Jim Pugh

Professor of Trombone, University of Illinois

Jim is a distinguished trombonist, composer, and educator. The inspiring virtuosity and wonderful versatility he has demonstrated during his career has caused Jim to be often honored as the “musician's musician”. Whether he is performing as a concerto soloist in a symphonic setting, recording and touring with legendary artists in the fields of classical, jazz, and rock, or bringing forth his own exciting new compositions that expand the role of brass in contemporary music, his creativity knows no boundaries. After graduation from the famed Eastman School of Music in 1972, Jim toured and recorded numerous albums with Woody Herman and the “Young Thundering Herd”, among them 2 Grammy Award winners, “Giant Steps” and “Thundering Herd”. Leaving the “Herd” in 1976, Jim began a 3-decade-long stint freelancing in the New York City recording studios. During this time, he had the opportunity to work and record with a wide variety of musicians. A short list would include people and groups like: Paul Simon, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Donald Fagen, Walter Becker, Madonna, Pink Floyd, Arrowsmith, Steely Dan, George Micheal, Gerry Mulligan, Jim Hall, Jay Leonhart, David “Fathead” Newman, Herbie Mann, Neena Freelon, Nancy Wilson, Charles Wuorinen. Elliott Carter, André Previn; films like: Beauty and The Beast; Aladdin, Dressed To Kill, National Lampoon’s Vacation, All That Jazz, Star 80, The Untouchables, Wolf, Mission To Mars, Interview With The Vampire, Cobb, Frieda, Cape Fear, Carlito’s Way, Fargo, Hudsucker Proxy, Miller’s Crossing; Broadway shows: Sweeney Todd, City of Angles, Will Roger’s Follies, High Society and Fosse. On the more ‘classical’ side, Jim re-premiered the Nathaniel Shilkret Concert for Trombone and Orchestra (written in 1942 for Tommy Dorsey) in 2003 at Carnegie Hall with Skitch Henderson conducting the New York Pops Orchestra. He was also proudly, principal trombone and a founding member of both Marin Alsop’s Concordia Chamber Orchestra and Jonathan Sheffer’s EOS Orchestra and performed and recorded extensively with both groups. Composing and arranging music has also been a pattern of Jim’s musical life. He premiered and later recorded his own Trombone Concert (along with the Nathaniel Shilkret Concerto and Jeff Tyzik’s Trombone Concerto with Jeff Tyzik conducting the Colorado Symphony) for Albany Records. He has composed and arranged theme and documentary music for National Public Radio including All Things Considered, Morning Edition, Weekend Edition, Performance Today, The Most Dangerous Game. Considering himself a ‘pragmatic’ composer (writing usually only for himself or when asked...), he has been commissioned by, among others: the Concordia Chamber Orchestra, the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra, the St. Louis Low Brass Collective, the American Saxophone Quartet, and bass trombonist David Taylor. While still in New York, Jim taught at New York University, University of the Arts (Philadelphia) and SUNY-Purchase College. In 2005 he accepted an appointment as Distinguished Professor of Jazz Trombone at the University of Illinois - Urbana/Champaign, moved to the mid-west and started a family. Jim’s university groups and students have consistently won ensemble and soloist awards from the International Trombone Association (twice; 2012, 17) and the American Trombone Workshop (6 times; 2012, 14, 17, 18, 20 & 23). His students have successfully entered the world of professional music as university, college and public-school teachers, as freelance musicians in New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Chicago, Indianapolis, Washington DC and in various military music organizations: Navy Commodores, US Army Band, US Marine Band. Teachers: Jim is proud and grateful to have had the privilege of studying with and learning from: William Hill (1960-1963), Matty Shiner (1963-1968), Emory Remington (1968-1971), and first aurally and later sitting next to him, Urbie Green (1961-???). Equipment: Jim plays exclusively on BAC trombones and Monette mouthpieces and endorses AEA microphones.

Nick Finzer

NYC Jazz Artist

Hailed as a “Rising Star” in the world of jazz (DownBeat Critics Poll), Nick Finzer is making waves in the music industry with his dynamic original compositions and trombone artistry. Finzer has toured the globe as a bandleader as well as sharing the stage with some of the most respected names in jazz. As both a headlining trombonist and an entrepreneur, Finzer is on a mission to spread the joy and power of jazz. In the past ten years, Finzer has released seven critically acclaimed albums, garnering features in the industry’s top publications and reaching the #1 position on the JazzWeek Radio charts. His original compositions have received national recognition through the honor of two ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Awards, and in 2020 he became a recipient of the prestigious New Jazz Works grant from Chamber Music America. Finzer’s latest album "Legacy” released April 5, 2024, celebrating the centennial of trombone legend J.J. Johnson. In 2018, Nick Finzer made history as the inaugural Professor of Jazz Trombone at the prestigious jazz program at the University of North Texas. As a leading figure in the world of jazz, Finzer brings a wealth of experience and expertise to both the university and the world via his YouTube channel. Nick is an artist for Conn-Selmer Inc. and plays a King 3B+ Trombone.

Robyn Smith

Principal Trombone, Chicago Sinfonietta

Robyn Smith is the newly appointed Principal Trombonist of the Chicago Sinfonietta Orchestra and Adjunct Professor of Trombone at the University of Illinois Chicago. In her most recent engagements, Robyn has played, as a substitute, with The San Francisco Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, The Boston Pops and has toured internationally with the Boston Symphony. She has also previously performed as a guest artist at the International Trombone Festival, The Georgia State University "Trombone Day", The Dee Dee Bridgewater Big Band at the Detroit Jazz Festival and with the artist Lizzo at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards. She performs with a variety of ensembles and is an associate artist with the Rodney Marsalis Big Brass. Robyn’s solo work includes a performance with the Georgia Philharmonic, Michigan State University’s MLK tribute concert and as a featured soloist on New England Conservatory’s Contemporary Ensemble concert. Her awards extend internationally as she was the winner of the 2018 International Trombone Association’s Marsteller Solo Competition. Robyn is an advocate for the dismantling of oppressive structures that contribute to the lack of black and brown faces within high art forms. She teaches privately while also teaching through the Sistema Ravinia program that targets underrepresented youth in music. Robyn also mentors young black and brown musicians with goals of becoming professional musicians in various programs across the country.

Chris Bassett

Bass Trombone, St. Louis Symphony

Praised as “one of the finest examples of outstanding music-making,” bass trombonist Christopher Bassett is recognized for his detail, expressiveness, and commitment to expanding the trombone’s repertoire. He is the bass trombonist of the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra and maintains an active 2025–26 season with solo and recital engagements in major cities including St. Louis, Chicago, Albuquerque, Columbus (GA), Washington, D.C., Pittsburgh, and beyond. He also tours with the Ascension Trombone Quartet and performs with the STL Trombones. A dedicated educator, Bassett is co-founder of the Southwest Trombone Conference and serves as visiting faculty at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He has presented masterclasses internationally, held visiting professorships at Indiana University and the University of Florida, and will teach at several major 2026 summer festivals including the Southeast Trombone Symposium and a tour with the International Wind Ensemble Festival to southern China. Originally from Oceanside, California, he studied at the New England Conservatory and Columbus State University with esteemed teachers including Sean Reusch, James Markey, and Dr. Bradley Palmer. His past positions include the Jacksonville Symphony, Santa Fe Opera, and a one-year tenure with the San Francisco Symphony. His competition successes include Grand Prize in the Zellmer Competition and first prizes at the ATW, ITA Edward Kleinhammer, and ITA Quartet competitions. Bassett has performed as a soloist across Asia, Mexico, and the United States, and recently released his 2025 debut solo album “In Dreams.” He performs on his signature Ultimate Brass mouthpiece line and is an artist for Edwards Instrument Co. and Peck Custom Designs. He lives in St. Louis with his wife, SLSO violinist Siyu Zhang

Evan Williams

Assistant Principal, National Symphony Orchestra

Evan Williams is a Georgia native and joined the National Symphony Orchestra in September of 2024. Prior to playing with the National Symphony Orchestra, Evan served as Principal Trombone for Richmond Symphony for five seasons. Evan has also played with other orchestras including the Atlanta Symphony, Kansas City Symphony, San Antonio Symphony, and Seattle Symphony. Dr. Williams received his BM from Columbus State University and both a Masters and a Doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin. In 2019, he was named winner of several competitions including: ITF Alto Trombone Competition, Frank Smith Solo Competition, the Lewis Van Haney Excerpt Competition. Evan was also named winner of the Steven Zellmer Orchestral Trombone Competition in 2019.

The Capitol Bones

The Capitol Bones’ inaugural performance was in a restaurant called Firenzi’s in Arlington, VA approximately 1990 or so not long after Matt Niess joined The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” in Washington, DC in 1988. Their first big concert was at the International Trombone Festival at the Eastman School of Music in 1991 after winning the Kai Winding Competition sponsored by the International Trombone Association. The competition was the impetus that motivated Matt to forge the group into a trombone band like no other. This was followed by concerts at schools, concert halls, and festivals for the next 30 years. The current trombone section has been intact for well over ten years. The Capitol Bones use the Stan Kenton model, two bass trombones and three tenor trombones. The bass trombonists are the power and stability that the rest of the section locks onto and builds from. Jeff Cortazzo and Jerry Amoury are the bass trombonists and the tenors are Jay Gibble, Jim McFalls, and Matt Niess.