The American Art Ensemble represents a second and third generation of jazz musicians. This is a group in which the artists listen closely to each other, communicating not by sight or words, but through sound.  The advantage of knowing each other so well is that there is a special sensitivity to each other's musical voice. 

The leader of the group, Greg Gozzard (a.k.a. Dad), began playing trumpet professionally as a member of the 74th Army Band. He is a music educator with a Bachelor's degree in Music from Oakland University and graduate studies at the Hartt School of Music and Western Michigan University.  Greg is currently finishing a Master's degree in Jazz Performance at Wayne State University.

Although he began his performing career as a four-year-old singer, Matthew Gozzard is currently a jazz studies major at the University of Michigan. He has studied saxophone with Andrew Bishop, Donald Walden, Larry Nozero, and George Benson.  Matt has studied jazz improvisation with Ellen Rowe, Bob Hurst, and Robert Pipho.  Bass teachers include Diana Gannett, Dan Pliskow, and Bob Hurst.

Yes, he has perfect pitch…. Michael Gozzard is a talented young trumpeter and bassist.  As a music major at Western Michigan University, Michael studies trumpet with Stephen Jones and jazz with Scott Cowan. Michael is a member of the WMU Jazz Orchestra, the Freshtet, and is Principal Trumpet in the WMU Concert Band.

Donald Gozzard, a veteran jazz drummer at the age of 15, has always played well beyond his years.  He has a knack for quickly memorizing challenging marimba solos.  Donald studies percussion with Dan DeSena and jazz with Keith Hall.  Donald has performed with several other groups including the Schoolcraft College Big Band and the University of Michigan Youth Jazz Ensemble.