Seventh Annual Big 12 Trombone Conference Features International Stars

The Seventh Annual Big 12 Trombone Conference, an educational and entertainment opportunity open to all, features an internationally renowned jazz artist, as well as two prominent classical musicians from the nation's best military bands.

Marshall Gilkes, as well as two well-known classical musicians, tenor trombonist Sgt. David Rosengaft of the US Air Force Concert Band, Washington, D.C., and bass trombonist David Brady of the “President’s Own” US Marine Band, also based in Washington, D.C., will be at the conference.

Marshall Gilkes

Trombonist Marshall Gilkes is forging new ground and receiving high acclaim from critics in the United States, South America, Europe and Asia. Born in Camp Springs, Md., Gilkes spent his childhood growing up in many different parts of the country traveling with his father, a musician in the Air Force. He currently calls Brooklyn, N.Y. home.

A graduate of The Juilliard School as well as Interlochen Arts Academy, Gilkes’ teachers include Joe Alessi, Conrad Herwig, Buddy Baker, Ed Neumeister and Wycliffe Gordon.

Gilkes is currently a member of the internationally acclaimed Edmar Castañeda Trio as well as the Maria Schneider Orchestra, and the David Berger Jazz Orchestra. In addition, he has performed with Billy Cobham, Richard Bona, Duke Ellington and the Village Vanguard Orchestra.

In the Latin community, he has performed with Machito, Giovanni Hidalgo, Chico O’Farrell, Tito Nieves and Big 3 Palladium Orchestra. During 2001 and 2002 Gilkes played for the National and Japanese tours of the Broadway show “Swing”, and in 2003 was a finalist in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition.

His album credits include two solo releases: the Marshall Gilkes Quintet "Lost Words" and the Marshall Gilkes Quartet "Edenderry" in addition to appearances on Edmar Castañeda’s "Cuarto de Colores" among others. Gilkes has toured extensively throughout Europe, South America, Japan, and the Caribbean, and has performed at the Tanglewood Jazz Festival, Umbria Jazz Festival and the Vienna Jazz Festival. He also is an artist for Edwards Instruments.

David Rosengaft

Technical Sergeant David Rosengaft is a trombonist with the United States Air Force Concert Band, Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C. Originally from Richmond, Va., he began his Air Force career in 2009.

Rosengaft attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas. While at SMU, he performed with the Dallas Symphony and at The International Festival-Institute at Round Top. He also was featured at the 2008 Eastern Trombone Workshop performing with the SMU Trombone Quartet.

While in the local area, Rosengaft has performed with the Washington Opera and the McLean Orchestra. His principal teachers include John Kitzman and Ron Baedke.

Daniel Brady

Daniel Brady became bass trombonist with the "President's Own" United States Marine Band in June of 2008. Before joining, he was pursuing an undergraduate degree at Southern Methodist University studying under John Kitzman, principal trombone of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Other notable teachers include Joseph Alessi and James Markey of the New York Philharmonic. Daniel also has performed with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, Washington National Opera and the New York Philharmonic.

Conference Events

Several concerts and clinics will be taking place, featuring some of the country’s most prominent trombone professors. Also, exhibited at the conference are the finalists of the Yamaha-Xeno Tenor Trombone Solo Competition, the Edwards Bass Trombone Competition and the winning compositions for the Second Annual TTU Trombone Choir Composition Competition.

For more information and to purchase tickets, contact Jim Decker, conference host and trombone professor at Texas Tech, (806) 742-0511, james.decker@ttu.edu, or visit the conference Web site here.