Bruce Revels:  

I've been in New York for many years now. I enrolled first out of Collinwood at Case Western Reserve Univ as a Computer Engineering major. I stayed 3 1/2 years and spent most of my time in the music practice room (practicing the saxophone and clarinet) rather than the Computer Lab. By the time I left, many people thought I was a music major. The only A's I was getting consistently were coming in Jazz History and Styles, or any other music electives. I finally had a talk with one roommate who said "you're a computer engineering major who seems to have almost no interest in computers, whatsoever. Why are you here?" He was right and I left Case Western Reserve that next semester in 1977, transferred to Boston's, Berklee School of Music for a year, then joined the army for a 3 year stint playing in a military band mostly in Chicago. After I left the Army, I went back to Berklee and got my BA. Supported myself by playing jazz, blues, salsa and merengue. Then I moved to New York City and got my Masters Degree at Manhattan School of Music. Between the military and gigging on a regular basis I was able to pay for my schooling -- a relief to my parents, I'm sure, since as you can imagine, weren't to thrilled about my leaving CWRU on an engineering scholarship for a career as a jazz musician! Made my living as a jazz saxophone, clarinet, and flute player for almost 20 years. Got a recording contract with a German jazz record label (Enja) and released an album called "Survivors" under my performing name, "Bud Revels." The album can still be found in jazz cutout bins or online in various places. Over the years of playing I was blessed to perform with Buddy Rich, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight and the Pips, the Temps, Lou Rawls, BB King, did a video with Phil Collins ... these are one I can remember. I've met Miles davis, Herbie Hancock, Bonnie Raitt, Quincy Jones, Deborah Harry, Vanessa Williams, ... a bunch of folks that I've admired in the music industry. Been blessed to travel ...Expand for more