Background :
Saxophonist, flutist and clarinetist Pete BarenBregge was born in Pittsburgh, PA. Growing up, Pete lived in a number of locations but his family ended up in Wilmington, Delaware. Pete became hooked into music with the classic story of a dynamic band director and mentor, Hal Schiff, who inspired a student in whom he heard unusual musical talent. In high school, Pete really got in to music and achieved success on the tenor and alto saxophones, flute and clarinet and proceeded to win numerous awards at high school jazz festivals. Among the awards was a scholarship to the famed Stan Kenton Jazz Camp which became a proving ground for many jazz artists. Music was clearly the path of choice. He elected to major in music and graduate from West Chester University with a B.S. in music education and went on to teach public school instrumental music in Wilmington, all the while constantly playing and teaching jazz and making a name for himself in the Wilmington/Philadelphia area. Although he enjoyed teaching immensely, the opportunity to join one of finest big bands in the world, the USAF Airmen of Note arrived in 1979. After a successful audition and enlistment, he moved to the Washington, D.C. area where the band is stationed and he was finally a full-time professional musician. With a brilliant career in the United States Air Force Band as featured soloist on lead tenor saxophone in the Airmen of Note, he rose rapidly through the system to achieve the rank of Chief Master Sergeant and was appointed musical director and NCOIC (Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge) of this elite group. Upon retirement from the USAF after 20 years, Pete accepted a position with Warner Bros. Publications as editor for jazz publications.
Currently :
Pete BarenBregge is a freelance professional musician recognized nationally as a saxophone/flute artist, clinician, educator and adjudicator. He is the Instrumental Jazz Editor for Belwin Jazz, a division of Alfred Publishing Co. His editorial responsibilities include jazz ensemble and combo arrangements, improvisation, transcription, etude and pedagogical materials along with the production of educational CDs. A member of the NARAS, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, (GRAMMYS), he was twice elected to the board of governors for the Washington, D.C. chapter. He has written articles for DownBeat Magazine and is a contributing author for variety of educational publications. In addition, Mr. BarenBregge is the musical director of the Columbia Jazz Band, Columbia, Maryland. As a free lance musician, he works extensively in the D.C. Baltimore area performing on alto, tenor and soprano saxophone, baritone saxophone, flute, piccolo, alto flute, and clarinet. Married, he and his wife Marcia have three children.
Education :
Mr. BarenBregge received his B.S. degree in Music Education from West Chester University in West Chester, PA. Following graduation, he enjoyed teaching instrumental music in the Brandywine School District in Wilmington, DE. During this time he directed award winning bands and jazz groups always with top honors. He is a frequent clinician and adjudicator at educational jazz festivals and all state jazz events. He continues to teach privately offering advanced instruction.
As a Clinician :
Mr. BarenBregge has been a clinician at a variety of educational conferences and conventions such as IAJE, the Midwest Band Clinic, NYSSMA, KMEA, PMEA, TMEA, TBA, MMEA, OMEA to name a few. In addition, he has performed as guest conductor for the Maine All State Jazz Band, the Maryland All State Jazz Band, the Delaware All State Jazz Band, the Williamsville, NY, Jazz Festival, a clinician/guest performer at the Northwestern Jazz Festival in Rock Hill, South Carolina, guest soloist with the Florida International University Jazz Ensemble in Miami, clinician for the Maryland Jazz Weekend along with other numerous adjudicating and clinics at local events. He has also been the featured soloist with the American Youth Jazz Band.
Performance/Leadership Experience :
Pete BarenBregge is the former Musical Director and NCOIC (Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge) of the United States Air Force Band's Airmen of Note, Washington, D.C. In addition to his leadership of this premier jazz ensemble, he performed as lead jazz tenor saxophonist during his 20-year military career, retiring at the rank of Chief Master Sergeant. He lead the band while traveling throughout the U.S. and in Canada, Japan, Sweden, Norway, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, and Panama. He is a featured soloist on 19 Airmen of Note CDs/albums. In addition, he has performed as a soloist in Germany, Luxembourg, France, England, Scotland, Holland, Austria, and Switzerland. He has performed for Kings, Queens, Presidents and millions of people worldwide. He has performed for six presidents: Clinton, Reagan, Ford, Carter, Bush, and Nixon. During the Clinton administration, he frequently performed at the White House and shared the stage numerous times playing the saxophone alongside President Clinton. He has performed and conducted in worlds finest concert halls such as Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, the Meyerhoff, Myerson Theater in Dallas, San Fransisco's Davis Hall, and numerous world-class opera halls in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Panama, Uruguay. Pete has done extensive recording for radio, television, and record singles. He has collaborated with top names including Randy Brecker, Bob Berg, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Mel Torme, Diana Ross, Johnny Mathis, Henry Mancini, Dizzy Gillespie, Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra, and many others in addition to pit work at the National Theater and the Kennedy Center.
Leading his jazz quartet :
Mr. BarenBregge leads his own jazz quartet and released his first recording, PF FLYER in 2001 by the Pete BarenBregge-Frank Russo Quartet, available on Summit Records (DCD312). PF FLYER received a 3 star rating in the August 2002 issue of DownBeat magazine. "Pete BarenBregge possesses technical and improvising gifts on all saxophones. His solos hold plenty of ideas and logic, building with a clear and concise vision as he tells his stories." DownBeat Magazine, August 2002. "BarenBregge swings through the up tunes with assurance and approaches the ballads with refined expressiveness." JazzTimes Magazine, June 2002. On his second CD, POINT OF GRACE, released in 2003 by the Pete BarenBregge-Frank Russo Group, he and Frank again received a 3 star rating in the January 2004 issue of DownBeat: "BarenBregge solos with skill and expression DownBeat." January 2004. POINT OF GRACE is available on Summit Records (DCD358).
As an Author :
Pete BarenBregge has written numerous articles for DownBeat magazine, has contributing author to Jazz Pedagogy: The Jazz Educator's Handbook and Resource Guide published by Warner Bros. Publications and for the TBA Journal (Texas Bandmaster's Association). As a Producer: Pete BarenBregge has produced two of his own quartet CDs, PF Flyer and Point of Grace both released on Summit Records. Produced 7 Airmen of Note CDs: Children of the Night, Legacy, Blues and Beyond, Reeds and Rhythm, Christmas Time is Here, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, The Glenn Miller Tradition. He has produced over 25 CDs for Warner Bros. Publications of educational jazz ensemble arrangements at all levels.