My first love, music.

Unlike many musicians, my music life started slowly. My mother studied music for a short time, and father played lead-trumpet in area bands. Through high-school, though, even though I could be called a big fish, I was pretty unimpressive.

I was fortunate to find some amazing guidance and knowledge from a host of important people at the three schools I have attented. I started at the University of Illinois, transferring to the University of North Florida - where I recieved a bachelors of music in jazz studies, then moving to graduate studies at the Eastman School of Music - where I was a teaching assistant and recieved a masters degree in jazz performace.

More important then the degrees is the list of people whom I credit with crafting me as a musician, a leader, and a man - Mark Sheridan-Rabideau, Tom Wirtel, Debra Richtmeyer, Ron Bridgewater, Bunky Green, Kevin Bales, Harold Danko, Jeff Campbell, and Bill Dobbins.

Professionally, I have lived in New York City since 2003, leading my trio, quartet, and quintet with some of the best musicans from around the city. Additionally, I have traveled around the country playing, composing, and educating, with my groups and as a sideman, in clubs, concert halls, and classrooms.

I've been fortunate enough to release three records under my own name: The Brian VanArsdale Orchestra - The Flood, The Brian VanArsdale Trio - Cryptography, and The Brian VanArsdale Quintet - From the Heart.