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Nick Sloan,
17, began his love with the horn at the age of eleven. He was
self-taught for the first two years of his playing and then at the
age of 13 he began taking lessons with “San Diego’s Premier
Trumpet Player” Les Kepics.
Nick’s
current teachers and mentors include: Jeff Beck, Laralee Beck, Les
Kepics, and Christopher Hollyday.
As Nick has
grown as a musician, in all forms of the art, his influences have
included many of the greats such as: Doc Severinsen, Maynard
Ferguson, Jim Manley, Adam Rappa, Dizzy Gillespie, Arturo
Sandoval, Freddie Hubbard, Miles Davis, Allen Vizzutti, Chris
Botti, Mario Gonzales, Sheila E, Brian Mills, and many others.
Currently,
Nick is a member of the Valley Center Musical Theater directed by
Laralee Beck and Tammy Merrick, Valley Center Jazz Swing Choir
directed by Laralee Beck, Valley Center Jazz Jags (lead horn)
directed by Christopher Hollyday, and Mira Costa College’s Latin
Jazz Orchestra (lead horn) directed by Mario Gonzales,
MiraCosta Oceanside Jazz Orchestra
(MOJO) (lead horn) directed by Steve Torok, and Latin Connection
(lead horn) directed by Chase Morrin.
In
addition, Nick formed his own band, Blue Vinyl, and his own
company, NSTrumpet Productions. Outside of the bands that
Nick performs with, he also teaches lessons and helps out with the
Valley Center Middle and Valley Center Elementary School music
departments.
Nick is also
very intrigued in other performing arts areas. He has played many
classical settings and weddings alongside his jazz career. In
January 2010, Nick wrote a few musical numbers to and performed as
the male lead, Danny Zuko, in Grease. Nick has also played
trumpet for Thoroughly Modern Millie, All Shook Up, and
1940’s Radio Hour at Valley Center High School, Cathedral
Catholic High School, and Mira Costa College.
Nick’s
accomplishments include playing with Mike Bogart, Jon Papenbrook,
Mario Gonzales, Sheila E, Pete Escovedo, numerous San Diego bands
such as the Blue Rockits, the Dwight Stone Big Band, the Official
San Diego Chargers Band, and a CMEA High School Honors Band (lead
horn) his Freshman year in High School.
To hear some
of Nick’s work go to
Nick's YouTube Channel
or
MySpace Page.
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