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I was classically trained in euphonium and trombone by such luminaries as the current Professor of Trombone and Euphonium at the University of Minnesota, Tom Ashworth (though I doubt he would admit to ever teaching me after listening to my current lack of technique). However, despite Tom's excellent teaching, I drifted off into the wilds of traditional jazz after discovering Turk Murphy and the Firehouse Five Plus Two.
I learned Dixieland/traditional jazz and Western swing with players from the vaudeville and big band eras such as tubist/bassist Elmer Tuschhoff, banjoist Ken Farnsworth and clarinetist/bandleader Bob Kennedy and his wife, steel guitarist extraordinaire Wanda. I furthered my musical knowledge with stride pianist Ken Kennedy's Dew Drop Inn Jazz Band on Thursday nights at the old Dew Drop Inn in Fresno.
Playing with groups such as the Bay Area's Generation Gap and Fresno's RhythmAires helped me to learn big band, and I sharpened my bop chops in Japan with the New Skylark Orchestra's trombonist Kajiwara Junichi and his Four Trombones group.
During my stay in Japan, I began teaching myself trumpet. I came back from Japan and re-worked my trad jazz, improving my trumpet chops and recently picking tuba back up again after over twenty years. I intend to try reproducing the traditional jazz standards (and anything else I find that interests me) in my own way.
Styles of Music:
Preferred styles include big band swing, traditional jazz (dixieland), ska, latin jazz and anything that looks fun and/or challenging.
Musical Experience:
-SF Bay Area, CA:
2009-present: Trombone, Blues Barons blues band
2008-present: Occasional substitute (trombone/tuba) with:
- And That's Jazz
- Blue Bone Express
- Emperor Norton's Jazz Band
- Mission Gold Jazz Band
- Nightlife Big Band
- Zinfandel Stompers
2008-present: Trombone/co-leader, Turk Island Jazz Band
2008-present: Trombone, Barrelhouse Jazz Band
2007-present: Trombone, SBTJS parade band
2007: Tuba, San Ramon Symphonic Band
2003-2006: Bass trombone, Nightlife big band
2000-2004: Bass trombone, Stuart Yasaki Orchestra
2003-2006: 3rd trombone, Sunnyvale Moose orchestra
2000-2005: Euphonium, trombone, Heavy Metal Brass Band (brass choir)
1984-1986: 3rd Trombone, Generation Gap Big Band
-Japan:
1994-1996: Bass Trombone, Four Trombones Jazz Ensemble
1993-1996: Lead trombone, vocals, Five City All-Stars Orchestra
1992-1996: Bass trombone, New Funnymates Jazz Orchestra
1992-1996: Bass trombone, Soku Menas Orchestra
-Fresno, CA:
1996-1999: Trombone, Dew Drop Jazz Ensemble
1990-1992: Trombone, Kennedy Family Band
1988-1992: Trombone, Dew Drop Inn Jazz Band
1988-1989: Bass Trombone, Brady Bridges & the Four Bones
1987-1989: Bass trombone, Statesmen Big Band
1987-1988: Bass trombone, RhythmAires Big Band
1982-1984: Bass trombone, Fresno Junior Philharmonic Orchestra
1982-1984: Euphonium, CSU Fresno Concert Band
-Principal Awards/Honors:
1984: Co-principal euphonium, California All-State CBDA/CMEA Band
1984: Lead trombone, Fresno-Madera County All-Star Jazz Band B
1984: Principal Euphonium, Fresno-Madera County All-star Band
1983: 2nd Euphonium, Fresno-Madera County All-star Band
1982: 2nd Euphonium, Fresno-Madera County All-star Band
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