Ernie Carbajal (1936-2008)

One of the founding members of Black Swan, Ernie joined the band on trumpet in 1989 and continued performing up to his death in June 2008. He also played cornet, flugelhorn, vibraphone, hand percussion and was a fine whistler.

Ernie had a prestigious career in a wide variety of musical endeavors. He was a staff musician at the Phoenix Star Theater in Arizona for two years and a member of the house band at the Riverside Ballroom for three years. Ernie also paid his dues on the road with the Pedro Bugarin Orchestra, a salsa band that traveled throughout the western half of the United States.

Just before joining Black Swan, Ernie did a special performance series and recording project with Anthony Braxton on the Black Saint record label. In recent years, Ernie was on contract with the Oregon Festival of American Music. This association has provided him the opportunity to work with pianist, Dick Hyman, and alongside such prominent musicians as trumpeters, Byron Stripling and Randy Sandke; trombonist, Bill Watrous and clarinetist, Ken Peplowski.  Ernie has also performed with Big Tiny Little and the vocal group, The Temptations.

Ernie's other credits include performances with the Ringling Brothers Circus Band, the Ice Follies, the Ice Capades, the Lane Community Faculty Brass Quintet, the Emerald City Jazz Kings, and the Dana Lutes Ensemble.

Ernie's discography included:

And you can listen to Ernie on the following Black Swan recordings:

Other Links