the orchestra. In 1965-1966, he toured worldwide as trumpet soloist with Woody Herman.

Marvin Stamm settled in New York City in late 1966, quickly establishing himself as a busy jazz and studio trumpeter. New York was bustling with jazz activity during that period, and Stamm performed at key venues with many of the significant players in the business. He gained considerable recognition for his playing with the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra (1966-1972) and the Duke Pearson Big Band (1967-1970), as well as performing with Frank Sinatra (1973-1974) and the Benny Goodman Sextet (1974-1975), among others.

Stamm was also a recognized first-call studio player (1966-1989). Some of the jazz artists with whom he recorded include Bill Evans, Quincy Jones, Oliver Nelson, Duke Pearson, Thad Jones, Wes Montgomery, Freddie Hubbard, Stanley Turrentine, Patrick Williams, Michel Legrand, Lena Horne, Frank Foster, Paul Desmond, George Benson, and many other popular artists of the period as well. 

Eschewing the lucrative studio scene in the late 80s, Mr. Stamm has focused his attention on his first love, playing jazz. Over his career, he has been a member of John Lewis' American Jazz Orchestra, the Bob Mintzer Band, the George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band, Louis Bellson's big band and/or quintet and, on a number of occasions, performed with the big band of composer Maria Schneider. 

Currently, Mr. Stamm spends much of the year touring. His activities include performing as a soloist, touring with his jazz quartet, and playing in duo with pianist Bill Mays. Stamm and Mays recently formed and are touring with a new group, the Inventions Trio, which includes cellist Alisa Horn. Stamm also performs with symphony orchestras throughout the country and maintains his ties with the George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band. 

At home, Mr. Stamm participates and performs with the Westchester Jazz Orchestra, a big band made up of some of the finest jazz musicians in the New York area, all living in Westchester County and led by composer/arranger and artistic director Mike Holober.

The critical response over the years to Stamm's work has been highly enthusiastic. Downbeat reported that “Stamm has a gorgeous tone on the trumpet and flugelhorn, and he flies through the changes”. JazzTimes said that “the Memphis native has chops and talent in abundance. He can burn on bebop changes, or mellow out on a ballad, all the time maintaining the lucid consistency that enthusiasm and experience engenders.” Jazz Review states, “It is a pleasure listening to the work of Marvin Stamm, anytime! Stamm is a musician's musician, performing flawlessly on his trumpet and flugelhorn.” 

Consciously acknowledging his debt to the influence and guidance of former teachers and fellow musicians, Marvin Stamm also commits a good deal of his time and energies to helping young music students develop their own voices. His involvement in Jazz Education takes him to universities and high schools across the U.S. and abroad as a performer, clinician and mentor, perpetuating the traditions of excitement and innovation that Jazz represents. 

 For more information, visit http://www.marvinstamm.com

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