Stan Kessler

(Not to be confused with American songwriter and producer Stan Kesler.) Stan Kessler is a Trumpet/Flugelhorn player, band leader, clinician, and educator in the Kansas City area. He also does extensive writing and arranging for small groups. Stan also plays drums and hand percussion. He is currently leading The Sons of Brasil (12 yrs.) and The Stan Kessler Quartet (10 yrs.). He maintains adjunct positions at The University of Missouri-Kansas City and Missouri Western State College in jazz trumpet, theory and improvisation, and music business classes. Stan graduated from Shawnee Mission South H.S. in 1970 with honors. From 1968 to 1970, he was principal trumpet in the K.C. Youth Symphony. In 1970, Stan was awarded first chair all- state trumpet in Kansas. He attended Kansas University and Wichita State University from 1970 to 1972. For the last 33 years, Stan has been a member of every kind of group you could imagine. He has lead such bands as Stan Kessler and the Flat Five, Eightball, and Baby Leroy. His expertise includes jazz, R&B, funk, and all latin genres, especially brasilian and afro-cuban. In 1980, Stan was assistant director of the jazz ensemble and combo instructor at UMKC. He was voted best trumpet player and leader of the best jazz band (SOBs) in KC by the Pitch readers poll. He has appeared in concert with Clark Terry, Paquito D'Rivera, Ernie Watts, Gary Foster, Karrin Allyson, Kevin Mahogany, Bobby Watson, John Clayton, Kim Park, and many others.