Bruce Jenney
by Ray Matuza
20th Century Guitar
"Music is my life. I am a very lucky person doing something that I love", smiles Bruce
Jenney, savoring the tid bits of his own specially marinated steak while looking out the
window of this Victorian style kitchen. The fact that Brooklyn born Jenney is quite
adept at mixing and blending in the culinary quarters may come as no surprise after one
hears his diverse approach to music.
Displaying an uncanny ability at mixing musical
genres and styles, Jenney combines his talents
as musician, vocalist, writer, producer and
arranger to yield a ubiquitous blend of "smooth
jazz" running the gamut from Latin flavored
aperitifs to Rhythm and Blues desserts.
A look at the family tree shows Jenney's roots
dig deep into the music tradition. Father,
George Jenney, played trumpet with Artie Shaw
and The Tommy Dorsey Band. Undoubtedly, the influence behind Bruce's decision to
pick up the same instrument. Uncles Bob and Jack Jenney both were employed as
trombonists, the latter having an illustrious solo career as well as being featured on
Artie Shaw's gem, "Stardust".
At 17, Bruce enjoyed his entry into the professional musician's world as part of a
promotional package with Lucille Ball and Bob Hope. Not bad company to keep!
However, soon afterwards, Uncle Sam requested his presence in another kind of
company. The U.S. Army stationed him in Anchorage, Alaska.
While the nights were cold, Jenney helped heat up as lead trumpet in the 214th Army
band. Jenney also played back up for touring acts such as Nancy Wilson and Etta
James when they came through the area. Psychedella and the summer of love provided
the fertile backdrop for a return to civilian life, finding the newly liberated G.I. soaking
up the inspirations.
Although arranging and brass instruments are Jenney's true loves, the guitar started to
become a constant companion, often finding its way into jam sessions with his fellow
Greenwich cronies like Jimi Hendrix, Curtis Knight and Felix Pappalardi, to name a
few.
Through the late 60's Jenney recorded for numerous record labels andf inally scored a
hit for Epic Records in 1968 with his band Soulosophy, doing a funky and soulful
remake of Elton John's, "Take Me to the Pilot". This served as a springboard in
establishing Jenney as a noted arranger and musician landing stints with Allen and
Rossi, Slappy White and Gloria Gaynor.
As the mirrored disco balls of the 70's faded into oblivion, Bruce's career surges
forward for the next two decades, finding it's way through many interesting and
challenging musical situations. Now, at the start of a new millennium, Jenney's
experience and inspirations have culminated into new recordings.
"The timing is right for me and music has to be made", he exclaims as the rainbow like
streams of light ricochet off his little silver disc he cradles in his hand. And if, as the
saying goes, timing is everything, then everything is truly right for Bruce Jenney.
by Ray Matuza
20th Century Guitar
"Music is my life. I am a very lucky person doing something that I love", smiles Bruce
Jenney, savoring the tid bits of his own specially marinated steak while looking out the
window of this Victorian style kitchen. The fact that Brooklyn born Jenney is quite
adept at mixing and blending in the culinary quarters may come as no surprise after one
hears his diverse approach to music.
Displaying an uncanny ability at mixing musical
genres and styles, Jenney combines his talents
as musician, vocalist, writer, producer and
arranger to yield a ubiquitous blend of "smooth
jazz" running the gamut from Latin flavored
aperitifs to Rhythm and Blues desserts.
A look at the family tree shows Jenney's roots
dig deep into the music tradition. Father,
George Jenney, played trumpet with Artie Shaw
and The Tommy Dorsey Band. Undoubtedly, the influence behind Bruce's decision to
pick up the same instrument. Uncles Bob and Jack Jenney both were employed as
trombonists, the latter having an illustrious solo career as well as being featured on
Artie Shaw's gem, "Stardust".
At 17, Bruce enjoyed his entry into the professional musician's world as part of a
promotional package with Lucille Ball and Bob Hope. Not bad company to keep!
However, soon afterwards, Uncle Sam requested his presence in another kind of
company. The U.S. Army stationed him in Anchorage, Alaska.
While the nights were cold, Jenney helped heat up as lead trumpet in the 214th Army
band. Jenney also played back up for touring acts such as Nancy Wilson and Etta
James when they came through the area. Psychedella and the summer of love provided
the fertile backdrop for a return to civilian life, finding the newly liberated G.I. soaking
up the inspirations.
Although arranging and brass instruments are Jenney's true loves, the guitar started to
become a constant companion, often finding its way into jam sessions with his fellow
Greenwich cronies like Jimi Hendrix, Curtis Knight and Felix Pappalardi, to name a
few.
Through the late 60's Jenney recorded for numerous record labels andf inally scored a
hit for Epic Records in 1968 with his band Soulosophy, doing a funky and soulful
remake of Elton John's, "Take Me to the Pilot". This served as a springboard in
establishing Jenney as a noted arranger and musician landing stints with Allen and
Rossi, Slappy White and Gloria Gaynor.
As the mirrored disco balls of the 70's faded into oblivion, Bruce's career surges
forward for the next two decades, finding it's way through many interesting and
challenging musical situations. Now, at the start of a new millennium, Jenney's
experience and inspirations have culminated into new recordings.
"The timing is right for me and music has to be made", he exclaims as the rainbow like
streams of light ricochet off his little silver disc he cradles in his hand. And if, as the
saying goes, timing is everything, then everything is truly right for Bruce Jenney.
Biography
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |