Russell “Billy” Buss

Assistant Professor

Affiliated Departments

Brass

rbuss@berklee.edu

617-747-8931

Billy Buss’s website

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Billy Buss is an award-winning trumpet player, composer, producer, and educator. He has been recognized by DownBeat magazine, the National Foundation for the Advancement in the Arts, and the White House (as a Presidential Scholar in the Arts).

In 2014, he was awarded second place at the prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz International Trumpet Competition. Buss maintains a busy performing and teaching schedule throughout the United States and internationally. You can find him performing with his band, B-Squared Jazz Productions, or as a collaborator on a host of projects, ranging from hip-hop and pop to classical and jazz.

Buss serves on the faculty in the Brass, Harmony and Ensemble departments at Berklee College of Music, and leads ensembles and private lessons at the New England Conservatory’s Prep Program. From 2013 to 2018, he directed the general music, choral, and instrumental studies program at Mission Hill School K–8 in Boston. During that same period, Buss was a senior faculty member in the Brass and Piano departments at the Boston School of Music Arts.

Courses Taught (4)

The Music of Tower of Power

ENRB-402

Exploring Technology for Brass Players

ILBR-335

Private Instruction - Brass: All Levels

PIBR-XXX

Recital Preparation: Brass - All Levels

RPBR-XXX

Career Highlights

Composed and recorded original music for Scenes from a Dream
Artist in residence and performer, Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory, Nepal (International Jazz Day, 2015)
Toured with “Deltron 3030” and appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman
Participated in State Department tour of China with Herbie Hancock, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and the Thelonious Monk Institute (performances in the Forbidden City and at the 2010 World Expo)

Awards

Second place, 2014 Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz International Trumpet Competition
Television Appearance on UP, Junior!, a competitive music game show produced by American Idol vocal coach Nick Cooper on Hunan TV in China.

Education

B.M., Berklee College of Music
M.A., Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz

In Their Own Words

“My first priority with any of my students is sparking their creativity and getting them to ask questions of themselves and others about the artistic process. The act of wondering and discovering keeps us moving forward on the musical path!”

“I am always on the hunt for new and challenging developments for myself and for my students; diversifying myself as a performer and teacher of many styles and instruments allows me to teach to the specific needs of every individual and their particular learning style.”