George Stone (composer)

George Stone (born January 19, 1965) is an American musician and educator. He has composed or arranged over 100 works for instrumental ensembles, with the bulk of his material for jazz band.

History
George has enjoyed jazz music since the age of 5 when he first heard Maynard Ferguson’s record called Newport Suite. By first grade he listened daily to recordings of groups such as the Four Freshmen, The Hi-Lo’s, Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Bud Shank, Frank Rosolino, Howard Roberts, the Sauter-Finegan Orchestra, the Candoli brothers, Gerry Mulligan and Paul Desmond. He memorized the layers of each tune, from the melody to the bass line, to the accompaniment parts and horn parts. But a particular record called Mavis Meets Shorty created commotion in his first grade classroom. “My teacher asked us to tell what our favorite song was and to sing it. At my turn I said, ‘I Remember You’ to which every student looked confused. I validated their fears and those of the teacher by singing not only the lyrics but all the band parts as well. Gratifyingly, I later came to know and work with the son of Mavis Rivers, the legendary Matt Catingub, with whom I shared many warm recollections of that recording.”

While his jazz initiation was rich, his family was not. Because his parents could not afford piano lessons, he taught himself how to read music while practicing on the family’s reed (pump) organ. By the age of 8 he could play most of the music in family songbooks as well as complex chord structures and progressions. The reed organ forced him to hold onto the keys while changing chords (since they would stop sounding upon release) and this performance practice was instrumental in developing his approach to piano playing and later, orchestration.

In 5th grade he began playing trumpet in the beginning band and within the first three weeks he could play all the music. The director invited him to play in the junior high advanced band. George would bicycle to the junior high rehearsal at 7:30 AM and then ride back to the elementary school for an 8:45 AM start.

To pay for trumpet lessons, he worked at a local music store in Newhall (now Santa Clarita, CA) and took lesson from Bob Hughes. At the age of 12 he began writing for and directing his first jazz combo, and by age 13 he wrote his first large ensemble arrangements followed by his first big band arrangement at age 14. He then attended the outstanding program at Hart High School under the direction of Larry Thornton, writing and composing music for all their ensembles while concurrently enrolled at College of the Canyons (COC) in Valencia, CA, performing under the direction of composer, arranger and teacher Stewart "Dirk" Fischer. Fischer became his first composing mentor and their musical and personal association continues today. Upon graduation he enrolled at CSU Northridge where he became a member of the outstanding Jazz A-Band for whom he composed and arranged extensively. He thrived under the expert tutelage of instructors Roy Poper, Gary Pratt and Joel Leach. The close proximity to both Hollywood and Los Angeles offered him a valuable integration with the professional music scene. By age 20 he was leading his own big band and writing for live shows and television.

Upon completion of his degree at CSU Northridge, he began teaching instrumental music at Hart High School. In 1996 he moved to the Central Coast of CA and has since enjoyed a career in music performance, composition and music education for over 20 years. He currently directs the Audio Technology Program and teaches Music Theory and Composition at Cuesta CollegeSan Luis Obispo, CA., LA Times 12/8/2000

Artists and groups with whom he has been privileged to work include Maynard Ferguson, Clare Fischer, Dave Grusin, Tom Scott, the American Jazz Philharmonic and the Tonight Show Orchestra with Doc Severinsen. He has composed for CBS, NBC, HBO, ABC and Disney. He is in demand as a recording engineer and producer for high schools, college groups and professional musicians nationally.

His extensive participation as a festival adjudicator and clinician has included the California Music Educators Association (CMEA), California Band Director’s Association (CBDA), Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA), Buchanan HS, Dos Pueblos HS, Folsom HS, Westlake HS, University of New Mexico, CSU Sacramento, CSU Northridge, Northern Arizona State University, Bellevue College (WA), Fresno City College, College of San Mateo, Monterey Next Generation Festival, Eastern Washington University, Delta College, Fort Lewis College (CO) and Reno International jazz festivals.

George has directed all levels of the California State Jazz All Star honor bands and has appeared as the CSU Fresno guest composer/conductor, CSU Northridge guest composer/conductor, FMCMEA honor jazz director, New Mexico All State jazz band director, Ventura County All Star jazz band director and Reno honor jazz director.

Trip Through the Grand Canyon
An interesting but rarely known fact is that George is the composer of an original piece of music called "Trip Through the Grand Canyon." It was composed in 1990 for Passport Designs (for whom he worked as MIDI producer) to be used in various MIDI applications, but as Passport Designs neared the end of their operation, they reportedly gave the music to Microsoft in a final effort for free publicity. Interestingly, the music file clearly showed the designation Provided by Passport Designs but did not list George Stone as the composer. Microsoft renamed the file Canyon.MID where it was released on Microsoft Windows 3.1 up through and including Windows 2000. Never apprised of the Microsoft acquisition, and being an exclusive Mac computer user, George never saw nor heard it until others had told him about it. After confirming that the piece was indeed his composition, George was advised by a musician friend to seek legal advice, later consulting the firm of Rosenfeld, Meyer and Susman LLP in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, upon review it was determined that though George was the original composer and copyright holder, he had signed a contract that gave Passport exclusive publishing rights to the music. Consequently, George never received royalties, compensation, nor credit as the composer. In one last effort, he wrote a letter to Microsoft explaining the situation and requested a meeting to discuss the issue, his reasoning based upon the fact that although Passport was the holder of the publishing rights, he was nevertheless the composer and wanted to have at least his name listed as such. By this time, Passport Designs had all but ceased operation and was acquired by G-Vox, supporting the rationale to credit George for his work. No meeting ever transpired after which George decided it best to abandon pursuing the issue.

Music
Selected Published/Copyrighted Anthology of George Stone Compositions and Arrangements for Jazz Ensemble

All or Nothing at All, Composed by Arthur Altman and Jack Lawrence; Arranged George Stone; Hal Leonard Publishing

Autumn Leaves, Composed by Joseph Kosma, Johnny Mercer, Jacques Prevert; Arranged by George Stone;

Autumn Nocturne, Composed by Josef Myrow and Kim Gannon; Arranged by George Stone; UNC Jazz Press

Bass-ically Two of a Kind, Composed by George Stone; Walrus Music

Blues in the Night, Composed by Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer; Arranged by George Stone; Hal Leonard Publishing

Body and Soul, Composed by Edward Heyman, Robert Sour, Frank Eyton John Green; Arranged by George Stone; Hal Leonard Publishing

Brown Knows Rose, Composed by George Stone - Georgestonemusic.com

Call Me Irresponsible, Composed by James Van Heusen; Arranged by George Stone; Sony/ATV Harmony

Caught in the Current, Composed by George Stone; Hal Leonard Publishing/Maynard Ferguson

Close Enough for Love, Composed by Johnny Mandel, Paul Williams; Arranged by George Stone; Universal Music Corp OBO Warner-Olive Music

Come Rain or Come Shine, Composed by Johnny Mercer, Harold Arlen; Arranged by George Stone; Hal Leonard Publishing

Count Me Out (I’m Out Me Too I Win), Composed by George Stone; Georgestonemusic.com

D-Bop, Composed by George Stone; Walrus Music

Doxy, Composed by Sonny Rollins, Arranged by George Stone; Prestige Music

Giant Steps, Composed by John Coltrane, Arranged by George Stone; UNC Jazz Press

Hey There, Composed by Jerry Ross, Richard Adler; Arranged by George Stone; UNC Jazz Press

I Can’t Get Started, Composed by Vernon Duke, Ira Gershwin; Arranged by George Stone; Hal Leonard Publishing

I Didn’t Know What Time it Was, Composed by Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers; Arranged by George Stone; Chappell & Co., Williamson Music Co - A Division of Rodgers and Hammerstein

I Let a Song Go Out of my Heart, Composed by Duke Ellington, I. Mills, H. Nemo, John Redmond; Arranged by George Stone; Hal Leonard Publishing

I Love You, Composed by Cole Porter, Arranged by George Stone; Chappell & CO.

I Watched Her Walk Away, Composed by Russ Freeman, Arranged by George Stone; Hal Leonard Publishing

I'm Beginning to See the Light, Composed by Duke Ellington, Don George, Johnny Hodges, Harry James; Arranged by George Stone; Chappell & Co., WB Music Corp. OBO Ricki Music Co., Sony/ATV Harmony

It Could Happen to You, Composed by Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burke, Arranged by George Stone; Hal Leonard Publishing

It Might as Well be Spring, Composed by Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein 2nd; Arranged by George Stone; Hal Leonard Publishing

It’s All Right With Me, Composed by Cole Porter, Arranged by George Stone; Hal Leonard Publishing

Josie, Composed by Donald Fagan and Walter Becker, Arranged by George Stone; Hal Leonard Publishing

Just One of Those Things, Composed by Cole Porter, Arranged by George Stone; Hal Leonard Publishing

Just You Just Me, Composed by Jesse Greer, Raymond Klages; Arranged by George Stone; UNC Jazz Press

La Samba Primera, Composed by George Stone; Walrus Music

Long Ago and Far Away, Composed by J. Kern, I. Gershwin, Arranged by George Stone; Universal - Polygram International Pub Inc., WB Music Corp. OBO IRA Gershwin Music

Lost Mind - Composed by Percy Mayfield, Arranged by George Stone; Hal Leonard Publishing

Minor Point of View, Composed by George Stone; Georgestonemusic.com

Monday Morning Blues, Composed by George Stone; Walrus Music

Moonlight in Vermont, Composed by Karl Seussdorf, John Blackburn, Arranged by George Stone; UNC Jazz Press

Mulligan’s Nest, Composed by George Stone; Georgestonemusic.com

Nardis, Composed by Miles Davis, Arranged by George Stone; Hal Leonard Pulblishing

On Broadway, Composed by Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller; Arranged by George Stone; Hal Leonard Publishing

Peaceful Thunder, Composed by Louie Bellson, Dave Black, Arranged by George Stone; Alfred Pub Co. OBO Beam Me Up Music

Peel Me a Grape, Composed by Dave Frishberg, Arranged by George Stone; Hal Leonard Publishing

Pretty Little Thing Called Love, Composed by Freddie Mercury, Arranged by George Stone; Hal Leonard Publishing

Prime Rib, Composed by George Stone; Georgestonemusic.com

Save the Best For Last, Composed by W. Waldman, J. Lind, P. Galdston; Arranged by George Stone; Hal Leonard Publishing

Shuffle Scuffle, Composed by George Stone; Walrus Publishing

Silver Bells, Composed by Jay Livingston, Ray Evans; Arranged by George Stone; Hal Leonard Publishing

Sophisticated Lady, Composed by Duke Ellington, Irving Mills; Arranged by George Stone; Hal Leonard Publishing

Speak Low, Composed by Kurt Weill, Ogden Nash; Arranged by George Stone; Walrus Publishing

Spring is Here, Composed by Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart; Arranged by George Stone; EMI Robbins Catalog Inc.

Straight Ahead, Composed by George Stone; Walrus Music

The New Generation, Composed by George Stone; Georgestonemusic.com

The Very Thought of You, Composed by Ray Noble, Arranged by George Stone; Hal Leonard Publishing

Then and Now, Composed by George Stone; Georgestonemusic.com

They Can’t Take That Away, Composed by Steve Diamond, Anders Bagge, Peter Sjoestroem; Arranged by George Stone; UNC Jazz Press

When Sunny Gets Blue, Composed by Marvin Fisher/Jack Segal, Arranged by George Stone; Sony/ATV Tunes LLC

Where or When, Composed by Richard Rogers; Arranged by George Stone; UNC Jazz Press

Why Not, Composed by Michel Camilo, Arranged by George Stone; UNC Jazz Press

You’d be so Nice to Come Home to, Composed by Cole Porter, Arranged by George Stone; Hal Leonard Publishing

Recordings
George Stone THE REAL DEAL georgestonemusic (2010)

D-Bop

Then And Now

Peaceful Thunder

Mulligan's Nest

The Very Thought Of You

I Love You

Doxy

When Sunny Gets Blue

Count Me Out

I'm Beginning To See The Light

Straight Ahead

George Stone Big Band PIECE BY PIECE Sea Breeze Jazz (2000)

Spring In Here

La Samba Primera

Hey There

I Didn't Know What Time It Was

They Can't Take That Away From Me

Heavy Cussin'

Autumn Nocturne

Long Ago and Far Away

Autumn Leaves

Other recordings as performer or writer

American Jazz Philharmonic - Featuring Phil Woods and Ray Brown

Jacob Armen - Drum Fever

Gene Burkert - Jazz Palette

Luis Bonilla - Escucha!

Cedar Avenue Big Band - Land of 10,000 Licks

Central Coast Jazz Quartet - At Home

Miki Coltrane - I Think of You

Dirk Fischer and George Stone - Coming of Age Seabreeze Records (2011)

George Stone and Friends - Perform the Music of Stewart "Dirk" Fischer Seabreeze Records (2004)

Tony Lujan - Tribute

Tony Lujan - You Don't Know What Love Is

Ladd McIntosh - Bulbous Garlic Blues

Nightlife - Smooth Jazz

Royal Garden Swing Orchestra - Best Foot Forward

Sugar Daddy Swing Kings - How Big Can You Get

Music Publishers / Distributors

 * George Stone Music
 * Sea Breeze Jazz
 * UNC Jazz Press
 * Walrus Music Publishers