Bruce Purse

Bruce Purse, was born in Birmingham, Alabama. Purse is a trumpet player, bandleader, musician, composer, producer, vocalist, arranger, performer, music educator, and guest lecturer. He writes stories and plays. He plays various wind instruments; the trumpet, pocket trumpet, bass trumpet, and flugel horn. He has assembled large ensembles from a 11-piece bands to 30 piece orchestras. His premiere ensemble was called Bruce Purse and the Pocketbooks. The band performs originals in various genres such as; jazz, reggae, R&B, and heavy blues. Purse has performed with many well known artists, such as, Lester Bowie, Amy Winehouse, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, Faith Evans, Nas, Leona Lewis, and Johnny Kemp.[1][2]

Bruce Purse
Background information
Birth nameBruce Clayton Purse
GenresJazz, soul, R&B, blues, avant-garde jazz, hip hop soul, urban, reggae
Occupation(s)Musician, composer, writer, artist, producer
LabelsNext Plateau
Websitewww.brucepurse.com

Purse describes himself as a sound mentalist. A mentalist practices Mentalism one who creates sound vibrations, music, and frequencies that create music. He creates music acoustically and digitally.

Purse is the president of bcpurse music.

Early life

Purse was born in Birmingham, Alabama. He grew up listening to music on the radio, television, and in church. Bruce was exposed to gospel music, jazz, spirituals, rhythm and blues, and country music. He moved to St Louis as an adolescent. He was introduced to the trumpet while attending St Louis, Missouri Middle School.

Purse started at an early age in his teens at Sumner High School in (St. Louis)]], Missouri with William Paul Overbey. He attended Southern Illinois University Edwardsville for his Baccalaureate Degree. He did Masters work at Columbia University, and received his master's degree from Lehman College in music education in New York City.[3]

One of his earliest influences in music growing up was Louis Armstrong, where he became fascinated with the trumpet. Who he heard on the radio and television.[4]

Career

Purse has performed as musician with Lester Bowie's Brass Fantasy. His band called Bruce Purse and the Pocketbooks and other ensembles such as his 11-piece big band with members that has included Vincent Henry, Tyrone Jefferson, Bob Stewart (musician), Lonnie Plaxico, and Frank Lacy. He has written, arranged and performed for Amy Winehouse, Johnny Kemp, Peter Brown, Arthur Blythe, Alicia Keys, Craig Harris, Leona Lewis, Faith Evans, Mary J. Blige, Olu Dara, Stanton Davis, Malachi Thompson, Noel Pointer, Melba Moore, Youssou N'Dour, P-Diddy, Heavy D, Erica Badu, Zap Mama, Garland Jeffreys, Toots & the Maytals, Sybil (singer), Nas, Alison Hinds, Anthony Hamilton (musician), Pete Brown, Stanton Davis, Vincent Chancey, Steve Turre, Phillip Wilson, Salaam Remi, Joseph Bowie, Henry Threadgill, Julius Hemphill, The Blind Boys of Alabama.[5][4][6][7][8][9]

He has composed for the anthologies for the Art Ensemble of Chicago.[8][10]

Bruce is a music educator and guest lecturer. He has been an artist-in-residence with the New York City Board of Education, with Lincoln Center Jazz with Wynton Marsalis, LaGuardia Performing Arts High School, New School for Social Research, and the Harlem School of the Arts.

In 2018, Bruce portrayed himself in the Classic Albums (TV Series documentary) Amy Winehouse: Back to Black.

He is a member of American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers known as ASCAP.

Instruments

Trumpet, pocket trumpet, flugel horn, baritone horn, bass trumpet, French horn

Discography

As a composer, producer, arranger & musician
  • 2018 The Art Ensemble of Chicago and Associated Ensembles
  • 2017 Elaborations/Light Blue: Arthur Blythe Plays Thelonious Monk
  • 2005 Just Got Paid - Johnny Kemp
  • 2001 Up Close and Personal; Angie Martinez Guitar, Horn, Keyboards, Horn Arrangements, Keyboard Arrangements, Guitar Arrangements
  • 2000 Privacy Ophélie Winter Producer
  • 1998 Logic Pride, Vol. 1
  • 1990 Vincent Vincent Henry
  • 1990 Thirsty Janice Dempsey
  • 1990 My Way Lester Bowie
  • 1999 Inside My Mind DJ Ernie
  • 1998 Logic Pride, Vol. 1
  • 1993 Never Lose Your Heart - Noel Pointer
  • 1993 F Stops - Craig Harris
  • 1993 Doin' It Now! Sybil Producer, Arranger, Composer
  • 1992 The Fire This Time - Lester Bowie's Brass Fantasy
  • 1987 Secrets of Flying - Johnny Kemp Producer, Arranger, Trumpet, Keyboards, Programming, Horn Arrangements, String Arrangements, Composer
  • 1987 Pale Fire - Alithea / Gust William Tsilis
  • 1996 Lay Down - Nalini; Producer, Programming
  • 1996 Case - Case Case (singer)
  • 1987 Secrets of Flying - Johnny Kemp Producer, Arranger, Trumpet, Keyboards, Programming, Horn Arrangements, String Arrangements
  • 1985 I Only Have Eyes for You - Lester Bowie's Brass Fantasy - Trumpet

Side man
  • 2015 Amy Winehouse [The Original Soundtrack]: instruments - Trumpet, Flugel horn, Trumpet, Trumpet (Bass)
  • 2012 The Album Collection: Amy Winehouse; instruments - Flugel horn, Horn (Baritone), Trumpet, Trumpet (Bass)
  • 2011 Lioness: Hidden Treasures: Amy Winehouse; Trumpet
  • 2011 It's Not the Same: Liam Bailey; Trumpet
  • 2011 I Remember Me: Jennifer Hudson; Bass, Trumpet
  • 2011 Back to Love: Anthony Hamilton; Flugel horn, Trumpet
  • 2010 Mind, Body & Soul/The Soul Sessions: Joss Stone; Flugel horn, Trumpet
  • 2009 Got the Bug, Vol. 2 : Bugz in the Attic; Flugel horn, Trumpet, Trumpet (Bass)
  • 2009 2 Sides of My Heart, Vol. 1 - Gramps Morgan; Horn
  • 2008 Remixed Alicia Keys - Trumpet, Flugel horn
  • 2008 Nas - Nas; Horn, Vocals (Background)
  • 2008 Better in Time - Leona Lewis; Trumpet, Trumpet (Bass), Flugel horn
  • 2007 Throwback: Harlem 1979–1983; Leroy Burgess; Trombone (Tenor), Trombone (Bass)
  • 2007 Spirit - Leona Lewis; Trumpet, Trumpet (Bass), Flugelhorn
  • 2007 Soca Queen - Alison Hinds; Main Personnel, Trumpet, Trumpet (Bass), Flugel horn
  • 2007 I Am - Chrisette Michele; Trumpet (Bass)
  • 2006 Reflections (A Retrospective) - Mary J. Blige; Main Personnel, Trumpet
  • 2006 Hip Hop Is Dead - Na; s Trumpet, Trumpet (Bass), Flugel horn
  • 2006 Back to Black - Amy Winehouse ; Trumpet, Trumpet (Bass), Flugel horn
  • 2004 Take the Box - Amy Winehouse; Trumpet, Trumpet (Bass), Flugel horn
  • 2004 Street's Disciple - Nas; Trumpet, Flugel horn
  • 2004 Mind, Body & Soul - Joss Stone; Trumpet, Flugel horn
  • 2004 In My Bed - Amy Winehouse; Trumpet, Trumpet (Bass), Flugel horn
  • 2004 Got the Bug - Bugz in the Attic; Trumpet, Trumpet (Bass), Flugel horn
  • 2004 After the Sunset - Horn
  • 2003 Stronger Than Me - Amy Winehouse; Trumpet, Flugel horn, Bass
  • 2003 Frank - Amy Winehouse; Trumpet, Trumpet (Bass), Flugel horn, Horn (Baritone)
  • 2002 Selected Recordings (Rarum VI) - The Art Ensemble of Chicago; Trumpet
  • 2002 Selected Recordings (Rarum I-VIII); Trumpet
  • 2002 A Little Deeper Ms. Dynamite; Horn
  • 2001 FB Entertainment Presents: The Good Life; Horn
  • 2000 Listening Room Jenjii; Trumpet
  • 1997 Wildlife Dictionary - Garland Jeffreys; Featured Artist (Trumpet)
  • 1997 Sweet Emotions - Trumpet
  • 1997 Light in the Dark - 4PM (For Positive Music); Remix Vocals Arranger
  • 1996 Movin' in the Right Direction - Count Basic; Trumpet
  • 1995 Faith - Faith Evans; Trumpet
  • 1994 My Life - Mary J. Blige; Trumpet
  • 1993 The Four Horsemen - Ultramagnetic MC's; Main Personnel, Saxophone, Horn
  • 1991 Bruce Purse - Bruce Purse; Primary Artist, Trumpet
  • 1990 Gramavision 10th Anniversary Sampler; Trumpet
  • 1989 Works - Lester Bowie; Trumpet
  • 1989 Time Peace - Al MacDowell; Trumpet
  • 1986 Too Strong - Lazet Michaels; Trumpet, Trumpet (Pocket)
  • 1983 James White's Flaming Demonics James Chance / James White - Member of Attributed Artist; Trumpet[11]

Record Labels
  • CBS
  • RCA
  • Warner Brothers
  • Atlantic Records
  • Polygram
  • BMG
  • Purse was a staff writer for Warner Chappell Music Publishing

Quotes

Soundscapes of Music for the Heart, Mind, and Soul.

  • "It is Inspirational, Calming, Meditative, Promotes Inner peace, and the Healing Arts of Health and Wellness.
  • I use the Sounds of Musical Storytelling by Engaging Global Digital Expressions of New Jazz, World Beat Music, Organic Digital Dance, and Peacefulness with Silence.
  • This Opens the Door to a New World of Sound Mentalisms such as Rhythm and Blues,New Age, Electronic Music, Ambient, Electroacoustic, Intelligent Dance Music,Blues, and Classical Symphonic Digital Music". --Bruce Purse

See also

References
  1. Wilson, John S. (December 23, 1985). "MUSIC: BRUCE PURSE LEADS AN 11-PIECE BAND (Published 1985)" – via NYTimes.com.
  2. "Bruce Purse - CeDe.com". www.cede.com.
  3. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/style/1983/12/11/horns-with-plenty/61106907-1f5e-446a-90e1-9efe3714f2de/
  4. "Mixing Grooves and Slathering the Beat, St. Louis Style". October 15, 2017.
  5. Stokes, W. Royal (December 11, 1983). "Horns with Plenty" – via www.washingtonpost.com.
  6. "PORI JAZZ FESTIVAL 1984". Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA.
  7. https://jazztimes.com/features/lists/before-after-with-ambrose-akinmusire/
  8. https://www.ecmrecords.com/shop/143038751140/i-only-have-eyes-for-you-lester-bowies-brass-fantasy
  9. https://rvm.pm/tag/bruce-purse/
  10. https://www.loc.gov/item/jots.200157115
  11. "Bruce Purse". Discogs.
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