He is a multi-instrumentalist who now concentrates solely on the trombone. He began learning the piano while still young and followed up those studies with the euphonium. After deciding to concentrate on the trombone after he graduated from high school he took further studies at the Juilliard School and while there he gained experience working with the conductor Jean Paul Morel.
He joined the army in 1952 where he was assistant first trombone and then solo euphonium. He returned to New York in 1961 and took up a position with the Goldman Band and toured with the New York City Ballet.
He became a member of the American Brass Quintet and stayed with them for 28 years, making more than 30 recordings. He was bass trombonist with the American Symphony Orchestra for more than 20 years and has played with the Musica Aeterna Orchestra in the 110 in the Shade while it was running in Broadway.
He has been on the faculties of Juilliard School, Mannes School of Music and the Brooklyn Conservatory as well as being a board member of Chamber Music America and president of the American Symphony Orchestra. He is currently the Executive Director of the American Brass Chamber Music Association and is an Artist-Faculty Emeritus of the Aspen Music Festival and School.
Here he is on the bass trombone with the American Brass Quintet for Charles Ives’ “Song for the Harvest Season”..
Sources: