Rocky Winslow has been the Director of Jazz Studies at California State University, Chico since 2002. The Jazz Studies area boasts two big bands and several jazz combos. The premier ensemble, Jazz X-Press, has been proud to host concerts with guest artists such as Grammy Award singer Terry Richards, Bobby Shew, Greg Gisbert, Sinatra’s jazz pianist and conductor Mr. Vincent Falcone, Mark Patterson, Dave Pietro, Chief Steve Williams, Walter Blanton, Eric Gunnison, Paul Romaine, along with many others.
Winslow received his Bachelor and Masters degrees in Jazz Studies from the University Of North Texas and can be heard on five One O’Clock Lab Band CDs. In 1991, after North Texas, Winslow began his career as a professor at the University Of Nevada Las Vegas, before his eventual move to CSU Chico. In addition to his experiences as a Professor, Winslow is also a professional trumpet artist and clinician with Yamaha, appearing regularly at high schools and universities around the country. He has served as the all-state guest conductor and a trumpet clinician for Music Education Associations in Texas, Nevada, California, Arkansas, Hawaii, Australia, Japan, UK, and Scotland.
As a performer, Winslow has shared the stage, recorded, and toured with artists such as Maynard Ferguson, Tony Bennett, Jimmy Heath, Chaka Khan, Peabo Bryson, The Temptations, Don Menza Big Band, Natalie Cole, Drew Carey, Paul Anka, The Four Tops, Bob Newhart, Frankie Valli, and many others. Two of Winslow’s CD recordings, both on Troppe Note Records, Simple Complications, and Out of the Blue, feature many of his original compositions and boast some terrific players including Eddie Gomez, Stefan Karlsson, Tom Warrington, and Elliot Zigmund.
