Forman’s life and musical journey provide an American saga that is still in full swing. His Texas origins, his early career in San Francisco and New York, and his years on the road, all contribute to the unique and highly personal vision that he demonstrates today.

A bona fide bopper guitarist at heart, he has long been acknowledged as a harmonically advanced player with an alluring, dark tone and penchant for melodic improvisation.

Forman took piano lessons at an early age before picking up the guitar at age thirteen. In 1971, his family moved to San Francisco, where he led his own groups in the area and performed with local jazz musicians, such as Eddie Duran, Vince Lateano, and Eddie Marshall, and with nationally known musicians, such as Ray Brown, George Cables, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Bobby Hutcherson, and Woody Shaw. He also performed regularly at the Monterey Jazz Festival. He played with Richie Cole from 1978 to 1982. His most successful album as a leader was 1992’s Forman on the Job, which hit #14 on the U.S. Billboard Top Jazz Albums chart. Forman has appeared on several film scores composed by Clint Eastwood, including Million Dollar Baby.

“I’m gratified that all of us, John Clayton, Jeff Hamilton, myself, who are involved in this Homage Concert to Barney Kessel, Ray Brown and Shelly Manne have played together in myriad situations (including with the original owners). This is like kids getting together and playing their parents instruments! It is also a story of tying the past and present together with a willful and loving eye to the future.”

https://www.bruceforman.com