BIO
Here’s my quick education path: Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (Dallas, TX), Weatherford College, A.A. in Music (Weatherford, TX), University of Texas at Arlington, B.M. Trombone Performance, University of Texas at Austin, M.M. Trombone Performance.
I was extremely fortunate to be a part of wonderful music programs at each of the above schools. I performed in jazz bands, concert bands, orchestras, chamber ensembles and, of course, Trombone Choirs. My “weird flex” is I was a part of Remington winning Trombone Choirs at both UT Arlington and UT Austin. Honestly, Trombone Choir is what I miss most about college!
I have been a full-time low brass professor at Prairie View A&M University since 2003. In addition to teaching Trombone, euphonium, and tuba, I teach music technology, brass methods, music appreciation, and have also directed brass ensemble, wind ensemble and orchestra. I have worn a lot of different hats over the years and there has rarely been a dull moment!
In 1993, I married my awesome wife, and we have 3 sons, all brass players. Our oldest decided to focus on singing and went to college for both music theatre and opera. He brought home his French Horn, and it is now next to my Alto Trombone in the closet. My middle son is now a commercial music/ voice major at Belmont University. He still has his trumpet.
GEAR
Small Bore: 1947-ish King 2B. Yellow brass bell, nickel slide with a brass crook. Such a joy to play!
Large Bore: 2001 Edwards T350. Bell-324CF, Slide-TN Std., dual radius tuning slide, Axial Flow Valve. Everything is yellow brass except the nickel parts. Whichever is the biggest lead pipe. Edge Bracing. My daily Trombone.
Bass Trombone: Schmidt, Frankfurt Germany. Independent F/Gb. It’s all silver and was a pawn shop purchase. Plays great for this tenor player!
Alto: Weril Alto with a gold bell and tuning in the slide. It resides comfortably in the closet.
Mouthpieces: Giddings Mouthpieces! Boreas for large bore (and it’s the OG style from 2005), Harry Waters for small more (quite possibly the greatest mouthpiece ever made), Chubasco for small bore (also OG style from 2005), and the Adriano for the bass.
Honorable Mentions: I still have my beginner Holton from 5th grade and my youngest son started on it and used it for marching band this year along with an old Conn. He favored the Conn for Marching band. I have been “borrowing” an old Bach 42 with original linkage and closed wrapped valve from a junior college friend since the late 1990s. My son uses this horn until he inherits my Edwards. I haven’t decided what my next Trombone will be. Any thoughts?