Episode #20 - Michael Davis

The Trombone Corner Podcast is brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass and The Brass Ark.  Join hosts Noah and John as they interview John Sebastian Vera and Nick Schwartz, trombonists and podcast hosts of The Trombone Retreat.  After you listen to this episode, head on over to The Trombone Retreat feed for the second half of this episode.  You can come see us at Booth #271 at the TMEA Convention, February 8th thru 10th, 2024 in San Antonio Texas.

About John Sebastian Vera

John Sebastian Vera, a native of Texas, became the principal trombonist of the Pittsburgh Opera in 2010 and also joined the River City Brass as principal Trombone in 2015. He is also professor of trombone at Duquesne University and faculty member at the Cleveland Institute of Music where he teaches a course on Music Entrepreneurship and Digital Media as well as coach chamber music.

In addition to the Pittsburgh Opera, Mr. Vera has played with the symphonies of Dallas, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Buffalo, Kennedy Center Opera House, Malaysian Philharmonic, New York City Ballet, Vermont, Harrisburg, Charleston, American Ballet Theatre, and Orquesta Sinaloa de las Artes in Mexico amongst others. 

He began his studies with Jon Bohls in Texas and continued his education at Southern Methodist University where he studied with John Kitzman of the Dallas Symphony. He then spent a year studying with Ed Zadrozny as a graduate assistant at the University of Akron, and finished his graduate work in New York City at the Mannes College of Music studying with David Finlayson and James Markey of the New York Philharmonic.    

In 2011, he spent the summer in Haiti volunteer teaching and performing in the Orchestre Philharmonique Sainte Trinite as well as the Ecole de Musique Dessaix Baptiste which became one of the more profound experiences of his life.  

A dedicated chamber musician, he also was a founding member of the critically acclaimed Guidonian Hand Trombone Quartet in which he played from 2008-2014. With the quartet, John performed over 100 concerts and gave master classes all over the country. Heralded by the New York Times for their "expertly played performances" they have been recipients of numerous national grants which have enabled them to commission countless composers to create new and innovative works for four trombones.  In 2014 was the premiere of River of Fundament, a movie by film artist Matthew Barney, in which John recorded for and acted in along with the quartet. 

Mr. Vera can also be heard on the HBO documentary The Words that Built America as well as on euphonium in the PBS documentary Abraham and Mary Lincoln, A House Divided as well as many commercial and video game soundtracks as well as James Markey’s solo release, “On Base”.

John is an Artist for Edwards Instruments and resides in Pittsburgh.  His favorite musicians include Sigur Ros, Radiohead, the Books, and Efterklang. When he can get away from the trombone he most enjoys basketball, traveling and reading about psychology and social science.  Check out his podcast he hosts with Nick Schwartz called the Trombone Retreat available everywhere you download your podcasts. Follow him on Instagram @js.vera.

About Nicholas Schwartz

Nicholas Schwartz has a diverse career performing across North America, Europe, and Asia. After studying at The Juilliard School with then New York Philharmonic bass trombonist Don Harwood, he moved to San Francisco where he began freelancing throughout the Bay Area.

 Since 2010, he has been the principal bass trombonist of the New York City Ballet Orchestra. He has also performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony, the New York Philharmonic, The Metropolitan Opera, The Philadelphia Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Ballet, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, St. Lukes Chamber Orchestra, the New York City Opera,  Atlanta Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, The Malaysia Philharmonic, Mostly Mozart Festival, and Classical Tahoe.  Follow him on instagram @basstrombone444

About Third Coast Retreat

The Trombone Corner Podcast is brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass and The Brass Ark.  Join hosts Noah and John as they interview Adam Woolf, trombonist and sackbut specialist from the UK. Meet us at the SoCal Trombone Day on January 20th, 2024 at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut CA, or see us at Booth #271 at the TMEA Convention, February 8th thru 10th, 2024 in San Antonio Texas.

About Adam Woolf

For many years Adam Woolf enjoyed a full-time career as a performing musician working with the very best classical music ensembles, festivals and orchestras around the globe. He complemented this by teaching at world-leading institutions around Europe. as professor of Historical Performance and Baroque Trombone at London's Royal Academy of Music, The Conservatoire of Utrecht, Royal Conservatoire of Brussels and the Conservatory of Amsterdam. Adam is proud to have had a part in the development of many fantastic musicians in today's classical music scene.

As a performer, Adam played with top orchestras in the world of period-instrument performance, notably as first trombone with Sir John Eliot Gardiner's English Baroque Soloists, a member of His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts, and the Caecilia-Concert. Alongside this, he continued playing the modern instrument with London-based ensemble Mardi Brass and other groups. His love of jazz and contemporary music led to the creation of new compositions and experimental projects.

Adam has recorded over 100 CDs and DVDs, among which he am proud to count two solo projects, Songs Without Words and The Food of Love. Songs Without Words was the first full length CD to focus on the trombone as a solo instrument exclusively in music from the 16th and 17th centuries.

Alongside his output of recordings, some of which are available via this website, he also published various books which focus on historical performance practise on the trombone, also available here.

The Trombone Corner Podcast is brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass and The Brass Ark.  Join hosts Noah and John as they interview Megumi Kanda, Principal Trombone of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. 

About Megumi Kanda

Megumi Kanda, Principal Trombone of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra since 2002, is an internationally acclaimed performer, teacher, and author.   

Megumi has performed as a soloist across the United States, Europe, and Asia, including with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Pershing’s Own Army Band, the US Army Field Band, and the Prague Chamber Orchestra. She has been a featured guest artist at many trombone workshops and festivals, including the International Trombone Festival and the American Trombone Workshop.

Megumi has appeared as guest faculty at numerous music institutions, including the New World Symphony, National Youth Orchestra of the USA, and Interlochen Arts Academy, and has given master classes and recitals across the US, Europe, and Asia.

In April 2006, Megumi was recognized by the Arion Foundation in Tokyo, Japan as one of the most influential Japanese classical artists. She has also received a Certificate of Commendation from the Consul General of Japan at Chicago in recognition for distinguished service contributing to the friendship between the United States and Japan. Megumi was named a 2017 Woman of Influence in the category of education by the Milwaukee Business Journal. In 2020, she was named the recipient of the International Trombone Association Award, which recognizes the highest level of creative and artistic output.

Megumi’s first book, The One Hundred, a collection of orchestral trombone excerpts with accompanying commentary, was published in August 2015 and is a resource widely used by aspiring young trombonists around the world. Her second book, Trombone Unlimited, a comprehensive method book, was published in 2020.

As a JVC/Victor Entertainment artist, Megumi recorded three solo albums: Amazing Grace, Gloria, and Mona Lisa. She also can be heard on Magnifique Live, a live recording of Megumi and other JVC artists in the August 2005 performance at Takemitsu Hall in Tokyo’s Opera City.

Megumi is proud to be a Greenhoe performing artist.

Podcast Credits

• Theme Music: The Trombone Choir Arrangements of Jay Friedman, Vol. 1
• Audio Engineer – Preston Shepard 
• Cover Art – Frank Gladstone
• Podcast Hosts - Noah Gladstone & John Snell

This episode of the Trombone Corner is brought to you by The Brass Ark and by Bob Reeves Brass. Join hosts Noah Gladstone and John Snell as they talk with trombonist Dr. Brett Baker.

Brett Baker is viewed internationally as a leading performer and educator. He is passionate about encouraging composers to write pioneering new repertoire and is one of the most recorded brass soloists. 

Previously Brett was Programme Leader of the Musical Arts Degree at the University of Salford, and is now Marketing Lead for Denis Wick Products, and continues as an Ambassador for Michael Rath Brass Instruments, as well as long serving soloist and Principal Trombone of the Black Dyke Band. 

He is a Past Chair and Past President of the British Trombone Society and increasingly works as a conductor and adjudicator in festivals and competitions. 

Brett has commissioned many trombone solos with both wind and brass band accompaniment. In 2020 he won the ITA Presidents Award for services to the International Trombone Association were he has featured regularly as a soloist.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Angel Subero is a Venezuelan trombonist who attended the Conservatorio Itinerante in Caracas, Venezuela, where he studied with the legendary Michel Becquet. After coming to the United States in 2001, he attended  Boston Conservatory, where he studied with Lawrence Isaacson, and New England Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Douglas Yeo. He also studied with John Rojak at the Aspen Music Festival.

Subero has performed with numerous orchestras, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, Boston Ballet, Pittsburgh Symphony, American Composers Orchestra, the Venezuela Symphony, Simon Bolivar Symphony, and the Boston Modern Orchestra Project, to name a few. He has worked with such conductors as John Williams, Seiji Ozawa, Kurt Masur, Sir Colin Davis, Christoph von Dohnanyi, Keith Lockhart, and Robert Spano, among many others.

In the realms of jazz, Latin and commercial music, Subero has appeared with artists such as Bob Brookmeyer, Aretha Franklin, Slide Hampton, Jim McNeely, Claudio Roditi, Danilo Perez, Chris Botti, and many more.