BIO

Tigger Kluessendorf is a multifaceted musician whose work bridges the worlds of jazz, commercial, and contemporary concert music. A trumpet player, composer, arranger, and music director, Tigger brings vibrant energy and emotional depth to every project he takes on. After graduating from Canton High School as the Instrumental Music Department Scholar, Tigger earned his Bachelor of Music in Composition from the University of Connecticut.

While at UConn, Tigger served as Lead Trumpet in the UConn Jazz Ensemble and also performed with the university’s Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble. His trumpet instructors have included his father, Randal Kluessendorf, as well as Tony Glausi, Tony Kadleck, Dominic Talotta, Gino Villareal, and GRAMMY® Award-winning trumpeter Louis Hanzlik. He has studied composition with GRAMMY® Award-winning composers Kenneth Fuchs and Robert Livingston Aldridge.

Tigger has performed with and opened for artists and ensembles including the Funky Dawgz Brass Band, the Jeff Holmes Big Band, the New England Jazz Ensemble, and Chris Potter. His playing has taken him to renowned venues such as Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, The Appel Room, the Skirball Center at NYU, Mohegan Sun, the Ballroom of the Americas, and the Ertegun Atrium.

As a performer, Tigger has collaborated with artists such as Denver & the Mile High Orchestra, Ted Nash, Marshall Gilkes, Tony Kadleck, Bijan Mortazavi, Ingrid Jensen, Noah Preminger, Sherman Irby, Willie Applewhite, Marcus Printup, Tatum Greenblatt, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, P.S. Finn, and producer Bryan Fryzel (Frequency). He has also had the honor of performing for Connecticut Governors Ned Lamont and Dannel Malloy.

Throughout his career, Tigger has earned numerous awards from institutions including UMass Amherst, the University of Connecticut, the University of New Hampshire, and the Essentially Ellington Festival. In high school, he performed as a trumpet player in the Jazz at Lincoln Center Youth Orchestra, where he was featured in DownBeat Magazine.

Beyond performance, Tigger is an active composer, arranger, and music director. He regularly records and receives commissions for musical theatre and digital media projects. As the Music Director and Manager of his own five-piece jazz combo, he writes and arranges all of the group’s original music. His extensive pit orchestra credits include 9 to 5, Legally Blonde, Matilda, Grease, Fame, Mary Poppins, The Wedding Singer, The Little Mermaid, Annie, Damn Yankees, The Drowsy Chaperone, and many others — including College Road Trip: The Musical, which he orchestrated, co-produced, and music directed.

Tigger has released two singles on all major streaming platforms: his original composition “Bad Timing” and his arrangement of “I’m Gonna Live Till I Die,” both recorded by his big band with Tigger featured on lead trumpet. His sheet music is published and available for purchase through PDF Jazz Music.

TESTIMONIALS

“Bad Timing”

"It's a great chart, I like the theme... it's catchy" -Chris Walden (Seven-time GRAMMY nominated LA composer and arranger)

"Great writing - I have no criticisms at all - [he] know[s] exactly what [he's] doing" -Wally Minko (GRAMMY nominated LA composer and arranger)

Music Director Theater Reviews

THE LITTLE MERMAID (CITY YOUTH THEATER)

“The excellent orchestra is conducted by Kluessendorf, who graciously cues the singers. The conductor yielded his baton to Sebastian as he led the mersisters during “Daughters of Triton.” In the second act, there was a fun chase scene through the audience during “Les Poissons.” Sebastian grabbed the Kluessendorf from behind his music stand and dragged him along on the chase. (I am told that this was the conductor’s idea.) The rudderless musicians carried on beautifully with their playing until the music director returned to his post. It was clear that “we’ve got a live orchestra band.”

—Nancy Janis (Patch)