Saxophonist and bandleader, Bruce Menefield is an outstandingly creative musician. He has developed a unique style of playing a variety of musical genres: Jazz, Gospel, Blues, R&B and World music. Menefield has performed professionally for 35+ years where his sweet sound has been heard in top venues, churches and concert halls. He has performed with and among some of the best in jazz such as Billy Harper, Clark Terry, Sonnie Badu, Bennie Maupin, Ronnie Laws and John Blake. Bruce is best known for his big bluesy sound, but he has morphed into a highly spirited improvisor, able to create new music on the spot and in the height of the moment.
Menefield is proactive as a leader and a producer in the music field. His career is marked by his ability to mix talented musicians into exciting ensembles. The groups he has developed are known to keep a "hard groove" and to deliver a strong musical message, aptly called the Omni Beat. Bruce has produced many live concerts including the "It's Commonly Jazz" series. Bruce highlighted this series with the likes of McCoy Tyner and Hank Crawford. He has written, recorded and produced his own music. His latest CD is entitled "My Steps" and it is currentlyavailable on www.cdbaby.com.
A lover of the Lord Jesus, Bruce Menefield seeks to reflect the grace that has been given to him in his choice of musical stages to perform on and in. His Omni Praise sound is his most precious compilation of jazz music that sets the mood to assist the worshiper to connect to the presence of God. Targeted to non-traditional audiences, Bruce's music gives voice to the dreams, hopes and frustrations of the human experience. It is the musical incense that collects and carries the prayers of a people.
Influencing the jazz scene, he has chosen to create practical business opportunities as well. He is President and CEO of Omni Works Music, Inc., a non-profit organization that seeks to provide programs for disenfranchised youth to experience the benefits of creative expression through jazz appreciation. His organization develops supportive members through the "Jazz for New Generations" group on various social media sites. Omni Works Music, Inc. is a member of the Cincinnati Fine Arts Fund creative arts family.
A native of Cincinnati, Ohio where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Xavier University and studied music at the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. He has three children, two of whom are extremely talented in the music field., while one son resides in Europe and performs as an IT technical advisor to an international corporation.
