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Trombone Corner

In Trombone Corner

Third Coast Trombone Retreat Podcast Interview – Trombone Corner #27

Third Coast Trombone Retreat Podcast Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #27 of the Trombone Corner podcast. This episode features trombonists John Sebastian Vera and Nick Schwartz from the Third Coast Trombone Retreat Podcast. This is a special 2-part episode, so head on over to the Third Coast Trombone Retreat Podcast feed to catch the 2nd half of the interview

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In Trombone Corner

Dr. Brett Baker Trombone Interview – Trombone Corner #24

Dr. Brett Baker Trombone Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #24 of the Trombone Corner podcast. This episode features trombonist, Dr. Brett Baker. Listen to or download the episode below:

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About Brett Baker

Brett Baker is viewed internationally as a leading brass performer and educator. He is passionate about encouraging composers to write pioneering new repertoire, having commissioned over 100 trombone solos and is one of the most recorded brass soloists. Brett was Programme Leader for Musical Arts (previously band musicianship) at the University of Salford for seven years. He continues to be an Artist for Michael Rath Brass Instruments and is long serving Principal Trombone of the Black Dyke Band. Recently he became Marketing Lead & Global Artist Liaison for Denis Wick Products and Vice Chair of the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators.

As well as a performance schedule of 40 concerts a year, Brett enjoys presenting workshops, specialising in solo performance and band training. Brett has performed on over 30 solo albums, 8 under his own label of White River Evocations, which produces and distributes CDs. He has performed as guest soloist on a further 40 CDs. He regularly tours in the USA, Europe, Australia and New Zealand as a soloist, teacher, conductor and adjudicator. As a consultant, Brett, has worked with Michael Rath Musical Instruments for over 18 years on instrument design and has assisted in production of a signature mouthpiece. He was taught by Robert Morgan, Lyndon Baglin, Steve Walkley, Christopher Houlding, Kevin Price and Denis Wick.

As a conductor, Brett has many associations with bands in the North of England, and has achieved contest successes with Northop, Ratby and Longridge bands. He has been guest conductor of the University of Salford Brass Band, the brass band at the Royal Northern College of Music, thew National Youth band of Scotland, the European Youth Brass Band, Thoresby Colliery, Carlton Main Frickley Colliery and the Leyland Band.

In 2014 Brett conducted Tongwynlais Temperance at the National Finals of Great Britain in the Royal Albert Hall, London. Brett was conductor of the University of Salford Symphonic Wind Band from 2014-2019. He is currently Musical Director and tutor of both the Yorkshire Youth Brass Band and the North-East Midlands Youth Brass Band and has conducted the massed ensemble at Trombonanza in Argentina. For over 20 years, Brett Baker has been keen to promote new music for the trombone, commissioning over one hundred works from composers and arrangers. 

As an adjudicator, Brett, has judged regularly, the International Trombone Association in the USA, the National Solo Championships in Switzerland, many Association contests, the Scottish Open, Butlins Mineworkers Festival, the National Finals in the Netherlands, Lithuania, New Zealand and Australia. He has judged all the regional area qualifiers for the National Championships of Great Britain and many solo contests worldwide.

He has been trombone tutor of the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland, the National Youth Band of Wales, National Youth and Children’s Brass Band of Great Britain, the European Youth Brass Band, the International Brass Band Summer School in Swansea as well as low brass tutor of the International Summer School in Dartington, Devon.

In 2020 Brett won the ITA Presidents Award for Solo Performance and services to the International Trombone Association where he has been featured regularly as a soloist including in Salt Lake City, Utah in 2023.

Brett Baker Links

Podcast Credits

In Trombone Corner

Andy Martin Trombone Interview – Trombone Corner #23

Andy Martin Trombone Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #23 of the Trombone Corner podcast. This episode features trombonist, Andy Martin

Listen to or download the episode below:

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About Andy Martin

Coming from a musical family, trombonist Andy Martin launched his career while still in his teens. His technique and virtuosity quickly established him on the Los Angeles music scene. As an instructor, Martin has influenced countless young players. He has appeared at many colleges and universities throughout the country as a guest artist and clinician.

A world-class jazz musician, Martin is featured as leader or co-leader on twelve albums. These albums showcase his collaboration with other top jazz artists such as the late Carl Fontana, Pete Christlieb, Bobby Shew, and Eric Marienthal. He has also collaborated as a sideman with jazz greats such as Stanley Turrentine and Horace Silver. Martin had a long association with British bandleader and jazz promoter Vic Lewis, and was the featured soloist on many of Vic’s CDs.

Martin is well known for his work as a lead player and featured soloist with virtually every big band in L.A. Martin is the lead trombonist and featured soloist with Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, the lead trombonist and soloist for The Tom Kubis Band, and was a featured soloist for the Bill Holman Big Band for 15 years. He has appeared in bands led by Jack Sheldon, Louis Bellson, Quincy Jones, Matt Cattingub, Bob Curnow, Patrick Williams, and Sammy Nestico, among others.

Martin has long been one of L.A.’s most prominent trombonists for commercial recordings, television and motion picture soundtracks and live theater. He has contributed on albums for many popular artists, including the Pussycat Dolls, Coldplay, and Michael Bublé. His television credits include the Grammys, the Emmys, the Academy Awards, the Golden Globes and the Screen Actors Guild Awards. Martin has been the lead trombonist on television shows Dancing With The Stars and American Idol, and has appeared regularly on the soundtracks of major television series such as Family Guy, American Dad, and King of the Hill. His motion picture credits span the soundtracks of over 150 major films.

Andy Martin Links

Podcast Credits

In Trombone Corner

Douglas Yeo Trombone Interview – Trombone Corner #22

Douglas Yeo Trombone Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #22 of the Trombone Corner podcast. This episode features trombonist, Douglas Yeo

Listen to or download the episode below:

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About Douglas Yeo

Recognized worldwide as a leading low brass performer, teacher, scholar, and author, Douglas Yeo is Clinical Associate Professor of Trombone at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for the 2022–2024 academic years. From 1985-2012, he was bass trombonist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and before coming to Boston, he was a member of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, a free-lance musician in New York City, and a high school band director. He served as Professor of Trombone at Arizona State University from 2012–2016 and has also been on the faculties of New England Conservatory of Music and the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University. Since 2019, he has been trombone professor at Wheaton College (Illinois). He received his Bachelor of Music degree from Wheaton College (1976)—where he studied trombone with Edward Kleinhammer (bass trombonist of the Chicago Symphony,
1940–1985)—and his master’s degree from New York University (1979).
In 2014, Douglas Yeo was the recipient of the International Trombone Association’s highest honor, the ITA Award, given to him “in recognition of his distinguished career and in acknowledgement of his impact on the world of trombone performance.” He has written dozens of book chapters and articles for many publications including the International Trombone Association Journal, the Historic Brass Society Journal, the International Tuba Euphonium Association Journal, and the Galpin Society Journal, and is the author of The One Hundred: Essential Works for the Symphonic Bass Trombonist (Encore Music Publishers), Serpents, Bass Horns and Ophicleides at the Bate Collection (University of Oxford Press), and co-author (with Edward Kleinhammer) of Mastering the Trombone (Ensemble Publications). His most recently published books are Homer Rodeheaver and the Rise of the Gospel Music Industry (2021, co-authored with Kevin Mungons, University of Illinois Press), and An Illustrated Dictionary for the Modern Trombone, Tuba, and Euphonium Player (2021, Rowman & Littlefield). His instructional DVD and seven solo recordings have received critical acclaim as have his 12 music arrangements that are published by G. Schirmer, International Music, Southern Music, and De Haske Music.
As a teacher, Douglas Yeo has given master classes and recitals on five continents and
has held residencies around the world including the International Trombone Festival
(seven times), the Banff Center (Canada), the Hamamatsu International Wind Instrument
Academy and Festival (nine times) and the Nagoya Trombone Festival (Japan), the
International Trombone and Tuba Festival (Beijing), and the Dutch Bass Trombone Open
(Holland). His website, yeodoug.com (1996), was the first site on the Internet devoted to
the trombone, and his blog, thelasttrombone.com—Occasional thoughts on Life, Faith,
and the Trombone—was launched in 2016. He is a Yamaha performing artist.

Video links (three links):
Elizabeth Raum, Turning Point https://youtu.be/yzHZW0zF_K4

Girolomo Frescobaldi, recomposed by Eddie Koopman, Canzone
https://youtu.be/Sk2BiD2FUYM

John Stevens, The Chief; Steven Verhelst, A Song for Japan
https://youtu.be/pPVxhmcMJ8g

Douglas Yeo Links

Podcast Credits

In Trombone Corner

Bill Reichenbach Trombone Interview – Trombone Corner #21

Bill Reichenbach Trombone Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #21 of the Trombone Corner podcast. This episode features trombonist, Bill Reichenbach.

Listen to or download the episode below:

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About Bill Reichenbach

Bill Reichenbach grew up in the Washington, D.C. suburb of Takoma Park, Maryland where he studied trombone with Gene Brusiloff and Robert Isele. After high school, Bill was accepted to the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. There, he studied with the great Emory Remington. While still a student, Bill began his recording career by playing lead trombone on several Chuck Mangione albums, a couple of albums with the Eastman Wind Ensemble (one on bass trombone and another one on euphonium), and the first recording of Leonard Bernstein’s “Mass” (on bass trombone) which was composed for the opening of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. 

After graduation, Bill toured for while with the Buddy Rich Big Band on bass trombone. During this time, the band recorded an album called “Stick It” which featured Bill on an arrangement of Jobim’s “Wave”. 

In 1975, Bill moved to L.A. where he started playing the jazz tenor trombone chair on Toshiko Akiyoshi’s big band. He made quite a few albums with the band over the next several years and was a featured soloist on all of them. At the same time, Bill was also the solo jazz trombone player on Don Menza’s big band and he recorded solos on an album with the band. Don put together a sextet out of the big band and featured Bill on tenor and bass trombone on a recording with that band. 

As a studio player, Bill has played on about 2000 records, 1000 motion pictures, and countless TV shows and jingles. 

Bill’s jazz quartet album “Special Edition” (Nothing But Bills Records) featuring Peter Erskine on drums, Jimmy Johnson on bass, and Biff Hannon on piano, reached number 10 on the national jazz radio play lists. 

New York trombonist Mike Davis and Bill have done 4 albums together – “Bonetown”, “Brass Nation”, “New Brass” and most recently, “Absolute Trombone II” and have played concerts all over the United States, Canada, and Europe. 

Bill has been a featured artist and clinician at several International Trombone Festivals including Utrecht (Holland), Nashville, Urbana (Illinois), North Texas State University, and most recently Las Vegas (2007), and Salt Lake City (2023). 

Some of the artists Bill has recorded with: 

Michael Buble, Harry Connick, Jr., The Jonas Brothers, Christine Aguilera, Seal, Mya, Quincy Jones, Barbra Streisand, Michael Jackson, Elton John, Toto, The Yellowjackets, Seawind, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, David Foster, Aretha Franklin, Al Jarreau, Earth Wind and Fire, Dr. John, Arrowsmith, and Ray Charles.

Some of the motion pictures which Bill has played on are: 

“Indiana Jones 5” 

“Wolverine”  

“Night in the Museum 2” 

“Indiana Jones and the Curse of the Crystal Skull” 

“Up” 

“Sex in the City” 

“Hancock” 

“Ratatouille” 

“Spiderman 3” 

“Hairspray”

“Dreamgirls” 

“Transformers” 

“American Gangster” “Wall-E” 

“I Am Legend” 

“Dreamcatcher” 

“X-men II” 

“Identity” 

“The Core” 

“Daredevil” 

“Red Dragon 

“Chicago” 

“Men in Black II” 

“XXX” 

“Training Day” 

“Spiderman” 

“Collateral Damage” “Black Hawk Down” “Planet of the Apes” “Monsters, Inc” 

“Don’t Say a Word” “Zoolander” 

“Princess Diaries” 

“American Pie 2” 

“Legally Blond” 

“Scary Movie 2” 

“The Mummy Returns” “Evolution” 

“What Women Want” “Proof of Life” 

“X-men”  

“Space Cowboys” 

“Remember the Titans”  “Meet the Parents” 

“Family Man”  

“Charlie’s Angels” 

“The Matrix” 

“The General’s Daughter” “The Green Mile” 

“South Park” 

“Sixth Sense’ 

“Deep Blue Sea” 

“Toy Story 2” 

“Magnolia” 

“Stuart Little” 

“Galaxy Quest’

“Reindeer Games” 

“U-571” 

“Godzilla” 

“Contact” 

“Conspiracy Theory” 

“The Jackal” 

“Alien Resurrection” 

“Men in Black” 

“Air Force One” 

“Batman and Robin” 

“Forrest Gump” 

“Independence Day” 

“Mars Attacks” 

“Hercules” 

“Mission Impossible” 

“Batman Returns” 

“Twister” 

“The Rock” 

“Starship Troupers” 

“The Frighteners” 

“Jurassic Park” 

“Nixon” 

Bill is an Artist-clinician for the Greenhoe/Shilke Co. He has given master classes and clinics throughout the United States, Europe, New Zealand and Australia. 

As a writer and arranger, Bill has worked on records for Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Aretha Franklin, Dr. John, Diana Ross and others. He has arranged many HBO Special Themes and composed the theme for the HBO “One Night Stand” comedy show. Bill also composed the theme for Fox’s animated series “Peter Pan & the Pirates” as well as much of the underscoring. He contributed to such films and shows as “Licorice Pizza”, “I Love Trouble”, “Frank’s Place”, “Baby Boom”, “Brand New Life”, “Snoops”, “Teen Wolf”, and the special “Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue”. Bill composed the main title for a series of Kurt Vonnegut stories called “Welcome to the Monkey House” for Showtime. He composed a score for a documentary film about Frank Lloyd Wright called “A Very Proud House”. 

Bill has also composed pieces for Wind Ensemble including “Streets of Paris” which was recently premiered by trombone soloist Larry Zalkind and The Riverside City College Wind Ensemble conducted by Kevin Mayse, “Atlantic Crossing”, “Streets of Paris”, “The Improbable Journey”, “Fanfares, Questions and Answers”, and “An American Dream”. Bill and family now live near Asheville, NC. 

Bill plays the Greenhoe Bass Trombone.

Bill Reichenbach Links

Podcast Credits

In Trombone Corner

Michael Davis Trombone Interview – Trombone Corner #20

Michael Davis – Trombone Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #20of the Trombone Corner podcast. This episode features acclaimed trombonist, arranger, composer and all around artist, Michael Davis. Listen to or download the episode below:

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About Michael Davis

Trombonist/composer Michael Davis has enjoyed a diverse and acclaimed career over the past 40 years. Widely known as the trombonist for five world tours with the Rolling Stones, he toured and recorded extensively with Frank Sinatra, has released 14 CDs as a solo artist, composed over 150 works, authored a dozen books for brass players of all levels and appeared on over 500 CDs, television themes and motion picture soundtracks. He is the founder, creator and president of Hip-Bone Music, Inc. In 2011, the S.E. Shires Company released the Michael Davis signature model trombone and followed that in 2014 with the release of the Michael Davis+ trombone.

Born to a musical family in San Francisco, CA on August 13th, 1961, Michael’s early musical studies included the piano, drums, tuba, baritone horn and electric bass. Settling on the trombone in high school, he quickly found his stride and received principal chairs in many all-state honor groups. His collegiate career commenced at the Eastman School of Music in the fall of 1979.

In the spring of 1983, Davis received the break he had hoped for when the Buddy Rich Band called and asked him to sign on. His two-year stint with the band forged musical and personal friendships that continue to this day and presented him with “the best graduate degree anyone could possibly hope for.” Michael’s freelance career in New York City began in earnest in 1986 and before long he was one of the top trombonists around. As testimony to his versatility and wide regard, the list of jazz and pop luminaries he has worked with includes: James Taylor, Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan, Aerosmith, Tony Bennett, Jay Z, Sarah Vaughan, Sting, Beck, Branford Marsalis, Peter Gabriel, Sheryl Crow, Lyle Lovett, Bob Mintzer, Paul Simon, David Sanborn, Terence Blanchard and scores of others.

In the field of music education, Davis has served as a guest artist and clinician around the world, while also authoring a number of highly esteemed instructional books and arrangements for musicians of all ages and abilities.

 A multiple recipient of awards from the National Endowment for the Arts, he maintains his own jazz groups and projects through Hip-Bone Music. He has documented his efforts on 14 CDs as a leader, including his latest, Open City with the Hip-Bone Big Band featuring a star studded line-up of New York jazz and studio luminaries. Open City showcases a unique family alliance with Michael’s oldest son Cole penning three of the compositions, co-producing the entire project, and playing bass while his younger son Zaq brings his talents to the trumpet section.

Currently, Davis continues his busy schedule as an in demand New York freelance musician with a steady diet of Broadway shows, studio recording work and live concerts. He travels extensively as a solo artist guesting with professional, college and high school bands around the world, while also continuing to build his publishing company into one of the preeminent purveyors of the highest quality music for brass.

Michael Davis Links

Podcast Credits

In Trombone Corner

Kenneth Thompkins Trombone Interview – Trombone Corner #19

Kenneth Thompkins- Trombone Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #19 of the Trombone Corner podcast. This episode features Principal trombonist of the Detroit Symphony, Kenneth Thompkins.

Listen to or download the episode below:

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About Kenneth Thompkins

Kenneth Thompkins was appointed Principal Trombone of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra by Neeme Jarvi. Prior to this appointment he held positions in the Buffalo Philharmonic and The Florida Orchestra and New World Symphony Orchestra.  He has also performed with the New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, and Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Thompkins enjoys working with young musicians and has performed masterclasses and recitals at many universities including the Curtis Institute of Music, University of Michigan, and the Eastman School of Music. In 2017 Thompkins recorded Sonatas, Songs and Spirituals featuring the music of Alec Wilder, William Grant Still and Philip Wharton. Sonatas, Songs and Spirituals was the winner of The American Prize in Instrumental Performance for 2018-2019. He has performed as a soloist with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Chineke! Orchestra and New World Symphony.  He also premiered “Troubled Water” trombone concerto by Carlos Simon with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in 2023.

Kenneth Thompkins Links

Podcast Credits