Chuck Findley
Birth nameCharles B. Findley
Born (1947-12-13) December 13, 1947 (age 76)
Johnstown, Pennsylvania, U.S.
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Trumpet, flugelhorn, trombone
Years active1970s-present
Formerly of

Charles B. Findley (born December 13, 1947, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania) is an American trumpet player known for his diverse work as a session musician. He also plays other brass instruments such as flugelhorn and trombone. His technical abilities and versatility are renowned even among other session players, with the celebrated session horn player and arranger Jerry Hey saying "Chuck Findley can play anything".[1]

Early life and career

Findley graduated Maple Heights High School in Ohio in 1965 and later the Cleveland Institute of Music.[2][3] Findley's first professional work was with the Jimmy Dorsey Big Band before joining the Buddy Rich Band on a world tour.[4] In 1989 he joined the Tonight Show band led by Doc Severinsen.[5] He was also a member of the band on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno from 1994 to 2001.

A regular collaborator on recordings by artists such as B. B. King and Steely Dan, he has also played and/or recorded with Nancy Sinatra, Miles Davis,[6] Stanley Turrentine, Toto, Pat Boone, Christopher Cross, Jaco Pastorius,[7] James Last, Lee Ritenour, Jackson Browne, George Benson, Luis Miguel, George Harrison, Elton John, Carole King, Rickie Lee Jones, Joni Mitchell, Jose Feliciano, The Rolling Stones, Dionne Warwick, Diane Schuur,[8] Tom Waits, Randy Newman, Tina Turner, Al Jarreau, Sarah Vaughan, Narada Michael Walden, Buddy Rich and many others.

Chuck Findley played the flugelhorn solo on the Carpenters 1970 #1 hit record "(They Long to Be) Close to You".

Findley often collaborates with his brother Bob, another trumpet player.

Findley is considered to be a member of The Wrecking Crew.[9]

He played the trumpet solo in Blade Runner Blues by Vangelis.

Discography

With Steely Dan

With Richard "Groove" Holmes

With Toto

With Al Jarreau

With GRP All-Star Big Band

With Metropole Orchestra, Rob Pronk

With others

References

  1. ^ "Interview with Jerry Hey". LA Studio Musicians website. Archived from the original on September 3, 2011.
  2. ^ "Interview on Calicchio web site. Retrieved 24 September 2008". Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved September 24, 2008.
  3. ^ Jazz, All About. "Chuck Findley musician - All About Jazz". All About Jazz Musicians. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  4. ^ Bertholdo, Stephanie. 'The Tonight Show Band' to perform benefit concert Archived 2008-07-06 at the Wayback Machine, The Acorn, February 7, 2008. Accessed September 25, 2008.
  5. ^ Loesing, John. ‘Jazz Nite’ fundraiser to help Lindero Archived 2003-03-09 at the Wayback Machine, The Acorn, February 13, 2003. Accessed September 25, 2008.
  6. ^ Tingen, P. Miles Beyond: The Electric Explorations of Miles Davis, 1967-1991. Billboard Books, 2001 (ISBN 0-8230-8346-2, ISBN 978-0-8230-8346-6)
  7. ^ Bogdanov, V. et al. Allmusic: The Definitive Guide to Popular Music. Backbeat Books, 2001 ISBN 0-87930-627-0, ISBN 978-0-87930-627-4
  8. ^ Lord, T. The Jazz Discography. North Country Distributors, 1998 (ISBN 1-881993-01-9, ISBN 978-1-881993-01-8)
  9. ^ Hartman, Kent, The Wrecking Crew: The Inside Story of Rock and Roll’s Best-Kept Secret, Thomas Dunne Books, St. Martin’s Press, New York, 2012, p.259
  10. ^ "Chuck Findley | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved May 7, 2017.
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