Denver School Of The Arts

Interview with legendary jazz piano player, Neil Bridge

Denver is home to legendary Jazz piano player, composer, arranger, and bandleader, Neil Bridge.  Neil, a New England Conservatory Graduate, taught music in Denver Public Schools for 28 years.  In 1978, he formed the first citywide high school jazz combo.  This talented combo was recognized by Downbeat magazine as being the best high school jazz combo in the country.  Many of his former students went on to have successful careers in the entertainment business, such as actor Don Cheadle, smooth jazz musician Nelson Rangell, saxophonist Javon Jackson, Latin percussionist Gary Sosias, and pianist David Pearl, among many others.  In 2008, the Denver School of the Arts dedicated the Neil Bridge Jazz Room to him.  His wife, Karen, tells me that while at the ceremony, when it was announced that a room was being dedicated to him, he stood up and said, “I hope it’s not the men’s room!” 

Neil was a pianist with the Denver Symphony and has performed with musicians such as Henry Mancini and Rich Little.  He has accompanied Mel Tome, Nancy Wilson, Johnny Smith and many others.  I had the opportunity to talk to Neil about his passion for music, and all of the extraordinary experiences he has experienced.  

At 8 years old, his mother wanted him to play at Carnegie Hall, and she wanted him to play classical music; however, Neil said that he “did not love classical the way I love jazz.”  When he was a sophomore in high school, he discovered influential musicians such as Duke Ellington and Count Basie.  This time in his life was a turning point for him as a musician.  Neil said the reason he loves jazz is because “you never play the same song the same way twice.”

Neil has currently written over 150 musical arrangements for his nine-piece band, Neil Bridge 7+.  The band consists of piano, bass, drums, congas, trumpet, saxophone and trombone, as well as a male and female vocalist.  His wife of 18 years, Karen Lee, is the lead female vocalist.  I asked him about his songwriting process, he tells me “at two or three in the morning, I get an idea.”  He will immediately go to his piano.  Neil said “I only get about four hours of sleep at a time because of the music going through my head.”

Announcements - DPS Launches College Ready Institutes

Denver -- Hundreds of Denver high school students are expected to take part in the district's first-ever College Ready Institutes to be held throughout the summer at several DPS high schools. These school-based institutes are designed for students who are interested in building their knowledge of the skills necessary to be successful in Advance Placement , International Baccalaureate and Concurrent Enrollment courses.  View en Español .