Fred Forney is currently the Director of Jazz Studies at Mesa Community College and enjoys a career as a freelance trumpeter in the Phoenix metropolitan area.  As a composer, Fred has written music for the Phoenix Boys Choir, production shows, documentary films, and has small and large jazz ensemble works published by Walrus Music.  As a first call trumpet artist, Fred has played with virtually all of the touring acts that come through Phoenix, such as Natalie Cole, Burt Bachrach, Ray Charles, Tony Bennett and many others.  He has been first trumpet at Gammage Auditorium for 20 years performing all of the New York Theatrical productions such as Sunset Blvd., West Side Story The Producers, Chorus Line, Guys and Dolls and many others.  Fred has also played on the Bobby Caldwell “Blue Condition Tour” of the U.S. and Japan and toured with jazz pianist Dan Haerle. 

As a jazz trumpet artist, Fred has been the leader on recording projects Into The Mist, Summit Records and Playground,MCC Jazz Faculty Nonet.  Fred’s latest project, Seeds…., with Chuck Marohnic, Dom Moio and Dwight Kilian performs all over the Valley and is proud of the new C.D. entitled, Justice For The Earth.  Fred is also in demand as a jazz educator, teaching at jazz camps, giving clinics and workshops as well as adjudicating jazz festivals throughout the U.S.