Fred Powell Joins the Blessing Team!

Effective March 1, 2010 Mr. J. Fred Powell officially joined the E.K. Blessing team as the Director of Artistic Development.  Mr. Powell has over 20 years of experience in brass instrument performance, customization, design, manufacturing and promotion.  He began a repair apprenticeship during the mid 1980's as a sideline to performing and has since gone on to hold music industry positions in product management, instrument design, marketing, and sales management.  Most recently, Mr. Powell was the owner of TrumpeTech, Inc. with locations in Downers Grove, Illinois and Elkhart, Indiana, where he produced his proprietary line, J.F. Powell Signature Trumpets.

E.K. Blessing has rededicated itself to the tradition, heritage, and artistry of creating high quality brass instruments in Elkhart, Indiana.  As Director of Artistic Development, Mr. Powell will now be based in our new Elkhart, Indiana facility overseeing the design, production and quality of all Blessing brass instruments.  He will also serve as the primary brass artist liaison and work with our artists who visit the shop.

"Our goal is for Blessing to be the leading maker of brass instruments.  One of the reasons we are committed to producing all our instruments in Elkhart, Indiana is the access this gives us to talent.  Fred Powell is a key part of our instrument design brain trust and his strong relationship with artists will help us get the word out as we introduce 'killer' products." Steven Wasser, President, E.K. Blessing Co.

Mr. Powell earned undergraduate and master's degrees in trumpet performance from Bob Jones University and The Florida State University, respectively.  Having performed in the past with the Florida Symphony, Brevard Orchestra, Jacksonville Symphony and others, he remains an active freelance musician in the Chicago area, also performing occasionally with the South Bend Symphony, Northshore Concert Band, Quintessence Brass and others.  Still a full-time member of the Artisans in Brass, he has also toured with the Boston Brass, Fiddler on the Roof, The Music Man, Sweeney Todd, and has been a featured soloist with both the Orlando Concert Band and the Elkhart Municipal Band on their sister-city tour of England.  A co-founder of the National Trumpet Competition, Fred now serves as Associate Director of the organization and also on the Executive Board.  And, having been a clinician at numerous trumpet festivals, university programs and music education events, as well as a frequent soloist with various middle schools, high school, collegiate and municipal bands, he will now be available to serve in these same roles on behalf of the new E.K. Blessing.

"The opportunity of a formal association with the 'new' E.K. Blessing seemed like the perfect match.  Combining my passion for true custom designs with the history, capability and capacity of a manufacturer who has been producing instruments continuously for over 100 years in the same location promises to yield excellent new instruments.  A mutual commitment to musicians, community and education was evident from the outset.  With all that in place, Blessing is poised to return to prominence in the American musical instrument industry and  I look forward to any role that I might play in that success." Fred Powell, Director of Artistic Development

E.K. Blessing is proud that such a talented and skilled professional has chosen to join our team.