Howie Shear
Howie is a Van Laar Trumpets artist (http://www.vanlaartrumpets.nl/en/)  and endorses Bob Reeves mouthpieces (http://www.bobreeves.com/).  He received a Bachelors in Education from Fredonia State University in 1975, a Masters in JAZZ Studies from the Eastman School of Music in 1977, and a Doctorate in Music from the University of Southern California in 2002.  He studied with James F. Burke, Raymond Crisara, and Carmine Caruso.  Howie toured with the Woody Herman Band as lead trumpet player and featured soloist in 1980.  After the tour he moved to Los Angeles and worked as a studio musician and soloist.  The extensive list of artists he has worked with includes: The Chuck Mangione Orchestra, Tony Bennett, George Benson, Mel Torme, The Temptations, and The Spinners.  He was musical arranger and lead trumpet player on the Joan Rivers Late Night Show.  Howie has also played various shows at the Ahmanson Theater and many JAZZ festivals around the world where he has held trumpet and JAZZ improvisation clinics.  Arranger and producer of various JAZZ albums, Howie currently has his own JAZZ quartet.  His classical work includes playing with brass quintets and choirs, solo church work, and solo work in the studios.  In addition to his performance work, Howie is an instructor of JAZZ Trumpet at California State University at Northridge and also at the Los Angeles College of Music.

Michael Wenslow
This is not a typical musician web bio.  Michael currently makes his living in technology.  He attended Berklee College of Music, studying privately and reading voraciously.  After spending nine months with a road show, he moved to Los Angeles in 1983 where he immediately realized that he would be unable to compete with the likes of Howie Shear anytime soon.  Fortunately, by then composition and arranging had already become his main pursuit.  However, he found he was much better at doing the jobs than he was at getting hired to do the jobs…a totally different thing.  For approximately four years, he ran an independent record label which did not survive.  At that time, around the age of 35, he left the music business in pursuit of a steady income (family and house payment).  Now that the kids are grown he is becoming more active in music.  In particular, working to expand the awareness, appreciation, and performance of JAZZ in the 21st century!

Michael has a BA in Liberal Studies from Thomas Edison State College and holds many technology certifications.  He is a member of The Recording Academy (Producers and Engineers Wing), the American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers, the National Association of Composers/USA, the International Trumpet Guild, and Mensa.