ABOUT US
We are classically trained trombonists but we don't let that stop us. Our members come from far more respectable institutions including the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Portland Columbia Symphony, Portland Opera, Portland Wind Symphony, Willamette Falls Symphony, The Oregon Symphonic Band, Art Abrams Swing Machine, Big New Band, Second Wind Jazz and Big Horn Brass. We play arrangements from Bach to Bacchanal yet we sound much better than we look. Education outreach, open rehearsals, recordings and concerts are part of our design. Stay tuned!
THE TROMBONISTS
(mostly listed in alphabetical order)
David Bryan brings over thirty years of wide-ranging performing experience as a professional trombonist. He is a member of the orchestras for both Portland Opera and Oregon Ballet Theater, and has performed and recorded with the Oregon Symphony. He has also performed with symphony orchestras in Honolulu, Seattle and Eugene, and is the principal trombonist of the Oregon Coast Music Festival.David has backed up many international artists in their northwest appearances, from Natalie Cole to Luciano Pavarotti, and has played in the pit orchestras for touring musicals featuring artists such as Jerry Lewis and Marie Osmond. His work as a lead trombonist in local groups such as the Woody Hite Band, the Carlton Jackson/Dave Mills Band and the Portland Jazz Orchestra is well known and regarded in Portland’s musical community. David played lead/solo trombone on many of Norman Leyden’s popular big band specials. He also enjoys long-standing membership and musical friendships in the Columbia Brass, Oregon Renaissance Band, and Pioneer Brass. David received a Bachelor of Music degree from Linfield College in 1985. He conducts the Big Horn Brass, the Northwest Horn Orchestra, and was the initial conductor for Rose City Trombones.
Larry Coates earned his bachelor’s degree in music and music education credential from California State University, Sacramento, where he studied trombone with Joseph Alessi, George Roberts, Mark Lawrence, Lester Lehr, and Ernie Hills. He earned his masters in conducting from Sam Houston University. While in Sacramento, Larry performed with the Camellia Symphony Orchestra, the California Winds, and freelanced. He moved to Portland in 1999. During his time in Oregon, he has played with the Oregon Symphonic Band, the Pacific Crest Wind Symphony, freelanced, and has been a soloist for the Oregon Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra. Larry has been awarded the Blazer “All-Star” teacher in 2002, the Beaverton “Outstanding Performing Arts Instructor” in 2006, and has been on the board of the Oregon Music Education Association 2005-2014.
Chuck Dunn grew up in Alaska and was the second trombonist in the Anchorage Symphony his senior year of high school. He earned his bachelor's degree in music (trombone performance) and mathematics at Lewis and Clark College, where he studied trombone with Pete Ellefson and Dave Bryan. During his time at Lewis and Clark, Chuck played for four years with the Portland Youth Philharmonic. After graduating, he wisely chose to pursue graduate studies in mathematics and is now a professor in the math department at Linfield College. Along the way, he studied trombone with Elliot Chasanov at the University of Illinois and Gail Wilson at Arizona State University. When not computing bigger and bigger numbers, he plays trombone in the Linfield Chamber Orchestra.
Jason Elliott earned his bachelor’s degree in trombone performance from the University of California at Santa Barbara where he studied with Bill Booth of the Los Angeles Opera and Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. Previous teachers include Larry Zalkind, Andy Malloy, Dr. Bruce Tychinski, Sean Reusch, Toby Oft and Phil Keen. Jason is currently 2nd trombone with the Willamette Falls Symphony and enjoys an active freelance schedule in the classical, jazz and indie music arenas as well as teaching privately in his studio and publicly for schools in the Portland Public School District. In addition to the Willamette Falls Symphony, he has performed with many local Portland brass ensembles, the Mike Curtis Jazz Project, Prankster Big Band, TV Jazz Band and enjoys composing and arranging music for private projects. Prior to moving to Oregon in 2012, Jason enjoyed performing with the Ventura Jazz Orchestra, bass trombone with the West Coast Symphony (Santa Barbara Fiesta Festival Orchestra), general freelance work across Southern California while in school and 2nd trombone with the San Diego Civic Youth Orchestra prior to college.
Sam Louke is bass and tenor trombonist. He performs around Portland with the Oregon Symphonic Band, Second Wind Jazz Band, The One More Time Around Again Marching Band, and Billy's Brass Band. He is also Chairman of the Board for Oregon Symphonic Band.
Brad McMillan attended Clackamas Community College and studied trombone with Leroy Anderson. From there he transferred to Portland State University where he earned a BS EE. He works for Biotronik developing pacemakers. While at PSU he played with the Portland Youth Symphony, along with David Bryan, another member of Rosé City Trombones. He was a founding member of the Bull Mountain Brass Quintet. He is currently playing with the Kathy James Sextet. He has managed to promote trombone playing at home by raising three children; two have adopted the trombone as their instrument of choice, the third plays the trombone part time along with flute and piccolo - the wife still refuses.
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Graham Middleton is Second Trombone with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, teaches low brass at George Fox University, and is a craftsman at Marcinkiewicz Co. Inc. Previously he worked as brass repair at Chuck Levins Washington Music Center, Dubuque Symphony Orchestra Principal Trombone, Opera Cleveland, Principal Trombone, Craftsman Schilke Music Products, Inc. & Craftsman at S. E. Shires Co. He holds degrees from Northwestern University BM Trombone Performance, University of Michigan Dual MM, Trombone and Chamber Music and completed one year of Post-Graduate Study at The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University. |
John Northe attended Lewis & Clark College where he earned a Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Music. His trombone teachers were Louis Philbeam, John Trudeau, Christopher Leuba and LeRoy Anderson. He taught band for 30 years in the David Douglas School District. John has played with the Portland Opera Orchestra, The Vancouver Symphony, The Columbia Symphony, The Oregon Symphonic Band, the Pacific Crest Wind Symphony, and the Portland Festival Orchestra. He has played over 30 Professional Broadway Touring Co. Productions from 1976 [A Chorus Line] to 2011 [Lion King and Mary Poppins revival]. John has been a sideman for Norman Leyden, Mel Tormé, Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole, Rosemary Clooney, Bob Hope, The Temptations, Frankie Valli, Mary Wilson, and the Three Irish Tenors. He played 24 years for the Ringling Bros. Circus, during their Portland shows and many years with the Ice Capades. Also 8 years with various bands on the Queen of the West Riverboat. John is currently waiting for his "big break."
John Ohnstad is a co-founder of Rose City Trombones and is the Bass Trombonist with the Portland Columbia Symphony Orchestra, the Art Abrams Swing Machine Big Band and Big Horn Brass. John has performed with Trombone 8, The Carlton-Jackson Dave Mills Big Band, The Oregon Symphonic Band, the Portland Youth Philharmonic, the Oregon Symphony and the Tucson Symphony.While attending the University of Arizona, John performed in all instrumental groups, musical performances, and opera productions. After graduating with a degree in Marketing and a Minor in Music Performance, John won an audition to perform in the Walt-Disney World All-American Orchestra's production of "Celebrate Broadway." John has recorded 3 albums with the Art Abrams Swing Machine Big Band and is a featured soloist on the latest album, "Speak Low, Swing Hard." John's teachers include: Richard Ballou, Rick Tippets, Marc Wolters, Gary Nelson, Tom Ervin, Richard Obregon, Jeffrey Reynolds, and George Roberts. John has and continues to enjoy a fun and exciting career in sales with General Transportation Services of Portland, OR. When not playing his Bass Trombone, John can be found with his lovely wife, 2 boys and riding his really, really big bike.
Todd Ouchida is a native Oregonian and self-proclaimed tenor trombonist. He started playing trombone
in the 7th grade and studied with David Bryan. Todd attended Oregon State University to study Engineering. While at OSU (Go Beavs!) Todd played in all of the bands, ensembles, and orchestras that did not require getting his feet muddy; he received the Maurie Clark Foundation Music Scholarship each year. Todd has enjoyed a fulfilling 30 year career with Intel. He plays trombone with RCT, the Minidoka Swing Band and Portland Christian Center Orchestra. He lives in rural Washington County with his lovely wife, half of his six children and an assortment of animals.
in the 7th grade and studied with David Bryan. Todd attended Oregon State University to study Engineering. While at OSU (Go Beavs!) Todd played in all of the bands, ensembles, and orchestras that did not require getting his feet muddy; he received the Maurie Clark Foundation Music Scholarship each year. Todd has enjoyed a fulfilling 30 year career with Intel. He plays trombone with RCT, the Minidoka Swing Band and Portland Christian Center Orchestra. He lives in rural Washington County with his lovely wife, half of his six children and an assortment of animals.
Dave Parker is emeritus director of the jazz programs at University of Portland. He is retired as a high school band director of 35 years. He writes music for a wide variety of clients, plays trombone professionally in the Portland area, and is active as an adjudicator and clinician for many different music events throughout the West. Dave possesses an MME from University of Northern Colorado. His music publishing business is Olliecreations.com.
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Spencer Schaffer holds the record as the youngest member of RCT, joining while he was still in high school. His teachers include Charles Reneau, Pete Ellefson and Randy Hawes. He is a music major at Northwestern University. Spencer has performed with the Oregon Symphony, Boston Symphony Brass Quintet, Boston University Tanglewood Institute Orchestra, Pink Martini, Portland Youth Philharmonic, and many other ensembles. In his spare time he is a writer of poetry, song lyrics, short stories, and has authored a novel.
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Howard Spindel was assigned trombone in the third grade because he was one of only two children that the teacher said had long enough arms. It turned into the perfect choice, as he was not nearly coordinated enough to play instruments with complicated features like valves. He attended the University of California at Berkeley, majoring in computer science but had a second home in the music department and played with the University Wind Band and University Symphony. After graduation, he played in numerous community orchestras in San Francisco, Los Angeles and then Portland after moving here in 1977. After a two-decade-plus layoff for family and a career in computing, the trombone reappeared from its patient waiting place in Howard's closet. In the last few years, Howard has played with several local orchestras and brass groups. In addition to the Rose City Trombones, he now plays with the Starlight Symphony, the Clark College Orchestra, Second Wind Jazz Ensemble, and Montavilla Brass Quintet.
Jerry Stalnaker is a shy, secretive, and nearly mythical bass trombonist. He refuses to write bios. Is difficult to photograph in a natural setting. Graduated Portland State University with a BS Music performance. Performed on Esperanza Spalding' Grammy-winning City of Roses recording. Jerry teaches in Portland Public Schools and also plays with the Oregon Symphonic Band and Portland Wind Ensemble.
Andy Taylor is a co-founder of Rose City Trombones and a bass trombonist. After an exciting few years at the Eastman School of Music (including the ESM Trombone Choir), Andy detoured to pursue a more reputable career in computer science winding up at Intel. When his daughter started playing cello, he rejoined the performance world. Andy has studied with John Marcellus (ESM), Mark Lusk (Penn State), Joe Stanko and Perry Martin. He has been mind-numbingly fortunate to perform with Vanessa Williams, Joe Morello, Frank Foster and under the direction of Aaron Copland. A jack of many trades, Andy records and produces our videos, maintains our web and facebook pages, arranges bookings, and does much of our marketing. You can also find him in the tbone sections of the Big New Band, Portlandia Brass Quintet & Oregon Symphonic Band. Andy teaches privately in his studio and specializes in recovering trombonists (adults returning to the instrument). He also free-lances around town on bass and tenor trombone.
Al Torres, co-founder, was principal and senior soloist with The United States Army Field Band in Washington DC. He performed with The U.S. Military Academy Band at West Point and The U.S. Continental Army Band in Hampton, Virginia. Al has had the pleasure of performing with Renée Fleming, Dido, Rosemary Clooney, Doc Severinsen and Joe Alessi. Al has played with the Virginia Symphony, Eastman Wind Ensemble, The New Sousa Band and The Boston Pops. Al has performed in 49 states, Korea, Japan, India, Norway, Bermuda, Mexico, Canada and somewhere within the arctic circle (71°17′44″N 156°45′59″W). Al is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music. Al traveled to Japan with the ESM Wind Ensemble and recorded “Sousa Spectacular” with them. He also played with the ESM Trombone Choir. Al is a member of Portland Center Stage and principal trombonist with the Sunnyside Symphony Orchestra. Al teaches privately and performs whenever the price is right.
Rick Tippets is a well-versed trombone/flugelhorn player with enormous skill. After studying trombone performance at the legendary North Texas State in the '70s, Rick earned his teaching degree at Portland State University and embarked on a 31-year career as band director at Lakeridge High School. He is a founding member of the Jacob Merlin Band and has played in many Portland area bands, including the Art Abrams Swing Machine Big Band, since 1987.
John Warton is an active freelance musician in the Portland Metro area. He plays regularly with the Portland Columbia Symphony, Newport Symphony, and other brass ensembles around town, as well as occasional appearances with the Portland Festival Orchestra, the Vancouver Symphony, and Big Horn Brass. John attended Portland State University and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music where he earned a degree in Music Performance. He was a member of the Marin Symphony, and regular substitute with the Dallas Wind Symphony, Texas Wind Symphony, Garland Symphony, and a founding member of the trombone quartet Slide Handlers while living in Dallas, Texas. He is delighted to be home taking care of his 5-year-old daughter Katie, and has been happily married to his wife Karen for 21 years.
Brandon Tabbal is a freelance trombonist in the Portland area. Heavily influenced by his favorite trombonists (and former teachers), Andy Martin, John Moak, and Ben Medler, Brandon's playing can be heard in various musical groups around town including jazz, classical, Latin, pop, rock, and funk. He has played with Trombone 8, Big New Band, Five Guys Named Moe, Bobby Torres, Jumptown Big Band, Lily Wilde & Her Orchestra, Art Abrams Swing Machine, Jack Quinby & His Orchestra, and many more. Brandon graduated with a bachelors degree in accounting from George Fox University.
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Jeffrey Williams is conductor of Rose City Trombones and University of Oregon Trombone Professor Emeritus. He received his B.Mus. degree from North Texas State University in 1965, M.S. degree from the University of Illinois in 1966, and the D.M.A. degree from North Texas State University in 1974. He studied trombone with Leon Brown, Robert Gray, and Glenn Smith. Williams was a member of the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, the Fort Worth Symphony and Opera Orchestras, and the American Wind Symphony, the Eugene Symphony and the Oregon Bach Festival Orchestra since 1981. Williams has taught at Miami University, Southwest Texas State University, and in the public schools of Garland and Richardson, Texas. He is a member of the International Trombone Association, the Music Educators National Conference, the National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors, and the Oregon Music Educators Association.
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RCT Alumni are always welcome whenever they are in town (or we are on a road trip). If they are in your area, hire them quick.
Joseph Jefferson - Jackson, MO, Ryan Gabbert - Houston, TX, Todd Schendel - Iowa Cita, IA, Sam Stewart - Indianapolis, IN, Michael Meier - Boise, ID
Joseph Jefferson - Jackson, MO, Ryan Gabbert - Houston, TX, Todd Schendel - Iowa Cita, IA, Sam Stewart - Indianapolis, IN, Michael Meier - Boise, ID