Home » Member Page

Bruce Guthrie

Bruce Guthrie is a musician and citizen of the jazz music universe.

About Me

Bruce Guthrie has an over 30-year music performance experience. While attending college he won the regional championship of the National Collegiate Talent Search.

Bruce has sung jazz professionally in the “west coast cool” tradition pioneered by Oklahoma-born international jazz icon Chet Baker for many years. Working with Chet’s son, Paul, he has served as business representative of all of the heirs of the Chet Baker estate for 11 years arranging deals from film to new music offerings and the collection of global royalties, and he was the co-founder of the Chet Baker Foundation 501 ( c ) 3, based in Tulsa whose honorary board includes Sharon Stone, Hugh Hefner, Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, the late Dave Brubeck…and many others.

www.chetbakerjazz.com

In 2005 Bruce founded the annual Chet Baker Tribute concert that has been staged at numerous places in Oklahoma, The OK Mozart Festival, The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, The National Press Club in Washington, DC, and other venues.

He is also the founder and organizer of the Chet Baker Jazz Festival held annually in Yale, Oklahoma (Baker’s home town)

He has also worked with the estate of iconic jazz pianist Bill Evans on specified business projects.

One of eight children Bruce received degrees from The University of Tulsa and Tulsa Community College. He studied journalism, international business communications and he speaks German as a second language. Bruce’s mother, Helen, served on the White House West Wing staff of President Ronald Reagan.

My Jazz Story

I love jazz because its ever expanding wonder. I was first exposed to jazz was to Nat Cole when I was a child. The best show I ever attended was...all of them. The first jazz record I bought was..."The Best of Chet Baker Sings" My advice to new listeners...enjoy.