Pete has been playing trumpet since 1974 (during which time, he has had 28 private instructors from all of the recognized “schools” of trumpet/brass teaching/pedagogy including: Stamp, Jacobs/Cichowicz, Vacchiano, Adam, Gordon, Caruso, Stevens/Costello, and Callet. He began his studies (at Stanroy Music Center) with Steve Braet in 1977 (Steve was a Graduate of USC, Student of James Stamp, a member of the Santa Rosa Symphony, and the Band Director at El Molino High at that time). Although Pete began teaching in 1983, he took over the legacy of his first mentor at Stanroy’s in 1996. Pete’s teaching expertise lies in working on the mechanics and fundamentals of good brass playing with his students (who range in age from 7 to 90). Once a solid foundation has been established and can be maintained, the pursuit of excellence in Jazz Improvisation, Lead Playing, and/or Symphonic or Solo Literature will fall into place easily.
Pete has a Bachelor of Professional Music from Berklee College (1987, Boston, MA), a Master of Fine Arts Degree from California Institute of the Arts (2001, Valencia, CA), and a Teaching Certificate from the Northern California Center for the Alexander Technique (2011, Redwood City, CA) indicating that he has been approved by the American Society for the Alexander Technique to teach. In addition to being cleared by the Department of Justice and the Sonoma County Office of Education (where he holds a 30 day teaching permit), Pete has been approved by numerous city school districts (Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Sebastopol, Analy, and Larkspur) to work as a Trumpet, Jazz, and Brass Coach in the California public school system.
He has been an Adjunct Instructor at Santa Rosa Junior College since 1996 where he has taught Applied Music: Trumpet, Jazz Big-Band, Jazz Combos, Jazz Appreciation, Beginning and Intermediate Jazz Improvisation, World Music Appreciation, and Music Fundamentals. Pete was the Studio Trumpet Instructor and taught Beginning Jazz Improvisation, Jazz Ensembles, and Jazz History at Sonoma State University from 1999-2011. On the faculty at Pacific Union College since 2009, he teaches Trumpet for Music Majors and performs with students and faculty regularly on that campus. At Napa Valley College since 2020, Pete is currently directing the Jazz Ensemble and teaching Applied Trumpet.
In the late 1980’s through the mid 1990s, Pete worked for Carnival, Princess, and Holland America Cruise lines as a soloist and lead player. He has appeared on 7 albums by local artists in a variety of idioms including Mel Graves’ “Ear Shot”, Bonnie Brooks’ “You are the Song in Me”, Steve Wolf’s “Joy Button”, and Al Gruber’s “This Ain’t the Last Time”. Pete’s Transcriptions of Miles Davis’ improvised jazz solos appeared with the Concord Music Group’s re-release of the Prestige Sessions in 2006 and 2009. His transcriptions and arrangements of Ellington’s Queen’s Suite were performed by the Danish National Radio Orchestra in 1991.
Pete’s regular appearances with the Ukiah, Lake County, and Vallejo Symphony (Benecia Ballet) are augmented by performances with the “Polished Brass Quintet” and his own Jazz group (both of which include faculty members from SRJC and SSU). His Theater experience includes playing shows at Cinnebar, The Raven, 6th Street Playhouse, SRT, and Spreckles Center. In addition to being a regular in local bands like Crossfire (Top 40) and Swing 7 (20’s-50’s), Pete has served as Racetrack Bugler on the Northern California Horse Racing Circuit since 1986 where he performs each summer at county fairs in Sonoma, Alameda, and Humboldt County as well as the Sacramento State Fair and Cal-Expo Harness Racing.
Pete’s solo debut album release may be found here: https://peteestabrook.hearnow.com/
PETE IS NOW OFFERING LESSONS IN-PERON AND ONLINE. PLEASE CONTACT HIM TO SET UP LESSONS IN EITHER FORMAT.
Pete’s Contact Information:
peter@useselfwell.com
707-836-3041
