Hello
Hello
About Me
I grew up and learned to play music in the rich cultural diversity of Los Angeles. My studies at California State University, Northridge and later at Indiana University in addition to my early professional musical experiences, brought me into contact with some of the world’s best teachers and performers in every sort of musical environment.
After obtaining a Double Masters Degree in Trombone and Jazz Studies at Indiana University, I had the immense good fortune to perform and tour for 3 years as sideman trombonist with the great Big Bad Voodoo Daddy swing revival band.
Next, I spent 4 years as a musician-soldier in the US Army Band stationed in Heidelberg, Germany and then the NATO Jazz Orchestra in Belgium.
Since leaving the NATO Jazz Orchestra and the US Army Band in 2007, I have relocated to the south of France to continue my career as a performing artist and music professor.
I am currently Professor of Trombone and Director of student ensembles at the music conservatory of Aubagne near Marseille.
Additionally, I lead my own jazz/soul group - the Angel City Players as solo trombone and vocalist and am a regular performer with Ad Libitum Brass 5, Indiana Jazz Band, Big Sud Jazz Orchestra - Folmer/Dal Sasso Big Band, and Bastafari Reggae Band.
Over the years, I have frequently been invited to be a guest artist or guest teacher for different organizations and associations in France, Mexico, Italy, Belgium, Ireland and Japan. I often travel internationally to give concerts and master classes for public and private events.
My first solo album “Current Residence” was released in 2014 and most recent album “Second Residence” in 2019. They are both available on most music platforms.
Other artists and projects I have recorded with include:
Recordings:
- Truth Hurts with Dr. Dre – Truthfully Speaking (2000)
- George Stone and Friends – Tribute to Dirk Fischer (2002)
- Big Bad Voodoo Daddy with Drew Barrymore – True Blue Member (2002)
- Orchestre de Jazz de l’OTAN – A Taste of NATO (2006)
- Romain Thivolle Big Band – Kind of Pop (2012)
- Michael Steinman – Angel City Players – Current Residence (2014)
- Romain Thivolle Big Band – Django Revisited (2015)
- Michael Steinman – Angel City Players – Second Residence (2019)
- Cecile Messyasz – Du Pourpre au Blanc (2022)
- Big Sud – Nicolas Folmer (2023)
- Big Sud with Andrea Caparros (2024)
Teaching
I have always felt that teaching and sharing knowledge and experience is the sacred obligation of an artist. My life has been so positively impacted by the guidance I have received from so many people over the years and I strongly feel that it’s necessary for me to continue in this tradition and if possible have a positive influence on the lives of younger musicians.
My current and previous teaching activities include:
- Professor of Trombone, Tuba and Musiques Actuelles at Conservatoire d’Aubagne (since 2015)
- Académie des Petites Mains Symphoniques - Director Jazz Orchestra and Brass Department Coordinator (since 2023)
- Ecole de Musique de Frejus - Professor of Trombone, Tuba and Director of Jazz Ensemble (2009-2024)
- Ecole de Musique de La Londe les Maures - Professor of Trombone and Jazz Improvisation (2009-2023)
- Conservatoire de Cogolin - Professor of Trombone, Tuba, Orchestre à l’Ecole, Directeur de l’Harmonie Débutants (2013-2017)
Workshops and Masterclasses:
I have enjoyed the opportunity to travel internationally and give masterclasses and workshops in many wonderful places with truly lovely people…
2024 - Escuela d’Iniciacion Santa Cecilia - Vicente Guerrero, Mexico
2024 - Facultad de Bellas Artes - University of Oaxaca, Mexico
2023 - Erios Jazz Orchestra - Vigliano Biellese, Italy
2018 - Komaki High School of Technology Marching Band - Komaki, Japan
2017 - Trombone Class of Jun Kubayashi - Toyoake, Japan
2016 - Jazz Orchestra Association - Kochi, Japan
2014 - Mille et Un Notes Music School - Alba, Italy
2009 - Middleton Music School - Middleton, Ireland