Doug Munro

Douglas Anthony Munro was born July 9, 1953 in Yonkers, New York. He started his musical studies at age 7 taking drum lessons. By age 14 Munro was a gigging drummer, playing dances in the Yonkers and New York City area. At age 20, Munro broke his back in a gymnastics accident, which effectively ended his career as a drummer. in 1977 at age 24, Munro underwent a successful back surgery, after which he began playing guitar as a way to pass the time during recovery.

After his recovery from spinal surgery Doug Munro re-emerged as a guitarist, playing local gigs and teaching guitar lessons to support himself and his family. 1986 saw the release of Munro's first recording, a vinyl release entitled “Courageous Cats” by the Doug Munro Band. "Courageous Cats" featured Marshall Toppo on bass and John Jones III on drums. In the late 1980s Doug met producer Joe Ferry, the two would have an ongoing professional relationship for over 25 years.

In 1990 Joe Ferry introduced Munro to David Drozen, owner of Optimism records. Optimism released Munro's “When Dolphins Fly," which featured Bob Berg (tenor saxophone); Charles Blenzig (piano, keyboards); Al Orlo (steel string acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Will Lee (bass); Marshall Toppo (bass); Joe Bonadio (drums, percussion); Ken Ross (percussion).

Based on the success of “When Dophins Fly,” Munro was contracted to record a second CD for Optimism Records entitled “Autumn In Blue,” which featured Charles Blenzig (piano, keyboards); Marshall Toppo (bass); Joe Bonadio (percussion); Adam Nussbaum (drums); Tony Cimorosi (bass); Jeff Andrews (bass); Rob Aries (keyboards); Lew Soloff (trumpet); Alex Foster (saxophone). "Autumn in Blue" proved to be Munro's final project with Optimism Records. The company went out of business before releasing the recording, which began a legal battle over the "Autumn in Blue" master recordings. Finally in 1993 “Autumn In Blue” was released on Bill Stilfield’s Chase Music Group (CMG).

In 1995 Munro returned to his trio roots with the highly successful “Blue Lady” CD for Chase Music Group. The CD featured Will Lee (bass); Will Calhoun (drums). The success of "Blue Lady" earned Munro a permanent position as an artist at Chase Music Group. From 1995-2007 Munro released numerous critically acclaimed jazz recordings for CMG, including "Shootin' Pool at Leo's" (1997), "Blueness" (2000), and Big Bossa Nova (2004).

With a family at home, Munro never pursued performing full-time. Instead, he opted to split his career between arranging, performing, teaching, and producing with longtime friend and collaborator Joe Ferry.

In 1999 Doug Munro taught in a study abroad program sponsored by Purchase College. The program was centered in Burgos, Spain. Working together with local artists Doug was paired to perform with a local Flamenco guitarist, Mariano Mangas. The two hit it off and continued to do yearly tours in Europe which ultimately lead to the recording of Jazz/Flamenco Guitars on the Purchase College label. After the World Trade Center bombings in 2001 Mariano and Doug stayed in touch but never toured again.

In 2000 Doug recorded the first of two CD’s for CMG with his organ group II-V-I. The first CD was called “Blueness” and Featured Jerry Z (organ); Mike Thompson (drums); Alana Alexander (vocal) and Ken Gioffre (saxophone). The second release was 2002's “Up Against It” featured Jerry Z (organ) and Jason Anderson (drums).

In 2004 Doug started a series of 4 Boogaloo recordings for Scufflin’ Records. The first, “Boogaloo To Beck” featured Dr. Lonnie Smith (organ); David “Fathead” Newman (saxophone) and LaFrae Sci (drums).

In 2004 and 2007, respectively, Doug Munro released two Brazilian style CD’s with his group Big Bossa Nova. The first, “Big Boss Bossa Nova”, featured Ray Vega (trumpet); Javon Jackson (saxophone); Richie Morales (drums) and Michael Goetz (bass). The second, “Big Boss Bossa Nova 2.0”, featured Michael Goetz (bass), Jason “J Dog” Devlin (drums) and Jason Anderson (drums). These would be the last two recordings Doug would do for the Chase Music Group label.

In 2010, following the collapse of the traditional music industry due to the free accessibility of recorded music, Doug Munro formed his own private music label, GotMusic Records. To date Doug has released 4 recordings. In 2010 he released “Alone But Not Alone vol. 1”. This was a solo guitar project utilizing loop technology.

In 2011 Munro released the highly successful “A Very Gypsy Christmas” with his Gypsy Swing group La Pompe Attack, featuring Cyrille Aimee (vocal); Ken Peplowski (clarinet); Howie Bujese (violin); Ernesto Pugliese (guitar) and Michael Goetz (bass).

In 2014 Doug released an enhanced DVD project called “Loop-Mania!”. It featured 6 original compositions performed and filmed live using loop technology. It also featured a section where Doug breaks down what he is playing and how he is using the technology on each song. There are also downloadable mp3’s of the music as well as downloadable pdf files of the charts for each song.

The fourth release on the GotMusic label was “Doug Munro and La Pompe Attack: The Harry Warren Songbook”. This is a 16 track tribute to Doug’s great uncle Harry Warren. There are 14 Harry Warren compositions and 2 original compositions by Doug. The CD features guitarists Howard Alden, Vic Juris, Vinny Raniolo, Ted Gottsegen and Ernesto Pugliese; violinists Andrei Matorin and Howie Bujese, and bassists Matt Dwonszyk and Michael Goetz.

In 1991 Doug Munro began arranging and producing alongside Joe Ferry. Ferry and Munro's first project was a tribute to famed jazz bass player Jaco Pastorius entitled “We Remember Pastorius” (EMI). Other notable players on that project include Dr. John (piano); Joey Calderazzo (piano); Charles Blenzig (piano); Scott Healy (piano); Rob Aries (piano); Tommy Cosgrove (guitar); Glenn Alexander (guitar); Andy Bloch (guitar); Hiram Bullock (guitar); Alex Foster (saxophone); Randy Brecker (trumpet); Chris Botti (trumpet; George Mraz (bass); Eddie Gomez (bass); Will Lee (electric bass); Mark Egan (electric bass); Anthony Jackson (electric bass); Adam Nussbaum (drums); Joe Bonadio (drums); Kenwood Dennard (drums); Dave Weckl (drums).

In 1992 Munro co-produced and arranged a series of recordings for Shanachie Records called "the Soul Of R&B (Vol 1, 2, 3)". The series culminated with a live CD and film recorded at the Lonestar Roadhouse in New York City. Featured artists on this project include vocalists Chuck Jackson, Cissy Houston, Billy Vera, Johnny Kemp, and Lani Groves. The band featured Cornell Dupree (guitar); Will Lee (electric bass); Richard Tee (piano and Fender Rhodes); Dave Weckl (drums) and The Uptown Horns.

In 1993 Munro and Ferry did two more tribute CD’s for Shanachie Records, “People Get Ready: A Tribute to Curtis Mayfield” and “Back to the Streets: Celebrating the Music of Don Covay”.

From 1993-1995 Munro continued to work with Joe Ferry as co-producer and arranger for “Bluesiana Hot Sauce", and “Bluesiana Hurricane” which featured Allen Toussaint (piano); Toots Thielmans (harmonica); Michael Brecker (saxophone); Will Calhoun (drums); Ray Anderson (trombone); Paul Griffen (piano); Eddie Gomez (bass); Joe Bonadio (percussion) and Chuck St.Troy (saxophone and vocal). The Bluesiana recordings were the last recordings co-produced and arranged by the Munro/Ferry duo, and was Munro's last recording for Shanachie Records.

In 1994 Doug Munro joined the Ska band The Skatalites as co-producer and arranger for 1994’s “Hi-Bop Ska” and 1996’s “Greetings From Skamania”. The recordings where both produced by Joe Ferry and featured the original Skatalites Llyod Brevett (bass); Lloyd Knibb (drums); Tommy McCook (saxophone); with Devon James (guitar); Bill Smith (piano); Nathan Breedlove (trumpet); and special guests David Murray (saxophone); Prince Buster (vocal); Steve Torre (trombone) and Bobby Watson (saxophone). Both records earned Grammy nominations. Doug and Joe Ferry co-wrote the song “Skalloween” featured on "Greetings from Skamania".

In 1997 Munro added orchestrations to the original motion picture soundtrack for the Muhammad Ali documentary “When We Were Kings,” which went on to win an academy award for Best Documentary Film.

In 2002 Doug started what would turn out to be, an almost 10 year collaborative association with Vitamin Records. It also marked the start of a new long-time collaboration with a producer/engineer, Eric Helmuth. Together they worked on over 40 recording projects. Doug wrote string arrangements for over 300 songs on 34 different recordings for Vitamin Record’s String Quartet Tribute CD’s. The first CD was a Tribute to Pink Floyd, the last (34th) CD was a Tribute to Star Wars. The prominent featured players were Dave Keen (violin and viola); Deborah Assael-Migliori (cello) and Michael Goetz (bass). Doug also wrote some original compositions for the recordings, sometimes collaborating with Joe Ferry.

Since 2010 Doug has done arranging work for some Bossa Nova tracks for Vitamin Records. He has also produced lessons for Just Jazz Guitar, Premier Guitar and TrueFire.com.

Doug Munro founded the jazz studies program in the Conservatory of Music at Purchase College in 1993, and served as the director of the program from 1993-2002. He currently serves as a faculty member and Director Emeritus of the Jazz Studies program at the Conservatory of Music at Purchase College.

In addition to his career as a musician and educator, Munro has authored four books about Jazz guitar technique, published by Alfred Music and he is the producer and director of an interactive guitar instructional DVD entitled Loop-Mania!

Doug Munro has published articles for Premier Guitar. Munro also teaches an online Jazz guitar course entitled "the 8 Essential Latin Guitar Styles" for TrueFire.com.

1. Novus Records
2. Optimism Records
3. Chase Music Group
4. Shanachie Records
5. Vitamin Records
6. Scufflin' Records
7. Polygram Records
8. Big Music
9. GotMusic Records

As guitarist and band leader

1. Courageous Cats (Novus Records)1986
2. When Dolphins Fly (Optimism Records)1990
3. Autumn In Blue (CMG Records)1993
4. The Blue Lady (CMG Records)1995
5. Shootin’ Pool At Leo’s (CMG Records)1997
6. Blueness (CMG Records)2000
7. Guitars (Purchase College Recordings)2001
8. Up Against It (CMG Records)2002
9. Boogaloo To Beck (Scufflin' Records)2003
10. Boogaloo To The Beastie Boys (Scufflin' Records)2004
11. Big Boss Bossa Nova (CMG Records)2004
12. Big Boss Bossa Nova 2.0 (CMG Records)2007
13. Boogaloo To Kanye West (Scufflin' Records)2009
14. Boogaloo To Eminem (Scufflin' Records)2010
15. Alone But Not Alone (GotMusic Records)2010
16. A Very Gypsy Christmas (GotMusic Records)2011
17. Loop-Mania! (GotMusic Records)2014
18. Doug Munro and La Pompe Attack: The Harry Warren Songbook (GotMusic Records)2017

As arranger, producer, performer

1. We Remember Pastorius (EMI Records)1991
2. The Soul Of R&B Vol.1 Billy Vera and Nona Hendryx (Shanachie Records)1992
3. The Soul Of R&B Vol.2 Chuck Jackson and Cissy Houston (Shanachie Records)1992
4. The Soul Of R&B Vol.3 Darlene Love and Lani Groves (Shanachie Records)1992
5. The Soul Of R&B Revue: Live at the Lonestar Roadhouse (Shanachie Records)1992
6. People Get Ready: A Tribute to Curtis Mayfield (Shanachie Records)1993
7. Back to the Streets: Celebrating the Music of Don Covay (Shanachie Records)1993
8. Bluesiana Hot Sauce (Shanachie Records)1993
9. Hi-Bop Ska The Skatilites ( Shanachie Records)1994
10. Bluesiana Hurricane (Shanachie Records)1995
11. Greetings From Skamania : The Skatilites (Shanachie Records)1996
12. When We Were Kings : Soundtrack Recording (Polygram Records)1997
13. Skandalous Alstars: Hit Me (Shanachie Records)1997
14. Skallelujah- various artists (Big Music)2000
15. SQT Pink Floyd- Angry String Orchestra (Vitamin Records)2002-2010
16. SQT Neil Young- Angry String Orchestra (Vitamin Records)
17. SQT To Weezer- Angry String Orchestra (Vitamin Records)
18. SQT Marilyn Manson- Angry String Orchestra (Vitamin Records)
19. SQT The Dixie Chicks- Angry String Orchestra (Vitamin Records)
20. SQT Jimi Hendrix- Angry String Orchestra (Vitamin Records)
21. SQT John Mellencamp- Angry String Orchestra (Vitamin Records)
22. SQT Enya- Angry String Orchestra (Vitamin Records)
23. SQT Celine Dion- Angry String Orchestra (Vitamin Records)
24. SQT Metallica- Angry String Orchestra (Vitamin Records)
25. SQT REM- Angry String Orchestra (Vitamin Records)
26. SQT U2- Angry String Orchestra (Vitamin Records)
27. SQT Celine Dion- Angry String Orchestra (Vitamin Records)
28. SQT Guns and Roses- Angry String Orchestra (Vitamin Records)
29. SQT The Beach Boys- Angry String Orchestra (Vitamin Records)
30. SQT The Darkness- Angry String Orchestra (Vitamin Records)
31. SQT The Roots- Angry String Orchestra (Vitamin Records)
32. SQT Puddle Of Mudd- Angry String Orchestra (Vitamin Records)
33. SQT Dr. Dre- Angry String Orchestra (Vitamin Records)
34. SQT Duran Duran- Angry String Orchestra (Vitamin Records)
35. SQT To Fall Out Boy- Angry String Orchestra (Vitamin Records)
36. SQT Kirk Franklin- Angry String Orchestra (Vitamin Records)
37. SQT Papa Roach- Angry String Orchestra (Vitamin Records)
38. SQT Marilyn Manson- Angry String Orchestra (Vitamin Records)
39. SQT Queens Of The Stoneage- Angry String Orchestra (Vitamin Records)
40. SQT Trapt- Angry String Orchestra (Vitamin Records)
41. SQT Shinedown- Angry String Orchestra (Vitamin Records)
42. SQT Dashboard Confessional- Angry String Orchestra (Vitamin Records)
43. SQT To H.I.M.- Angry String Orchestra (Vitamin Records)
44. SQT To Coldplay- Angry String Orchestra (Vitamin Records)
45. SQT 1275 Strung Out Vol. 4- Angry String Orchestra (Vitamin Records)
46. SQT To Finger Eleven- Angry String Orchestra (Vitamin Records)
47. SQT To Broadway- Angry String Orchestra (Vitamin Records)
48. SQT To Star Wars- Angry String Orchestra (Vitamin Records)