I’m a trumpet player of 45 years. Like many others, I started in grade school and began performing in the church at a very, very early age. “The SPARKS†was the first group that I performed with in my family’s African Methodist Episcopal church that was managed by my Mother, “Mommy,†who shared the title of MY HERO with my Father, acted as agent as well. She booked the group of five brass players (three trumpets and two trombones) at all the neighborhood churches to perform hymns at special functions and services. Influenced heavily by one of the group members, Marvin Turner, who was two years my senior, I excelled rapidly, but never seemed to catch “Poncho†(as we called him). I would have never kept my interest in playing the trumpet if it wasn’t for him. There is a lot of space and time between those experiences and now.I am presently Founder and Director of GEQ Jazz Entertainment, based in Detroit Michigan. Armed with a stable of four bands and a DJ, I pride myself as band leader of my first and principle group, “GEQ,†the (Guymon Ensley Quintet). They are a group of the finest professionals around. We play straight ahead (classic) jazz and have recently parleyed our efforts into a genre called “nu-jazz.†Our repertoire consists of many of my original works that will be available very shortly as downloads. A third CD is planned for 2009.The first CD, entitled “Here Put This On,†was released in 2003. It’s an array of exciting arrangements of tunes written and performed by Charlie Parker, Miles Davis and Wayne Shorter, as well three of my original works. The second CD, “Meet Guymon Ensley,†was released in 2006. It is an extended play release of four contemporary works. The single from the CD, “She’s On Her Way,†is still doing its thing as an alluring smooth jazz number that will never die.GEQ continues to bring the best in classic jazz in that genuine GEQ style. The band’s high energy has been compared respectfully to the likes of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and the John Coltrain and Miles Davis ensembles and has received acceptance from worldwide audiences. We recently completed our fourth international tour to Nigril, Jamaica and the Hawaiian and Eastern Caribbean Islands.
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This profile was edited with icedbun.com Editor
This profile was edited with icedbun.com Editor
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