Jazz trombone

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Welcome to the jazz trombone studio at the University of Colorado Boulder College of Music!​​

You will receive many opportunities to perform with a variety of ensembles large and small. In addition to regular CU big band and combo concerts on campus, students often perform in other venues in the area. The Thompson Jazz Studies Program brings in a significant number of guest artists for master classes and performances with student ensembles. Additionally, the growing jazz scene in the greater Denver area provides students with significant opportunities to play as well as attend performances by professional artists both local and national.

The jazz trombone studio consists of undergraduate and graduate jazz majors, in addition to non-majors interested in jazz study. Each student’s course of study in private lessons is tailored to address specific needs. Lessons typically focus on both trombone technique (sound, facility, articulation) and the specifics of jazz (sound, time, harmony and melody).

The curriculum created for jazz majors is intended to provide students with all the tools necessary for success as a professional musician.

Paul McKee

Paul McKee earned a BME from the University of Northern Iowa and an MM in Composition from the University of Texas at Austin. In 1984, McKee joined Woody Herman’s Thundering Herd and appeared on several Grammy-nominated recordings. Over the years, McKee has served on the jazz faculty at schools including DePaul University, Youngstown State University, Northern Illinois University, the University of Missouri at Kansas City and Florida State University. McKee maintains a busy schedule as a clinician and guest artist, and his arrangements and compositions have been performed and recorded by professional and academic jazz ensembles worldwide. His recording “Gallery” was released to critical acclaim and features performances by Carl Fontana, Bobby Shew, Tim Ries and Ron Stout. McKee appeared on the recording “Back When It Was Fun” with 7 on 7, a group comprising musician-educators from colleges across the country. MORE