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Biography
With over 35 years of experience, Dr. David Rajewski has performed and recorded with artists and groups as diverse as, The Temptations, Kirt Elling, Dee Dee Bridgewater, The Four Tops, The Vervepipe, David Liebman, Tom Harrell, John Fedchock, Rob McConnell, Arturo Sandoval, Jiggs Whigham, James Carter, Slide Hampton, Charlie Persip, Ed Polarmo, Andrew Woolfolk (Earth, Wind & Fire), Melvin Davis, Van Lester, Steve Lippia, Fred Hess, Leslie Gore, Ron Miles, Dave Douglas and Matt Wilson. Although a Michigan native, David’s fine trumpet playing has allowed him to perform throughout the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, and twelve countries throughout Europe.
David received his BM degree in Jazz Studies from Wayne State University in Detroit while studying and performing with renowned trumpeter Marcus Belgrave. After spending time in New York playing Lead Trumpet for Charlie Persip's Big Band he moved back to Detroit. In addition to performing locally in various musical settings and nationally with the Temptations Review, David also accepted a position as Production Assistant at Yessian Music. There he produced numerous local and national T.V./radio commercials as well as two episodes for the Discovery channel's "Med-Air" documentary series.
David moved to Denver in 2004 to pursue and later receive his MM in Trumpet Performance at the University of Colorado working as a Graduate Teaching Assistant to Terry Sawchuk. He later completed his DMA in Jazz Studies at the University of Colorado (2016). While in Denver David performed in the areas top Jazz, Classical, Latin, Pop and Funk settings with groups such as the Motet, Fire It Up Brass Band, Ninth & Lincoln Jazz Orchestra, Wil Swindler's Elevenet, Adam Bartczak Republic, La Candella, Conjunto Colores, Fred Hess Big Band, H2 Big Band, Vail Valley Theatre Company, Buell Theatre, and the Arvada Center for the Performing Arts. From 2014 - 2017 David was also a founding member & band leader for Rockslide, which became known as one of the most in-demand event bands in the Colorado region.
As an educator he has worked with numerous public/private Detroit and Denver area schools through independent music programs, clinics, special classes and private lessons. David has also taught for Naropa University (2006), University of Colorado Continuing Education Program and adjudicated for the UNC Greeley Jazz Festival (2012). David currently conducts educational outreach through the Park Hill Brass, DaVinci Center for the Musical Arts and the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts. Throughout the years David’s trumpet students have been awarded scholarships to the University of North Texas, University of Miami, University of Colorado, University of Northern Colorado and the Lamont School of Music.
In 2009 David founded the Legacy Jazz Orchestra, a project dedicated to performing and preserving the music and legacy of the late great Thad Jones. The band featured Denver's top professional jazz musicians and was featured at the Five Points Jazz Festival (2010) and on Jazz 89.3 KUVO.
In May 2017 David released his new album, Yesterday's Tomorrows. The recording features eight original compositions in a modern sextet setting and is co-produced by Greg Gisbert. The album includes Daryl Gott - Alto Sax, Eric Erhardt - Tenor Sax/Flute, Eric Gunnison - Piano, John Grigsby - Bass and Daniel Hogans - Drums.
In 2018 Dr. Rajewski accepted the High Brass Instructor position at the Michigan State University Community Music School in Detroit, MI.
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