RUSH HOUR with Jerry Grant and the L.A. NuJazz Alternative

BIOGRAPHY

Having had a career in film composition since 1978, Composer/Conductor Jerry J. Grant has scored and supervised or conducted nearly 500 episodes of television film and features.

Jerry began his career as a jazz/studio musician in Detroit, contributing to MOTOWN tracks, while composing and performing in the concert medium. He attended WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY where he received a first degree in music and subsequently attended the DETROIT INSTITUTE OF MUSICAL ARTS. While serving in the U.S. Army, Jerry was chosen for the faculty at the band training school. Entering the All Army entertainment contest, he became a finalist with his co-led jazz group. From there he was chosen to be musical director and arranger for the ROLLING ALONG SHOW (a 25 member variety review) which toured the world entertaining military personnel. Relocating to Los Angeles and continuing an advanced degree in composition at USC, he became a studio performing musician on saxophone and flute and began vocal, string and horn arranging for records as well as songwriting, landing a contract at ABC records.

The year 1999 signalled a return to his roots with a new alternative jazz/rock orchestra, the music being an eclectic blend of dramatic music, jazz, rock and symphonic techniques. The NUJAZZ ALTERNATIVE was born with a CD being released in 2001.

Studying conducting while receiving a master's degree in composition from CAL STATE UNIVERSITY NORTHRIDGE led to conducting the musicals HELLO DOLLY, MAME and CABARET. Jerry was also the guest conductor at the Sun Valley Idaho Summer Symphony, conducted the premiere of his composition, ALCHEMY, with the UCLA Wind Ensemble in 2000 and conducted the premiere of his work, CLASSICAL SERENADE with the Music in the Mountains Chamber Orchestra in 2006. He also performs with the Nevada County Composer's Cooperative.

His experience includes conducting many motion pictures and television shows for other composers in Los Angeles. As an orchestrator, he has created glittering sounds for DISNEY ON ICE for years as a well as contributing to feature films.

Jerry taught Composing and Conducting for Film at UCLA for 12 years and currently is a visiting professor at CSU CHICO in composition and orchestration. As a member of the SCL (Society of Composers and Lyricists) he served on the board of directors, headed the SCL's seminar program as well as their representative to BMI. He is a member of BMI. 

All original compositions, the project is a challenging blend of pre-programmed digital audio (synths, percussion, strings and keyboards) and 13 live musicians. The CD RUSH HOUR with Jerry Grant and the L.A. NuJazz Alternative, features L.A.'s finest studio artists. They include:

  Jerry Grant - Composer/Conductor and programming

  Phil Feather - Alto Sax, flute, piccolo, English horn

  Glen Garrett - Soprano and tenor sax, flute

  Jay Mason - Baritone sax, flute

  John Mitchell - Baritone sax, flute, bassoon

  Wayne Bergeron - Trumpet, flugelhorn

  John Fumo - Trumpet, Flugelhorn

  Alan Kaplan - Trombone

  Jim Atkinson - French horn

  Greg Williams - French horn

  Jim Self - Tuba, bass trombone, fluba

  Ross DeRoche - Tuba, bass trombone, fluba

  Alan Steinberger - Keyboards

  John Goux - Electric guitar

  Mitch Holder - Electric guitar

  Karl Vincent - Electric bass

  Willie Ornelas - Drums

  Brad Dutz – Percussion