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ALEX NORRIS - TRUMPET

Trumpeter Alex Norris is a native of Maryland, where he began studying trumpet and piano at the age of 9. His involvement in Latin music began with the Baltimore/DC-based Latin Jazz group Rumba Club; whose recordings were produced by Andy Gonzalez. Through this association, Andy got Alex involved with many recordings and projects upon his move to New York City. Most notably, Andy Gonzalez brough Alex into Manny Oquendo Y Libre; where he was a member for over 15 years.

Another long association in Latin Music that Alex has had was with the great timbalero Ralph Irizarry as a member of his seminal Latin Jazz group, Timbalaye. He also recorded with his Salsa group, Son Café. Some of the other artists in Latin Music Alex has worked with include Eddie Palmieri, Poncho Sanchez, Sammy Figueroa, Tito Allen, Monguito Santamaria, Giovanni Hildago, Samuel Torres, Marlon Simon and Nagual Spirits, Arturo O’Farrill’s Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, Dafnis Prieto, and Spanish Harlem Orchestra.

In the Jazz world, Alex has worked with Betty Carter, Slide Hampton, Ron Carter, Joshua Redman, Brad Mehldau, Brian Blade, Carl Allen, The Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, and Maria Schneider. Furthermore, he has performed and/or recorded with Incognito, US3, Steve Winwood, Gloria Estefan, and Dr. John. He continues to perform with The Mingus Big Band as well as his own straight-ahead Jazz quintet. He holds degrees in music from the Peabody Institute (Baltimore), the Manhattan School of Music, and the University of Miami.