The Aaron Bahr Septet - Places (Real and Imagined) (2021)

Aaron Bahr is a trumpeter, composer, and teacher living and working in New York City, where he performs both as a bandleader and sideman.
Since moving to New York in 2015 he has performed with many fine musicians, including Dave Liebman, Fukushi Tainaka, and Don Hahn, at some of the best Jazz clubs in the city, including Smalls, Fat Cat, and Zinc Bar. He has performed as a member of the Jazz Quintet Groove Merchant, recording on their self-titled 2016 album and touring Japan in March 2017. He also performs regularly with Pianist/Composer Tetsuro Hoshii's group "The Doggy Cats."

Aaron has also earned accolades for his big band writing, winning both the 2015 SF Jazz HUT Foundation Alumni Commission award and the 2015 Jazz in the Neighborhood Emerging Composer Competition.

Aaron has dedicated his efforts to the next generation of musicians as a music educator. He teaches at the Brooklyn Music School, where he is an instructor of trumpet, piano, and has developed curriculum for their summer Jazz Intensive for young musicians interested in learning about Jazz music.

Aaron earned his Bachelor’s of Jazz Composition from Berklee College of music where Aaron studied under Tiger Okoshi, Greg Hopkins, and Phil Wilson. During this time Aaron also recorded his first album titled Prologue, an adventurous compilation of original compositions and arrangements for a ten-piece ensemble. After his studies at Berklee, Aaron was admitted to the New England Conservatory where he earned his Master’s. There he studied with the trumpeter Laurie Frink, who had a profound influence on his trumpet playing and technique. Aaron also continued his Jazz Composition studies under Ken Schaphorst, and studied improvisation with Jerry Bergonzie and Miguel Zenon.

From Boston Aaron moved to New York City, where he now works as a trumpet player, composer, and teacher. He works hard to create music that is stimulating both intellectually and emotionally.