Colin Stranahan is a graduate of the Denver school of the arts. He has had a passion for music since he was very young. The son of a jazz/music educator, he has always been immersed in music. His interest developed when he was able to play a drum set at age eight. From that time forward, music has been his life focus and passion. He currently participates in many school based and professional groups. He has led many of his own groups, which perform in Denver and at many jazz festivals winning multiple awards. He has performed with Pat Bianchi, Ron Miles, Greg Gisbert, Ken Walker, Eric Gunnison, Jeff Jenkins, Mark Simon, Larry Coryell, Jeremy Pelt, Jaleel Shaw and Javon Jackson. Colin has recently released his first album, Dreams Untold, on Capri Records. In 2005 he was chosen to be a member of the Clifford Brown/Stan Getz Fellowship Jazz Combo who performed at IAJE in Long Beach and Miami, Florida as part of the National Foundation of the Advancement of the Arts honors. He was also a recipient of the prestigious Betty Carter Fellowship Residency program at the Kennedy Center, which recognizes outstanding young adult jazz composers. He is also a recipient of the Presidential Scholar in the Arts Award and will receive his award in June at the White House.



Colin says,

“I always try to stay open to what I’m doing musically and find different ways to express my ideas and thoughts. This music is about expression, being in the moment and I always try to capture that.”

Rntly, Colin has been studying at the Brubeck Institute where he has been touring around the world, and performing and working with such artist as, Geoff Keezer, Greg Tardy, Christian McBride, Lewis Nash, Matt Penman, Ravi Coltrane, Donald Brown, Brian Lynch, Vincent Herring, and many more.



Colin will also be releasing his new album, and second release for Capri Records, “Transformation”, in early Febuary. He plans to move to Brooklyn New York after this years touring with Institute to begin work with other musicians. He will continue his studies at the New School.