The Trombone Corner

Episode #43 - Steve Suminski

The Trombone Corner Podcast is brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass [https://bobreeves.com/] and The Brass Ark [http://brassark.com/]. Join hosts Noah and John as they interview Steve Suminski, Los Angeles and Bay Area studio musician and freelancer. About Steve: Steven Suminski is an active freelance and studio trombonist in the Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay Areas. He currently serves as Guest Principal Trombone with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and holds posts as Principal Trombone with Symphony San Jose, Opera Santa Barbara and the Riverside County Philharmonic. Steven has appeared with many premier ensembles in the area, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Opera, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Santa Barbara Symphony, Long Beach Symphony and Los Angeles Master Chorale. As a studio musician he has recorded for film and television projects working with composers such as John Williams, Christophe Beck, Michael Giacchino, James Newton Howard, Ludwig Göransson and countless others. Passionate about chamber music and performing new works, he is a member of the acclaimed Modern Brass Quintet and is a founding member of the award winning group Brass Pacifica, currently working for the educational division of the Music Center of Los Angeles. Steven began playing trombone at the age of nine, eventually moving to Los Angeles to study music performance at the University of Southern California. Currently he lives in the Los Angeles area and maintains an active teaching studio at Riverside City College.

Episode #42 - Joseph Alessi

The Trombone Corner Podcast is brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass [https://bobreeves.com/] and The Brass Ark [http://brassark.com/]. Join hosts Noah and John as they interview Joseph Alessi [https://alessimusicstudios.com/], principal trombone of the New York Philharmonic. About Joseph Alessi: Joseph Alessi [https://www.slidearea.com/] was appointed Principal Trombone of the New York Philharmonic in the spring of 1985. He began musical studies in his native California with his father, Joseph Alessi, Sr. As a high school student in San Rafael, California, he was a soloist with the San Francisco Symphony before continuing his musical training at Philadelphia's Curtis Institute of Music. Prior to joining the Philharmonic, Mr. Alessi was second trombone of The Philadelphia Orchestra for four seasons, and principal trombone of L'Orchestre symphonique de Montreal for one season. In addition, he has performed as guest principal trombonist with the London Symphony Orchestra in Carnegie Hall led by Pierre Boulez. Mr. Alessi is an active soloist, recitalist, and chamber music performer. In April 1990 he made his solo debut with the New York Philharmonic, performing Creston's Fantasy for Trombone, and in 1992 premiered Christopher Rouse's Pulitzer Prize- winning Trombone Concerto with the Philharmonic, which commissioned the work for its 150th anniversary celebration. His most recent appearance with the Philharmonic as soloist was in performances of the Tan-Dun Trombone Concerto in March of 2024. Mr. Alessi also has appeared as soloist with the New York Philharmonic in performances of concerti by Kazimierz Serocki, Bramwell Tovey, William Bolcom, Chick Corea, and William Grant Still. Composed especially for Mr. Alessi, he performed the world premiere of the Chick Corea Trombone Concerto with the Säo Paulo Symphony Orchestra in August of 2021. Joseph Alessi has recorded and performed extensively with five prominent trombone quartets; The New York Trombone Quartet resulting in the only recording of Bartok's 4th String Quartet, Aries Trombone Quartet, Four of a Kind Trombone Quartet, the World Trombone Quartet, and Slide Monsters Trombone Quartet. Other solo engagements have included the New Japan Philharmonic, Nagoya Philharmonic, Gulbenkian Symphony, Costa Rica Symphony, National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan, Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony, Orchestra of Teatro Bellini, Mannheim National Theater Orchestra, Hauge Philharmonic, Helsinki Philharmonic, and the Colorado, Nashville, Alabama, Santa Barbara, Syracuse, and Puerto Rico symphony orchestras. Mr. Alessi has also participated in numerous festivals, including the Festivale Musica di Camera in Portogruaro, Italy; Cabrillo Music Festival; Swiss Brass Week; and Lieksa Brass Week in Finland. He was featured in the 1997 International Trombone Festival in Feldkirch, Austria, and the International Meeting of Brass Instruments in Lille, France. In 2002 Mr. Alessi was awarded an International Trombone Association Award for his contributions to the world of trombone music and trombone playing, and in 2014, was elected President of that association. Mr. Alessi is currently on the faculty of The Juilliard School; his students now occupy posts with many major symphony orchestras in the U.S. and internationally. As a clinician for the Eastman-Shires Instrument Co., he has also given master classes throughout the world and has toured Europe extensively as a master teacher and recitalist. He has performed as soloist withseveral leading concert bands, including the U.S. Military Academy Band at West Point, U.S. Army Band (Pershing's Own), and the U.S. Marine Band (President's Own). In addition, he has performed with the Maria Schneider Orchestra, the Village Vanguard Orchestra, and has recorded with jazz greats, J.J. Johnson and Steve Turre. Mr. Alessi's discography includes many releases on the Summit record label, including the Trombonastics, and a disc with New York Philharmonic Principal Trumpet Philip Smith entitled Fandango; he also recorded New York Legends on the Cala label. His live recording of the Rouse Concerto with the New York Philharmonic can be heard on Volume II of the recent release, An American Celebration, on New York Philharmonic Special Editions, the Orchestra's own recording label. Mr. Alessi was invited by the International Trombone Association to record a solo disc of newly composed works, which was distributed to the Association's membership of 5,000 trombonists. in early 1999 and is now available as Beyond the End of the Century through Summit Records. His recording of George Crumb's Starchild on the Bridge record label, featuring Mr. Alessi as soloist, won a Grammy Award for 1999– 2000. Other recordings featuring Mr. Alessi are with the Canadian Brass (Sony Classical and Philips Records). Further information about Mr. Alessi can be found on his website, www.slidearea.com [https://www.slidearea.com]. Mr. Alessi plays exclusively on a Shires- Alessi model trombone. As a conductor, Mr. Alessi has conducted the Juilliard Trombone Choir, the Danbury Community Orchestra and the New York Concerti Sinfonietta in Carnegie Weill Recital Hall and will conduct the World Doctor's Orchestra in November of 2025.

Episode #41 - Tom "Bones" Malone

The Trombone Corner Podcast is brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass [https://bobreeves.com/] and The Brass Ark [http://brassark.com/]. Join hosts Noah and John as they interview Tom "Bones" Malone. [https://www.tombonesmalone.net/] About Tom : Tom "Bones" Malone, trombonist, multi-instrumentalist, arranger & producer is best known for his work with The Blues Brothers, David Letterman Show and Saturday Night Live. Tom has played on 4,400+ television shows, 3,500+ radio & television commercials, over 1,500 recordings and thousands of live performances throughout the world. Tom has done 3,000 arrangements for television. Tom plays trombone, tuba, bass trombone, contrabass trombone, euphonium, bass trumpet, trumpet, flugelhorn, piccolo trumpet, alto sax, tenor sax, baritone sax, flute, piccolo, alto flute and bass flute. "Tom Bones Malone, a multi-instrumentalist, is perhaps the most successful musician in the history of film, live television and sound recording production." - Ray Hair, president, American Federation of Musicians Tom has performed, recorded and/or arranged for Ray Charles, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, Gil Evans, Yes, Miles Davis, Beck, Aretha Franklin, Spyro Gyra, Jimmy Cliff, Frank Zappa, Stuff, The Temptations, The Supremes, Sting, Elton John, James Taylor, J Giels Band, Blood Sweat & Tears, The Band, Levon Helm, Phil Collins, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, Ben E. King, The BeeGees, Meco, The Coasters, Bon Jovie, Carly Simon, Dr. John, Olivia Newton-John, Joe Cocker, The Meters, The Neville Brothers, Leo Sayer, Boz Skaggs, Chuck Berry, Robert Plant, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Gypsy Kings, Willie Nelson, Clint Black, Dolly Parton, George Benson, B B King, Vince Gill, John Mayer, Steve Winwood, The Killers, Blues Traveler, The Stylistics, Busta Rhymes, Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Springsteen, Al Green, Gloria Estefan, Garth Brooks, Faith Hill, Eddie Harris, Cyndi Lauper, David Bowie, 'N Sync, Coolio, Snoop Dog, 50 Cent, Solomon Burke, Steely Dan, Aerosmith, Tony Bennett, Mary J. Blige, Peter Frampton, Lyle Lovett, Etta James, Jon Secada, Joe Cocker, Sinead O'Conner, Toni Braxton, Harry Connick, Jr., Randy Newman, Little Richard, Pointer Sisters, Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, Marvin Gaye, Whitney Houston, Chaka Kahn, Four Tops, Elephant's Memory, Eddie Floyd, Count Basie, The Spinners, The Stylistics, Barry Manilow, Jose Feliciano, Woody Herman, Tom Petty, Macy Grey, Van Morrison, Frankie Valli, Hanson, Peggy Lee, Brenda Lee, Liza Minelli, Cab Calloway, The O'Jay's, Nancy Wilson, Shirley Bassey, Billy Joel, Bonnie Tyler, Lou Reed, Baja Men, Dr. Buzzard's Savannah Band, Joss Stone, Dionne Warwick, Meatloaf, Ashford & Simpson, Pat Metheny, David Sanborn, Luther Vandross, Teddy Pendergrass, Glen Campbell, Malo, Vicki Sue Robinson, Mandrill, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Diana Ross, Average White Band, Dreamgirls, Van McCoy, Mongo Santamaria, Instant Funk, Stephanie Mills, Herbie Mann, Paul Simon, Gloria Gayner, Plácido Domingo, Village People, Bobby Blue Bland, Pink Floyd, Hubert Laws, Tina Turner, Joe Jackson, Chuck Mangione, Lou Rawls, David Byrne, Phil Woods, James Ingram, Hank Crawford, Carmen McRae, Bette Midler, Phoebe Snow, Rupert Holmes, BJ Thomas, Samantha Sang, Al Jarreau, Sheena Easton, Johnny Taylor, Little Milton, Stanley Clark, Little Anthony & The Imperials, Joe Pesche, Ron Carter, Buddy Rich, Les Elgart, Larry Elgart, Billy Cobham, Louis Bellson, Stanley Turrentine, Gato Barbieri, Ringo Starr, Lady Gaga, Bob Geldoff, Debbie Harry, Run DMC, Ricky Martin, John Mellencamp, Eurythmics, Rufus Thomas, Debby Harry, Run DMC, Ricky Martin, Shaggy, John Mellencamp, Chris Montez, Joey Dee, Dusty Springfield, The Blues Brothers, Hanson and many others.

Episode #40 - Paul the Trombonist

The Trombone Corner Podcast is brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass [https://bobreeves.com/] and The Brass Ark [http://brassark.com/]. Join hosts Noah and John as they interview Paul the Trombonist [https://www.paulthetrombonist.com/]. About Paul the Trombonist: Paul Nowell [https://www.paulthetrombonist.com/], widely recognized as "Paul The Trombonist," is a multi-talented artist rooted in Los Angeles, boasting roles as a music producer, songwriter, entrepreneur, performer, educator, YouTuber, and esteemed trombonist. His diverse skill set has led to private performances for a star-studded audience that includes names like Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Scorsese, and Charlize Theron, among others. Garnering tens of millions of views, his original content videos stand testament to his growing acclaim. In his formative years, while performing in a jazz club in Cleveland with his ensemble, Paul caught the attention of Ron Ellington Shy — a notable figure linked to Duke Ellington and known for his involvement with the Drifters and Coasters. This chance encounter propelled him into collaborative projects with Ellington Shy. Not just that, his youth also witnessed a stint to perform with jazz icon Chico Hamilton's band, a worldwide tour with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, and participation in the Tony-award-winning "best musical" "Memphis" written by Bon Jovi's keyboardist, David Bryan. His collaboration with the ten-time Grammy awardee Arturo Sandoval to create a series of online videos saw a meteoric rise to fame, captivating millions globally. The world of comedy has embraced Paul too, thanks to his collaborative performances with the renowned comedian Sinbad, amalgamating music and humor in an unprecedented style. His rich portfolio further extends to performances with soul music royalty Aretha Franklin, Seth MacFarlane — the brain behind Family Guy, the legendary Frankie Valli, and Noel Gallagher from Oasis. A proud alumnus of the Berklee College of Music, where he honed his skills under the guidance of trombone maestros including the illustrious Phil Wilson, Paul's journey came full circle when he reunited with Wilson to craft a successful video series, a project he cherishes dearly. This reunion bore the genesis of "Bone Masters," a pioneering internet show helmed by Paul, wherein he engages with living legends of the trombone world, orchestrating masterclasses and interviews, thereby creating the most expansive educational video library dedicated to the trombone. Paul's live performances are a league of their own, innovatively blending trombone with technology to forge sounds traversing Jazz, Pop, Hip-Hop, and Electronic genres. Leveraging modern technology and keyboards coupled with trombone improvisations, he crafts a transcendental musical experience. Apart from his musical endeavors, Paul is a well-recognized name in the online business arena, having secured numerous business accolades, including the prestigious 2 Comma Club awards on multiple occasions. His entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to excellence are evident in every venture he undertakes, showcasing a multifaceted talent who continuously strives for greatness in the music industry and beyond. As a respected member of The Recording Academy, Paul contributes his vote annually at the Grammy Awards, holding a distinguished role in shaping the future of music.

Episode #39 - Amanda Stewart

The Trombone Corner Podcast is brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass [https://bobreeves.com/] and The Brass Ark [http://brassark.com/]. Join hosts Noah and John as they interview Amanda Stewart [https://amandatrombone.com/], of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. About Amanda: Amanda Stewart [https://www.instagram.com/amandastewarttrombone/?hl=en] is currently the Associate Principal Trombonist of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, a position she began in the Fall of 2014. Born in Oakland, Maryland, she began playing the trombone at the age of six. Her studies started with Harold Hudnall and continued with Dr. H. Keith Jackson, current Dean of the College of Creative Arts of West Virginia University. She received her bachelor of music degree from The Juilliard School, studying with Joseph Alessi. As an orchestral musician, Ms. Stewart has played with numerous orchestras. She was Principal trombonist of the San Antonio Symphony for eight seasons, Assistant Principal trombonist of the Lyric Opera of San Antonio for four seasons, and Associate Principal trombonist of the New York Philharmonic for two seasons. Ms. Stewart has also been a regular substitute and extra player with the Boston Symphony and has toured with them internationally. She has also performed with the Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, National, North Carolina, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Toronto Symphonies. Ms. Stewart has also spent several summers performing in the Colorado Music Festival Orchestra. In other performing capacities, Ms. Stewart is a current member of the trombone ensemble, STL Trombones. She has also performed as a member of the Burning River Brass and the San Antonio Brass. During her tenure as a member, Ms. Stewart performed twice as a soloist with the San Antonio Symphony. She has also appeared as a guest artist at the International Trombone Festival and the International Women's Brass Conference. As an educator, Ms. Stewart currently teaches at Washington University in St. Louis, and has taught privately at several other universities, namely Our Lady of the Lake University, St. Mary's University, Rutgers University, Trinity University, and McKendree University. For part of the 2025 Spring Semester, she served as an adjunct Assistant Professor of Music at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music. Also, Ms. Stewart has also given masterclasses at many national universities and conservatories, including the New England Conservatory, Rice University, and The Juilliard School. Ms. Stewart is an Edwards artist, performing on Edwards trombones and Griego Mouthpieces.