Pantheon of Great Trombonists

Here in the Pantheon of Great Trombonists, you'll find videos (and some audio recordings too) of incredible musicians. Honorees here represent all different styles, so a great symphony orchestra trombonist may be next to a wonderful jazz trombonist. This exhibit is an introduction to these amazing players, and hopefully you'll want to see, hear, and learn more about them after you listen.  New honorees are added regularly, so use your Trombone Place Unlimited Pass to visit as often as you'd like!!! (That's a joke- you don't need a pass...)

Jack Teagarden

1905-1964

Great New Orleans Jazz Player and Singer

Melba liston

1926-1999

Awesome Jazz Musician, Teacher, and Arranger

Joseph Alessi

Principal Trombonist- New York Philharmonic, Trombone Professor at the Juilliard School of Music

Awesome trombonist, teacher, mentor to not only students but to other professional trombonists.

Megumi Kanda

Principal Trombonist- Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra 

Incredibly beautiful sound and wonderful technique

(Ms. Kanda is playing Morceau Symphonique. The name on the video is misspelled.) 

trombone shorty

His real name is Troy Andrews.

From New Orleans. Music is funky, jazzy, and makes you want to dance!  

Carol Jarvis

Amazing musician, plays in symphony orchestras as well as with popular musicians like Taylor Swift. Currently President-Elect of the International Trombone Association.

Ko-ichiro Yamamoto

Principal trombone- Seattle Symphony

teaches at the University of Washington

soloist and author- and a complete joy to listen to! 

john fedchock

Jazz trombonist-Big Band leader-composer-arranger-educator

amazing technique and sound

also member of the group Bonegasm

JJ JOHNSON

1924-2001

First trombonist to break the barrier of playing bebop at the same level as sax and trumpet players. Also a great arranger and composer.

One of the greatest and most influencial trombonists ever. 

ava ordman

Trombone Professor- Michigan State University

world renown soloist

International Trombone Association Educator of the Year

and...awesome trombonist!!!

WESTON SPROTT

Trombonist for the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra

Dean of the Preparatory Division of The Juilliard School of Music

Trombone Faculty at Bard College

Absolutely amazing sound!

papo vAzquez

Leader of the Mighty Pirate Troubadours

Music combines salsa, Afro-Carribbean, and jazz styles

Great composer and amazing improviser!!!

Natalie mannix

Associate Professor- University of North Texas

former member of United States Navy Band

has played and soloed with many symphony orchestras

wonderful performer and teacher

Michael Davis

Band Leader, Composer, Arranger, Author, and Educator

Has created and recorded with incredible brass and trombone ensembles

Owns and runs Hip-Bone Music

Achilles liarmakopoulos

Trombonist for The Canadian Brass

soloist and performer worldwide

adjunct professor at Brooklyn College

performs music from all different cultures

gorgeous tone and sound

Abbie conant

Trombone professor at the University of Music- Trossingen, Germany

was a member of several major orchestras including the Munich Philharmonic

has commisioned and performed many new works worldwide

pioneer and fighter for women's equality in the performing arts

JOrgen van rijen

Co-Principal Trombone for the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (RCO)

founding member of the New Trombone Collective

Professor of Trombone at the Amsterdam Conservatory

soloist and recording artist extraordinaire

nikki abissi

Trombonist with the Montclair Orchestra and the American Symphony Orchestra.

Teaches at Montclair State University and the Prep Division the Mannes School of Music

Inventor of the Extendabone

awesome musician and teacher

Burt Mason

Principal Trombonist for the Chamber Orchestra of New York, performs regularly with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic, and performs and solos worldwide

composer and arranger

teaches at the Juilliard School

founder and director of Ovation Concerts

terrific musician

Ben van dijk

Bass Trombonist for the Rotterdam Philharmonic

Trombone Professor at the Conservatory of Amsterdam

has taught masterclasses and has performed with orchestras across the globe

Past President of the International Trombone Association

fantastic musician and teacher!

Brittany Lasch

Principal Trombonist for the Michigan Opera Theatre Orchestra at the Detroit Opera House

Assistant Professor of Trombone at Indiana University

Soloist and masterclass instructor

Author of several books of trombone etudes/literature/opera arias

exquisite tone and technique 

COLIN WILLIAMS

Associate Principal Trombonist- New York Philharmonic

Trombone Faculty at the Manhattan School of Music

co-founder of the Southeast Trombone Symposium 

Performed and soloed with orchestras across the United States

fantastic sound and technique

Vanessa Fralick

Associate Principal Trombonist Toronto Symphony Orchestra

Soloist all over the world- including presentations and performances at the International Trombone Festival and the International Women's Brass Conference. Winner of multiple concerto competitions

Faculty member at the University of Toronto, the National Music Camp of Canada, and is the Brass Coach of the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra

Stunning sound!

james markey

Bass Trombonist- Boston Symphony Orchestra

Has performed with and soloed in front of many major orchestras around the world.

Trombone teacher and is also the Chair of Brass and Percussion at the New England Conservatory of Music

Many excellent instructional YouTube videos

Incredible musician!!!

Jen Wharton

Bass Trombonist, leader of BONEGASM.

Has performed in jazz ensembles worldwide and has played in many Broadway show orchestras.

Teaches bass trombone at Montclair State University.

Tremendous performer and educator!

Michael Dease

Leads his own jazz group

has recorded many albums under his name and with many other artists

Excellent composer

Jazz Trombone Professor at Michigan State University

Incredibly exciting to listen to!

Kenneth Thompkins

Principal Trombonist- Detroit Symphony

Incredible musician and technique, all used to tell amazing stories in everything he plays.

tommy dorsey

1905-1956

Big Band Leader, great player

Amazing breath control

Jeremy Wilson

Trombone Professor at Vanderbilt University

Played with the Vienna Philharmonic, also a member of several outstanding chamber groups including the Aries Trombone Quartet

Created and teaches workshops on the BODY MIND SPIRIT method of music making.

A really wonderful trombonist!!!

ian bousfield

Former Principal trombonist for the Vienna Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Halle Orchestra, and soloist as well as conductor with orchestras around the world.

Professor of Trombone at the Hochschule der Kunste in Bern and the Royal Academy of Music in London.

Author and guest lecturer, and the host of The Ian Bousfield Experience podcast.

Just a brilliant musician!

Aubrey Logan

Jazz Trombonist and Vocalist

Performs in many different styles and, in addition to being a solo artist, has played with groups such as Post Modern Jukebox and with other artists such as Dave Koz, Quincy Jones, and Smokey Robinson.

Notice the pure joy she has when she performs!!!

MARTIN MCCAIN

Professor at Texas State University

Soloist and performer with symphony orchestras, touring Broadway pit orchestras, and jazz ensembles from all over the world.

Member of the McCain Duo with his wife Dr. Artima McCain

Just listen to his gorgeous sound!!!

slide hampton

1932-2021

One of the finest jazz trombonists, composers and arrangers ever. His jazz albums are among the best ever recorded. Listen to his WORLD OF TROMBONES album- it's amazing! 

A true legend who will be sorely missed...

Jose Leonardo Leon

Trombone professor at Florida Atlantic University- also teaches at Broward College in Florida. Has also performed and presented at the International Trombone Festival

Classical and jazz performer who has appeared with many jazz, pop, and classical bands/orchestras throughout the Americas and Europe

Equally at home on tenor and bass trombone

Truly incredible musician!!!

Luis Fred

Assistant Professor of Trombone- University of Central Florida

Was principal trombonist for the Puerto Rico Symphony and has performed with sections from major orchestras throughout the Americas.

Member of the quartet Trombones de Costa Rica, and has performed worldwide as a solo artist.

Unbelievable musican and teacher!

Deb scott

Trombone Professor- Stephen F. Austin State University

faculty member for various trombone festivals including TROMBONANZA in Argentina

has performed and soloed with many orchestras across the Americas and is a member of Monarch Brass

great trombonist, composer, clinician, and teacher!!!

Sasha Romero

Principal Trombone- Metropolitan Opera Orchestra

Trombone instructor at Rutgers University, Mannes School of Music, and Bard College Conservatory of Music

International Tchaikovsky Competiton Semi-finalist (Brass division), and has performed with symphony orchestras throughout North America and Europe

Complete control and stunning sound!

slide hampton


(Locksley Wellington Hampton)

1932-2011

one of the greatest jazz trombonists, arrangers, composers, band leaders, and educators ever

worked with many jazz greats

formed the World of Trombones, a jazz band made up of the finest jazz trombonists

peter steiner

International Soloist

was trombonist for the Vienna State Opera, Vienna Philharmonic, and Colorado Symphony

recording artist and teacher with masterclasses throughout Europe, Asia, and the Americas

amazing technique and sound!


Erkin Yusupov

Principal Trombone- Bolshoi Theater

Professor- Maimonid State Classical Academy and the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Musical Conservatory

soloist with orchestras throuhout Europe, Asia, aned the Americas

outstanding sound!!!

curtis fuller

1934-2021

One of the first and most influencial hard-bop trombonists. Great composer and leader. Famous for his solos on the John Coltrane album BLUE TRAIN and his participation with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. A true great!!!

Nils Landgren

Performs every style of music- mostly jazz and pop, but has a background in classical performance. 

Beautiful sound and technique!!!

Sara jacovino

NYC-based trombonist, composer, arranger, educator.

Has performed with jazz and pop bands across the globe, and has been in the orchestra for many Broadway shows.

Her compositions and arrangements are wonderful, and her playing is amazing!!!

Hillary Simms

Member of the American Brass Quintet and has performed and soloed with orchestras and jazz ensembles throughout North America. Also a recipient of many performance awards.

Trombone Faculty- Juilliard School of Music and has been on the faculty and a guest artist for trombone and brass conferences.

A wonderful musician!!!


amanda stewart

Associate Principal Trombone- St. Louis Symphony. Previously member of San Antonio Symphony, Lyric Opera of San Antonio, and New York Philharmonic, as well as other orchestras, bands, and brass ensembles throughout North America.

Teaches at Washington University, and is a frequent master class teacher and guest artist.

Her sound is simply stunning!!!