Born in Hollywood, Louise Baranger studied trumpet with Harold "Pappy" Mitchell, the former first trumpet at the MGM Studios, as well as Bobby Shew and the legendary William Vacchiano.
In 1982 Harry James asked her to join his band, and she remained until Harry’s death in 1983. She spent the next few years playing lead trumpet in the Las Vegas production of Sugar as well as freelancing in Los Angeles and working with such big bands as Nelson Riddle and Ray Anthony.
Her many television credits include appearances on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, A PBS tribute to Harry James, Dallas, Falcon Crest, The Flash, KMEX Children’s Telethon, Fox Studios TV Logo, The Bobby Vinton Show, and the World Music Awards. Film credits include Blake Edwards’ Mickey and Maude, Mark Rydell’s For The Boys, and Dennis Dugan’s Brain Donors.
Recording and video credits include Bobby Womack, Joe Cocker, Holly Near, the Stan Kenton Alumni Tribute Orchestra, the Ladd McIntosh Big Band and dozens of jingles.
In live performance, Louise has toured the world and backed the talents of Dionne Warwick, Steve Allen, George Burns, Clark Terry, Joan Rivers, Milton Berle, Candice Bergen, and a host of others. On Broadway she has played Carousel, Les Miserables and Ragtime as well as performed at Carnegie Hall with John Pizzarelli, Skitch Henderson and the New York Pops.
As a soloist with orchestra, Louise performs her own symphony pops program which includes a variety of music. Her nine piece "little big band" has played at the Emmy Awards, the Millennium New Year’s Eve Celebration at Boston’s Symphony Hall, and jazz concerts featuring trombone great Carl Fontana, in addition to many private events and fund raisers. Her CD, Trumpeter’s Prayer (Summit Records DCD222), features Arturo Sandoval, Frank Sinatra Jr., Carl Fontana and Steve Allen. It’s available from Summit Records and many record stores.
Louise’s show Trumpet Blues, the Life and Music of Harry James, featuring Harry’s long-time vocalist Jeannie Dennis, is currently being performed to critical acclaim with college and professional bands.
For booking information, please call (203) 687-9004 (+1 203 687 9004 from outside the United States and Canada) or write to info@trumpetblues.com.