J. Fred Powell

Elkhart, Indiana-Mr. J. Fred Powell officially joined the E.K. Blessing team as the Director of Artistic Development. Mr. Powell has over 20 years of experience in brass instrument performance, customization, design, manufacturing and promotion. He began a repair apprenticeship during the mid 1980's as a sideline to performing and has since gone on to hold music industry positions in product management, instrument design, marketing, and sales management. Most recently, Powell was the owner of TrumpeTech, Inc. with locations in Downers Grove, Illinois and Elkhart, Indiana, where he produced his proprietary line, J.F. Powell Signature Trumpets. As Director of Artistic Development, Powell will now be based in our new Elkhart, Indiana facility overseeing the design, production and quality of all Blessing brass instruments. He will also serve as the primary brass artist liaison and work with our artists who visit the shop.

Powell earned undergraduate and masters degrees in trumpet performance from Bob Jones University and The Florida State University, respectively. Having performed in the past with the Florida Symphony, Brevard Orchestra, Jacksonville Symphony and others, he remains an active freelance musician in the Chicago area, also performing occasionally with the South Bend Symphony, Northshore Concert Band, Quintessence Brass and others. Still a full-time member of the Artisans in Brass, he has also toured with the Boston Brass, Fiddler on the Roof, The Music Man, Sweeney Todd, and has been a featured soloist with both the Orlando Concert Band and the Elkhart Municipal Band on their sister-city tour of England. A co-founder of the National Trumpet Competition, Powell now serves as Associate Director of the organization and also on the Executive Board. Having been a clinician at numerous trumpet festivals, university programs and music education events, as well as a frequent soloist with various middle schools, high school, collegiate and municipal bands, he will now be available to serve in these same roles on behalf of the new E.K. Blessing.

Source: Christina Guiliano-Cobas, Marketing Manager, Verne Q. Powell Flutes, Inc./E.K. Blessing