Bio

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 Sparky Koerner has spent his life bringing great music to Texas. A trumpet player with deep roots in jazz, classical, and commercial music, Sparky leads Sparky’s Jazz Express and The Galvanized Brass, and you can often find him at Marais Restaurant in Dickinson, filling the room with swing, ballads, and Bossa Novas during their Sunday Jazz Brunch.

Over the years, Sparky has performed with legends — Doc Severinsen, Bones Malone, Kevin Eubanks, Diane Schuur, Marvin Stamm, Chris Vadala, Bobby Watson, Johnny Mathis, and Joel Gray, among others. For more than 40 years, he served as principal trumpet with the Galveston Symphony Orchestra, and he continues to share music across Texas with Jazz Sunday, a group dedicated to uplifting church services through jazz.

His musical journey was shaped by master teachers George Foss, Leonard Candelaria, John Haynie, and Don “Jake” Jacoby. Sparky earned degrees from LSU and UNT, where he received the 1:00 O’Clock Lab Band Award and multiple Who’s Who honors. His dedication to jazz education earned him the IAJE Outstanding Service Award in 2003.

Sparky recently retired after 40 years at College of the Mainland, where he directed the Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo, Concert Band, taught theory and brass, and served as Chair of Fine Arts. His ensembles won top festival honors, performed at national conferences, and collaborated with world‑class guest artists. He continues to direct the COM Community Jazz Ensemble, keeping the tradition alive for new generations.

A longtime leader in the jazz education community, Sparky has served as President of TJEA, President of IAJE Texas, Audition Coordinator for TMEA All‑State Jazz, organizer of multiple statewide jazz ensembles and festivals, and Executive Director of the Galveston Island Jazz Festival. His impact on Texas jazz is felt in classrooms, concert halls, and communities across the state.