Album Notes

GUNNAR BIGGS has been a prominent figure in the musical environment in Southern California for forty years. He recently retired from San Diego State University where he was the Instructor of Double Bass for twenty-five years and Palomar College where he directed the jazz ensembles. He continues to teach bass at Cal State San Marcos, Mira Costa and Palomar College. Gunnar has a large number of private students and is an active performer, clinician and guest artist. Gunnar received a scholarship to North Texas State University to attend their prestigious jazz program but left his studies early to take a position with the San Diego Symphony at age 19. At age 20, he left the Symphony to go on the road with drummer, Buddy Rich and has performed with major jazz artists ever since including Thad Jones, Tommy Flanagan, Mose Allison, Sheila Jordan, Kenny Barron, Red Norvo, Papa John Creach, Shelley Manne, Jack Sheldon, Don Menza, Charles McPherson, Barney Kessel, Peter Sprague, etc. Although he enjoys notoriety in the jazz genre, Gunnar is active in the classical world as well and has performed with the San Diego Opera, San Diego Chamber Orchestra and Orquesta de Baja California. Gunnar holds a Bachelor of Arts in Ethnic Studies and Global Arts from California State University San Marcos as well as a teaching credential in Language Arts.

This year Gunnar released ‘footprint’, his first album as a leader. The CD features eleven original compositions and the talents of Peter Sprague, Duncan Moore, John Opferkuch and others.