Born into a musical family,Jeff Brueske began his unofficial musical career singing the liturgy in church from the front pew at age 2 1/2 years. He took up the guitar at age twelve and continued his studies in high school. At college he majored in classical guitar performance, and continued on to eventually complete a Master's degree in performance and pedagogy from the University of Minnesota. He performed and composed for several classical, jazz, fusion, gospel, and pop ensembles from 1988 on, recording a CD in 1994 featuring several of his own compositions.
GUITARIST
After completing his Master's degree studying under Jeffrey Van, Jeff studied jazz improvisation from local guitarists Kevin Daley and David Singley. He began to gig around the Twin Cities at various jazz clubs and in private venues, and grew as an in demand teacher. He draws on all these experiences in his current guitar playing, focusing on solo jazz performances on the nylon string guitar. "On the nylon string guitar I try to give my performances the elegance of a classical master such as Christopher Parkening and the energy and immediacy of jazz virtuosos Django Reinhardt or Bola Sete," says Brueske.
BASSIST
In the late 1990's, inspired by jazz greats such as Charles Mingus, Charlie Haden, and Ray Brown, he took up the double bass, receiving private instruction from Anthony Cox, and briefly from Rodney Whitaker and the late Dennis Irwin. He also explored the world of the classical bass under the tutelage of Robert Anderson of the Minnesota Orchestra. He was jam session bassist for the short-lived but musically fertile venue Brilliant Corners, and began to be a sought-after freelance bassist. He has continued to be active in the musical world both as a teacher and performer on guitar and bass. He currently plays in diverse settings from avant garde bass duos to Gypsy jazz ensembles to straight ahead jazz quartets to solo recitals.
JEFF'S GUITAR PERFORMANCES INCLUDE:
Solo Recital, Ferguson Hall, University of MN, Mpls. MN
Arts Festival, School Sisters of Notre Dame, Mankato, MN
Great American History Theater, St. Paul, MN
MN Optimetric Assoc. Conference, Kahler Hotel, Rochester, MN
Joint Guitar/Marimba Recital, Roseville, Alexandria and Winona, MN
Numerous Faculty Recitals, Woodbury, MN
JEFF'S BASS PERFORMANCES INCLUDE:
Ensemble Sidewalk Cafe (founding member), 2005-present
Exquisite Corps (founding member), 2003-present
Bethel Jazz Orchestra (featured soloist), 2003, 2004
Willie August Project, 2002-present
Jazz is Now! Nonet and Quartet, 2003-present
Freelance performances with: Dennis Spears, Debbie Duncan, Pete Whitman, Kevin Washington, Connie Evingson, Patty Peterson, Charmin Michelle, Sophia Shorai, Christine Rosholt, Sue Tucker, Parisota Hot Club, Tanner Taylor, JoAnn Funk, the late Bobby Peterson, Chris Lomheim, Rick Carlson, etc.
Jeff has performed on stage at many Twin Cites venues including Northrup Auditorium, the State Theater, Bethel Great Hall, Dakota Jazz Club, the Southern Theater, the Ritz Theater, and the Cedar Cultural Center.