Craig Pruess

Craig began performing and composing from an early age in the competitive environment of Westchester County, New York State, specialising in brass (classical, big band, and jazz), piano, harpsichord, woodwind, and percussion. At the age of twelve, he performed the Haydn Trumpet Concerto in Eb, and appeared on a prime time American national television show, "To Tell the Truth" with Art Linkletter, where he played drums with jazz artist Barry Miles.

Craig started his own successful professional jazz trio at the age of fourteen, The Radical Three - arranging, composing and leading the group playing piano. From the age of sixteen he appeared as featured soloist on trumpet with many orchestras and bands, also featuring in live radio broadcasts in New York City.

He attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston, Massachusetts. Besides his studies in physics, philosophy, media technology, and electronic music, he pursued early work in controlling laser beams with music (1969-71). During his years in Boston, he forged musical partnerships and friendships with undergraduates of Berklee School of Music such as top US session musician Jeff Lorber, and was greatly influenced during this time by the work of up-and-coming masters like Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, and Mahavishnu John McLaughlin.