30.04. – Happy Birthday !!! Buddy Clements is a native of southern California. Growing up in the South Bay area, he attended Hawthorne High School where he was extremely active in the music program, both in instrumental and choir classes. In addition to the high school program, Clements performed in numerous community, honor and youth orchestras and bands (including the Inglewood Toppers Boys Band).
His mother fostered a deep passion for both the arts and athletics in all four of her children. Along with his four uncles, she had been a performer and song writer in their native Missouri, as well as on local radio stations after relocating to southern California. She always encouraged her children to follow their passions, to never be afraid of hard work, to protect their integrity and to seek God’s direction for their lives.
Clements attended the University of Redlands where he received both his Bachelors & Masters in Tuba Performance. He studied tuba and bass trombone with James R. Jorgenson, Tommy Johnson and world famous tubist Roger Bobo. Some of his fellow classmates at the U of R include jazz sax great Gerald Albright and guitarist John Jorgenson. While a member of the Disney All-American College Band, Clements furthered his studies of the music industry through California Institute for the Arts.
His composition teachers include Dr. Barney Childs, Don Brandon Ray, Frank Campos, and arranger Butch Evans.
While a student at Redlands, Clements produced a nationally-recognized and successful jazz concert series which featured artists such as Buddy Rich, Count Basie, Woody Herman, Stan Kenton, Bobby Shew, Maynard Ferguson, Bill Watrous, Louie Bellson, Supersax and other jazz greats.
For several years, Clements led his own Gospel Jazz Big Band, The Sound Decision, performing at churches and jazz festivals throughout California. This unique ensemble also recorded an album of original songs and arrangements primarily written by Clements.
As a musician Clements has performed with Glenn Campbell, Roger Williams, Mel Torme, Charlie Daniels, Tony Orlando, James Galway, Doc Severinsen, Benny Goodman, Lee Greenwood, the Gatlin Brothers, David Foster, John Tesh, Marilyn McCoo, Shirley Jones, Sandi Patti, the Canadian Brass and Gordon MaCrae to name but a few.
As a conductor, Clements has shared the stage with Roger Williams, Charlie Daniels, Shirrill Milnes, Linda Hopkins, James Walker, Debby Boone, CeeCee Wians, Cheryl Keaggy, Steve Wilkerson, Frederico, Bobby Shew and Bill Watrous as well as many others. For several years, Clements served as the Associate Conductor for the Hour of Power Orchestra at the Crystal Cathedral as part of the Hour of Power Television Ministry with Dr. Robert Schuller.
As a producer, he has produced concerts for Count Basie, Buddy Rich, Maynard Ferguson (3), Stan Kenton (2), Woody Herman, Louie Bellson (2), Bobby Shew, Bill Watrous, Glenn Miller Orchestra, Supersax, Matrix IX, and several others.
As a music educator, Clements has built one of the finest public high school music programs in the state of California, composed of 4 concert bands, two string orchestras (170 string musicians), a symphony orchestra, an award-winning jazz band, a 250 member marching band, as well as an outstanding collegiate concert band program at Cal-Poly Pomona University. He has been much in demand as an adjudicator for many years.
His Professional Affiliations include: American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) both as a composer and publisher, National Academy of Recording, Arts and Sciences, National Association of Jazz Educators, California Teachers Association, Music Educators National Conference, Tri-M Society, College Music Society, Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, Southern California School Band & Orchestra Association. California Leadership Academy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkHG9oYuaBs
