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Wayne Bergeron is enjoying a career as one of the most active players in the world. With studio dates, International touring, jazz concerts, guest soloist appearances and clinics, he has no intention of slowing down.

Born in 1958 in Hartford, Connecticut, Bergeron grew up in Southern California where he started on French horn before switching to trumpet in the 7th grade. Although a difficult instrument to play, Bergeron took to the trumpet quickly. "I found I had natural ability for playing the trumpet in the upper register at an early age." Bergeron credits his junior high school band director and first trumpet teacher, Ron Savitt, for molding his natural abilities into practical working skills.

In 1986, Bergeron landed the lead trumpet position with the Maynard Ferguson Band. He can be heard on such MF recordings as "Body & Soul," "Big Bop Nouveau," "Brass Attitude" and "The One & Only Maynard Ferguson." Remarking on the talented trumpet player, Maynard Ferguson had this to say during a radio interview: "Wayne is the most musical lead trumpet player I've ever had on my band."

As a sideman, Bergeron's list of CD credits reads like a who's who in contemporary jazz and pop, running the stylistic gamut from Ray Charles to Green Day. Other stellar names include Beyoncé, Michael Buble, Seth MacFarland, Josh Groban, Natalie Cole, Celine Dion, Seal, Diana Krall, Tito Puente, Christina Aguilera, Dianne Reeves, Barry Manilow, Michael Bolton, Gwen Stefani, Earth Wind & Fire, The Pussy Cat Dolls, My Chemical Romance, The Mars Volta, INXS, Chicago, Rosemary Cloony, Diane Schuur, Barry Manilow, Lee Ann Womack, Lou Rawls, Eric Marienthal, Kenny G., Brian Culbertson and David Benoit.

Bergeron has worked on 300 plus TV & motion picture soundtracks. A partial list of film credits include Toy Story 3, Pixie Hollow Games, Despicable Me, Sorcerer's Apprentice, Charlie St Cloud, 2012, Percy Jackson, Cats & Dogs, Surrogates, The informant, G-force, Star Trek, Confessions of a Shopaholic, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, High School Musical 1 & 3, Race to Witch Mountain, National Treasure 1 & 2, Bedtime Stories, Pink Panther 2, Marley & Me, Role Models, The Mummy 3, Get Smart, Enchanted, Hancock, Horton Hears a Who, Semi Pro, Superman Returns, Pirates of the Caribbean 1,2&3, Ratatouille, The Simpson's Movie, Dreamgirls, Hairspray, Ice Age 2, Spiderman 1 & 2, Fantastic Four 1 & 2, Team America, Anchorman, Catch Me if You Can, South Park, Flubber and The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Wayne's featured trumpet solos can be heard on the motion pictures The Green Hornet, Duplicity, Rocky Balboa, The Incredibles, Leather Heads, Princess & the Frog, The Perfect Game, High Crimes, Rounders, Fled, Hey Arnold (the movie), The Mask, The Life Aquatic, The Rat Pack, Child Star, Illegal Tender, Aladdin King of Thieves, Foolproof, and Two Days in the Valley.

Numerous TV credits include shows such as NBC, ESPN & TNT sports themes, Entertainment Tonight Theme, Academy Awards, American Idol (2001-02), Emmy Awards, Grammy Awards, Latin Grammy's, The Goode Family, Jeopardy, America's Funniest Home Videos, Phineas & Ferb, Emperor's New School, Family Guy, American Dad, The Cleveland Show, Mouse works, Make em Laugh, House of Mouse, King of the Hill, Futurama, Buzz Lightyear, Hercules and Hey Arnold.

After being behind the scene for so many years, Bergeron stepped out on his own with his first solo effort "You Call This a Living?" This debut project earned him a Grammy nomination in 2004 for Best Large Jazz Ensemble as well as rave reviews from fans and press worldwide. Wayne's latest recording "Plays Well With Others" was released on the Concord Jazz label in 2007 is being met with the same acclaim.

Bergeron's passion for big bands has led to his inclusion in some of Los Angeles' most well respected bands. He has recorded with Quincy Jones, Gordon Goodwin, Arturo Sandoval, Pat Williams, Sammy Nestico, Jack Sheldon, Chris Walden, Tom Kubis, John La Barbara, Andy Martin, Ralph Carmichael, Bob Florence, Frank Capp, Matt Cattingub, Bill Liston, Kim Richmond, Ray Anthony, Buddy Childers, Roger Neumann, Bill Perkins, Bill Elliott, Gary Irwin, Bill Watrous, Bob Curnow and Phil Kelly.

Bergeron is a National Artist for the Yamaha Corporation of America and is co-designer of the YTR-8335LA trumpet and YFH-8315G Flugelhorn. Bergeron enjoys his work as a clinician/educator and feels it's important to "give back" by mentoring young musicians. of jazz players and teachers.

The Directors' Jazz Orchestra formerly the Madison County Area Directors' Band began as a group performing for the now defunct Anderson City Jazz Festival. The group included a small number of directors. College students were often used to fill out the band. Eventually, the band was performing at a few community events and the festival. After the festival was discontinued, the band didn't perform. Around 1999, a small group began playing for the North Side Middle School annual jazz concert. The next year, a full band was used. A year later, the group began playing at Highland High school events as well. With the continued success of the band and the uniqueness of a jazz band consisting of music teachers, the group submitted an audition tape for the IMEA convention in 2005 and 2009. After being accepted, the band began a much more full schedule. Performances include the Festival of Trees guest band at the Paramount in Anderson, feature group for the Madison County Jazz Festival, local high school and middle school concerts and events, and playing for hire at swing dances. The band is currently being contracted to play a monthly swing dance at the Paramount in Anderson.
For more information or if you would like to schedule a performance please contact Chris Taylor.