He is a trombonist who was brought up in Sedalia, Missouri who studied at the University of Missouri and financed himself by playing with his Dixielannd band, the Missouri Mudcats. He went on to attend the New England Conservatory.
Seiji Ozawa of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra hand picked him to become their first trombonist. He was the originator behind the founding of a brass quintet that would perform classical and jazz music in a unique style. After he had met the tuba player Chuck Daellenbach, and told him of his ideas, the Canadian Brass quintet was born.
He has a strong interest in meditation and during the busy touring schedule of the ensemble he shared this with the members so their stress-levels were low. He retired from the ensemble in 2010 and became an Emeritus member.
He received an honorary doctorate from his alma mater at the New England Conservatory.
Adolphe Charles Adam Recordings
O Holy Night
RCA 0 7863 54132 2 (CD – Christmas with the Canadian Brass)
Organist – John Grady, St. Patrick’s Cathedral Organ
Source: