Free jazz trumpeter Rob Blakeslee was born and raised in Portland, OR, beginning his professional career on the West Coast circuit in 1970. Upon relocating to Dallas, TX in 1983, he recorded with the Daagnim label, additionally teaching trumpet and jazz improvisation in the Dallas Independent School District; four years later Blakeslee returned to Portland, and in 1988 was appointed Director of Jazz Ensembles at Oregon State University. He also co-founded the local Creative Music Guild and played in no fewer than six different jazz ensembles spread between Oregon, Washington and Canada; Blakeslee's headlining dates for the Nine Winds label include Lifelines and Long Narrows, and for the Louie imprint, he recorded Waterloo Ice House and Last Minute Gifts. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi