Brett Sroka is a trombonist and composer with influences and inspiration as diverse as the world of music itself. His playing reflects the tradition of fluid, powerful trombonists like J.J. Johnson, Fred Wesley and Robin Eubanks. As a composer, Srokas music can be both propulsive and oblique, seamlessly integrating composition and improvisation, echoing the icons from Duke Ellington to Jimi Hendrix.A native of Lexington, Massachusetts, Sroka first picked up the trombone at age ten, growing up playing in everything from the orchestra and wind ensemble to marching band and jazz ensemble of his local schools. After graduation, he attended the Manhattan School of Music, exposing Sroka first hand to New Yorks thriving music scene. While he studied during the day with trombone masters such as Britt Woodman of the Duke Ellington Orchestra and Saturday Night Live musician and jazz figure Steve Turre, at night Sroka took advantage of the citys abundance of talent and diversity, exploring everything from hip-hop and electronica to rock and classical. A self-taught composer, Sroka studied dozens of Ellington scores, and favorite jazz, funk, rock, avant-garde and classical recordings. With an Ellingtonian approach to structure, color and rhythm, and an improvisational aesthetic akin to Ornette Coleman and Miles Davis, Srokas evolving style is fresh and distinctive.Since receiving his B.A. in 1997, Sroka has played with groups of all genres. Earlier this year, Sroka was awarded a composition grant from the New York Department of Cultural Affairs, premiering on November 10th in Astoria. Most recently, Sroka has been busy writing and performing with his group around New York and the East Coast. Srokas debut CD, Hearsay, featuring notable musicians including Bluenote recording artist Jason Moran, is slated for U.S. release in late 2002. Acclaimed saxophonist Greg Osby describes Hearsay as, "one of the best prepared, most conceptually sound presentations that Ive heard in some time. Great compositions and a solid group aesthetic."Sroka intends to tour the East Coast promoting Hearsay in Spring 2003. Read less