Todd Brunel

Todd Brunel is an innovative, critically acclaimed clarinetist who leads a dual life as a cross-over classical and jazz musician. "Tremendous virtuosity and heart," the Boston Globe. He has played principal clarinet with Opera Ebony of Harlem, the Bulgarian Virtuosi, ALEA III, the Andover Chamber Players and many New York and Boston area orchestras. As a sought after advocate of contemporary musical styles, he has premiered works by such composers as Rick Sowash, George Brunner, the Alta Voz composers Alliance, Vuk Kulenovic, Vache Sharyfyan and Lawrence 'Butch' Morris. Brunel's numerous guest appearances include: Carnegie Hall, Harvard University, the Academy of Music Art and Dance (Bulgaria), the Manhattan School, CBGB's Gallery, The SEAMUS Festival, the National Black Arts Festival (with Lilli Lewis) and the Montreal Jazz Festival. Brunel produced the critically acclaimed 'Vortex Series for improvisational music, which was the jazz "Pick of the week" in the Boston Phoenix and Boston Globe. In addition to premieres of his own compositions, his "powerful polyrhythmic improvisations," (Somerville Arts council) earned him, "A true cat, heavy pro," from the gods of music.com.

Brunel received a Bachelors of Music degree in clarinet performance from the Boston Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Atilio Poto and Pasquale Cardillo. He has pursued graduate study at the Longy School and was a graduate assistant to Paul Shelden at Brooklyn College Conservatory. He was a scholarship recipient at the Aspen Music Festival and has studied with Thomas Martin, Jonathan Cohler, composition with Sam Headrick and jazz with Bob Mover and Peter Cassino.