Bruce Jenney by Ray Matuza 20th Century Guitar "Music is my life. I am a very lucky person doing something that I love", smiles Bruce Jenney, savoring the tid bits of his own specially marinated steak while looking out the window of this Victorian style kitchen. The fact that Brooklyn born Jenney is quite adept at mixing and blending in the culinary quarters may come as no surprise after one hears his diverse approach to music. Displaying an uncanny ability at mixing musical genres and styles, Jenney combines his talents as musician, vocalist, writer, producer and arranger to yield a ubiquitous blend of "smooth jazz" running the gamut from Latin flavored aperitifs to Rhythm and Blues desserts. A look at the family tree shows Jenney's roots dig deep into the music tradition. Father,George Jenney, played trumpet with Artie Shaw and The Tommy Dorsey Band. Undoubtedly, the influence behind Bruce's decision to pick up the same instrument. Uncles Bob and Jack Jenney both were employed as trombonists, the latter having an illustrious solo career as well as being featured on Artie Shaw's gem, "Stardust". At 17, Bruce enjoyed his entry into the professional musician's world as part of a promotional package with Lucille Ball and Bob Hope. Not bad company to keep! However, soon afterwards, Uncle Sam requested his presence in another kind of company. The U.S. Army stationed him in Anchorage, Alaska. While the nights were cold, Jenney helped heat up as lead trumpet in the 214th Army band. Jenney also played back up for touring acts such as Nancy Wilson and Etta James when they came through the area. Psychedella and the summer of love provided the fertile backdrop for a return to civilian life, finding the newly liberated G.I. soaking up the inspirations. Although arranging and brass instruments are Jenney's true loves, the guitar started to become a constant companion, often finding its way into jam sessions with his fellow Greenwich cronies like Jimi Hendrix, Curtis Knight and Felix Pappalardi, to name a few. Through the late 60's Jenney recorded for numerous record labels and finally scored a hit for Epic Records in 1968 with his band Soulosophy, doing a funky and soulful remake of Elton John's, "Take Me to the Pilot". This served as a springboard in establishing Jenney as a noted arranger and musician landing stints with Allen and Rossi, Slappy White and Gloria Gaynor. As the mirrored disco balls of the 70's faded into oblivion, Bruce's career surges forward for the next two decades, finding it's way through many interesting and challenging musical situations. Now, at the start of a new millennium, Jenney's experience and inspirations have culminated into new recordings. "The timing is right for me and music has to be made", he exclaims as the rainbow like streams of light ricochet off his little silver disc he cradles in his hand. And if, as the saying goes, timing is everything, then everything is truly right for Bruce Jenney.