Dominic Spera

Composer/arranger Dominic Spera has written many charts for his own bands which are frequently performed by bands all over the globe. Many of his charts published by the C. L. Barnhouse Company are in the “most performed” category at major jazz festivals and competitions, and are featured on his CD entitled “Chops, Don’t Fail Me Now!”

As a trumpet player, Dominic spent nine years in New York City performing with many great jazz musicians and groups, including Lionel Hampton, Andy Kirk, Charlie Barnet, Billy Butterfield, and the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. He has also played lead trumpet for Burt Bacharach, Johnny Mathis, Andy Williams, Henry Mancini, and many others.

As an educator, Dominic developed an award-winning jazz program at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, and he has taught at many jazz camps. A frequent director and clinician for All-State jazz groups, he recently retired from the music faculty of Indiana University, where he achieved a distinguished reputation as a mainstay of their great jazz program.