Bruce Purse, was born in Birmingham, Alabama. Purse is a trumpet player, bandleader, musician, composer, producer, vocalist, arranger, performer, music educator, and guest lecturer. He writes stories and plays. He plays various wind instruments; the trumpet, pocket trumpet, bass trumpet, and flugel horn. He has assembled large ensembles from a 11-piece bands to 30 piece orchestras. His premiere ensemble was called Bruce Purse and the Pocketbooks. The band performs originals in various genres such as; jazz, reggae, R&B, and heavy blues. Purse has performed with many well known artists, such as, Lester Bowie, Amy Winehouse, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, Faith Evans, Nas, Leona Lewis, and Johnny Kemp.