Craig Fraedrich received his undergraduate degree in jazz performance from North Texas State University and master’s degree from Arizona State University. He also studied at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the Banff Center for the Arts. He was awarded music scholarships at each of these institutions and won numerous solo awards at jazz festivals throughout the country. He was a winner of International Trumpet Guild Jazz Solo Competition and leader/director of the first student combo to perform at the International Jazz Educators Conference.

He spent over thirty-one years as a featured jazz trumpet soloist with The U.S. Army Blues, one of the nation’s premier full-time jazz ensembles. During that time he also served as the group’s musical director, trumpet section leader and group leader. He composed or arranged well over 100 pieces for the band and has traveled extensively both performing and serving as a clinician. In addition to visiting much of the United States, he has performed in Australia, Japan, Sweden, Norway, Germany, China, St. Thomas and at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland.

Fraedrich has pursued a significant solo career as well. He has released twelve CDs with his own groups and has appeared on dozens of others as a side-man. His 1994 release, So in Love (with Dave Liebman) reached number twelve in national jazz radio play according to Billboard Magazine. His most current release on Summit Records, All Through the Night, is now available.

Fraedrich has studied improvisation with Dave Liebman, Kenny Wheeler, Chuck Marohnic, Rich Matteson, Dan Hearle, Jack Peterson, and Frank Puzzullo. Additionally, he cites the remaining faculty at the Banff Centre for the Arts (1985 – Dave Holland, John Abercrombie, Don Thompson, Marvin “Smitty” Smith, and Julian Priester) as major influences. His principal trumpet teachers have included Dennis Najoom, Dr. Leonard Candelaria, Don Jacoby, Dr. Wayne Cook, Steve Kossoris, Chuck Tumlinson and Ken Van Winkle. Educational materials recordings are available for free download at craigfraedrichmusic.com.

He is a dedicated educator and has been a faculty member (associate professor) at Shenandoah Conservatory since 1989.