The Trombone Corner

This episode of The Trombone Corner, featuring orchestral trombonist, arranger and composer Gerry Pagano, is brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass and The Brass Ark.

The Trombone Corner is now on video! You can watch this episode on our YouTube channel here:
"Gerry Pagano: Sackbuts, Stories and Trombone Lore"
And, find the expanded show notes, transcript and more photos here
---
From a kid digging out his dad's old trombone case from the closet to 27 years in the St. Louis Symphony, Gerry Pagano shares the hard-won lessons, detours, and lucky breaks that shaped one of the most beloved bass trombonists in the game.
Gerry has great stories, sharp advice, and the kind of honesty only a veteran can deliver. He talks about the "practice at home" wake-up call that changed how he interacted with his fellow musicians, the teachers and colleagues who pushed him forward, and the years freelancing in Georgia, New York and San Francisco before landing the stable orchestral life he had chased.
We also dig into understanding great orchestral playing, the mindset required to thrive as a bass trombone player, and how retirement opened the door to composing, recording, and freelancing again.
And because this is Trombone Corner, there's plenty for gear fans too: vintage Conns, a favorite Bach 42, an Edwards, contrabass adventures, and a love letter to old horns, music memories, and the sound of a truly great section.
Just a couple of the memorable quotes from Gerry:
"We gave up a really creative, interesting, humorous name for our instrument when we gave up sackbut... Imagine if you could say, 'I play the sackbut.' That would have a totally different impact!"
"Before you ever play an instrument, you're a musician or you're not. It's inside of us... You can always learn an instrument, but music has to be a part of you to begin with."
About Gerry Pagano:
Gerry Pagano is a professional trombonist whose musical career has taken him around the world and across a wide range of musical styles. After studying at the University of Georgia and the Juilliard School, he performed with ensembles including the San Francisco Ballet and San Francisco Opera before joining the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra in 1995, where he built a distinguished career as bass trombonist.
Throughout his career, Gerry has performed in orchestras, opera, ballet productions, Broadway shows, jazz ensembles, and more. He is also a dedicated educator and advocate for low brass, helping foster the next generation of musicians through masterclasses, workshops, and the St. Louis Low Brass Collective.
Gerry's lifelong passion for music and the trombone continues to shape his work as a performer, collaborator, and mentor.
Episode Links:
https://gerrypagano.org/
https://www.youtube.com/@gerrypagano490/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550224981015

 
Bob Reeves Brass Events and Appearances:
NCMEA Conference, November 8-9, Winston-Salem, NC
Greg Black Mouthpieces, November 10, Mount Holly, NC
Podcast Credits:
Theme Music: The Trombone Choir Arrangements of Jay Friedman, Vol. 1
Audio Engineer – Ted Cragg
Photo Credits - Courtesy Gerry Pagano
Podcast Hosts – Noah Gladstone & John Snell

This episode of The Trombone Corner, featuring trombonist, band leader and recording artist Fred Wesley, is brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass and The Brass Ark.

The Trombone Corner is now on video! You can watch this episode on our YouTube channel here:
"Fred Wesley: Trombone Funk and a Legendary Career"
And, find the expanded show notes, transcript and more photos here
---
He's one of the trailblazers of funk, the man who helped define the sound of James Brown, Parliament and Funkadelic, working with Maceo Parker and Bootsy Collins, amongst so many more.
But he didn't set out to be known as "Funky Fred." In fact, the funk came to him very much by accident. Jazz was his first love: JJ Johnson, Kai Winding, Carl Fontana, Miles Davis - Fred knew every note Kind of Blue.
Fred Wesley joins Noah and John to talk about his path from a musically rich childhood in Mobile, Alabama to becoming one of the defining trombone voices in funk and jazz. We learn about the early gigs that shaped him, the demands of touring with Ike & Tina Turner, James Brown and George Clinton, and how he later returned to jazz and big band work.
Along the way, Fred learned tons of practical advice that he shares with younger players: learn your instrument, learn the business, and show up prepared.
Fred continues to record and tour, including shows this fall in Europe and Australia, and he shares the recent work with his Fred Wesley Generations Trio featuring Leonardo Corradi and Tony Match. Truly an inspiration to generations of musicians, and a man who put the trombone on the map!
About Fred Wesley:
 Fred Wesley is one of the defining voices of funk trombone. As a key member, arranger and musical director for James Brown and the JBs, his playing helped shape some of the most important records in funk  history. Fred later joined George Clinton's Parliament Funkadelic, and also  brought his sound into jazz with the Count Basie Orchestra.  
Over a career spanning more than six decades, Fred has performed and recorded with artists including Ray  Charles, Maceo Parker, Bootsy Collins, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Van Morrison.  He has also continued exploring jazz through projects like the Generations Trio, alongside Leonardo Corradi and Tony Match.
Today, Fred continues to perform, record, and tour, carrying  forward one of the most influential trombone voices in modern music.
Episode Links:
https://www.funkyfredwesley.com/ with tour dates
Generations Trio https://www.funkyfredwesley.com/generationstrio
The Fred Wesley Quartet, To Someone
KNKX Public Radio Studio Session, great set!
Bob Reeves Brass Events and Appearances:
Virtuosity Music, October 9-10, Boston, MA
Signup link
NCMEA Conference, November 8-9, Winston-Salem, NC
Greg Black Mouthpieces, November 10, Mount Holly, NC
Podcast Credits:
Theme Music: The Trombone Choir Arrangements of Jay Friedman, Vol. 1
Audio Engineer – Ted Cragg
Cover Photo Credit – Henirch Buttler
Blog Photo Credits - Dino Perrucci, Ingrid Devlaming, Marcos Hermes, Stevens Drean, Jan Van Hecke
Podcast Hosts – Noah Gladstone & John Snell

This episode of The Trombone Corner, featuring British trombonist, composer and arranger Callum Au, is brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass and The Brass Ark.

The Trombone Corner is now on video! You can watch this episode on our YouTube channel here:
"Callum Au: Unlock a Career on Your Own Terms"
And, find the expanded show notes, transcript and more photos here
---
It was an accident of school band placement that has led to a brilliant musical career, and brought Callum Au to our stages and speakers. Because he could reach the sixth position when other kids couldn't, Callum's music teacher suggested the trombone, and the rest is history.
The National Youth Jazz Orchestra gave Callum a practical education in arranging, writing around 120 charts, hearing them played immediately, and learning what worked in real time. Callum credits much of his growth not just to formal lessons, but to sitting next to experienced players like Jon Stokes and Andy Flaxman and learning from their sound, phrasing, etiquette, and professionalism. Indeed, you'll never guess what he studied for his university degree!
Today, Callum is a leader and inspiration himself, collaborating with international artists on Grammy-winning albums, and writing and recording his own material, including the stunning new release, Sing Seven Seas.
Our conversation today also unlocks the secret of arranging and transcribing: the surest path to a sustainable, successful and influential career.
And check out the latest episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring trumpeter James Davison, a frequent collaborator with Callum Au.
About Callum Au:
Callum Au is a British composer, arranger, orchestrator, and trombonist. He writes music across a wide range of genres, with a particular passion for big band and large jazz ensemble music. He is highly regarded for his stylistic awareness and versatility,  and has worked with some of the world's biggest artists.
Over the past fifteen years, Callum has established himself as one of the busiest arrangers in the world. He has had the privilege of writing music for many international artists including Quincy Jones, Jamie Cullum and RAYE, and ensembles including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the WDR Funkhaus Orchestra, and the Danish Radio Big Band. In 2021 he arranged two songs for Michael Bublé's Grammy winning album 'Higher'. More recently, he contributed four arrangements to Dua Lipa's 'Live from the Royal Albert Hall' and wrote the vast majority of the critically acclaimed 2024 BBC Concert Orchestra Disco Prom.
Callum is also active as a composer, with his flair for arresting melodies and lush complex harmony proving popular with audiences and musicians alike. Recent commissions include works for Inner City Brass, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, and Bone a-fide Trombone Quartet, and groups as diverse as the BBC Concert Orchestra and the SWR Big Band have performed his original music.
Callum's latest release is Sing Seven Seas, a product of an audacious seven‑day recording marathon, where Callum united more than eighty extraordinary artists to create a vibrant double album. The album was released on June 1st, 2026, and showcases four years of original writing crafted specifically for these musicians and the remarkable things they can do, capturing the energy, colour, and imagination that define Callum's musical world.
Episode Links:
https://callumaumusic.com/
Sing Seven Seas, the album: https://callumaumusic.com/s7s/ 
Swipe Right! from Sing Seven Seas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZycetABQze0 
YouTube @callumaumusic
Instagram @callumau
Facebook @callumaumusic
Bob Reeves Brass Events and Appearances:
Joy Brass, September 17-24, Tokyo Japan
http://joybrass.com
email to sign up: tp@joybrass.co.jp
Virtuosity Music, October 9-10, Boston, MA
Greg Black Mouthpieces, November 6-7, Mount Holly, NC
NCMEA Conference, November 8-9, Winston-Salem, NC
Podcast Credits:
Theme Music: The Trombone Choir Arrangements of Jay Friedman, Vol. 1
Audio Engineer – Ted Cragg
Photo Credits – Kenny McCracken
Podcast Hosts – Noah Gladstone & John Snell

The Trombone Corner Podcast is brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass and The Brass Ark.  Join hosts Noah and John as they interview Raymond Mason.
 
About Raymond:
At 35, Raymond James Mason has rapidly carved out a place as a sought-after studio musician and one of the leading trombonists in the high-demand world of pop music horn section work.
From Taylor Swift to Ed Sheeran, Alicia Keys to Bruno Mars, Erykah Badu to Kelly Clarkson, Ray has performed alongside an eclectic roster of superstars across generations. His expansive career bridges genres, with notable collaborations including Don Henley, The Roots, Randy Newman, David Byrne, Jessie J, and many more.
Ray's presence on Live TV is equally impressive. He was a key player in the 2020 Super Bowl LIV Halftime Show with Jennifer Lopez and Shakira, and performed with Eminem at the Academy Awards that same year. Other notable TV appearances include Saturday Night Live with Bruno Mars, The GRAMMY Awards with Nas, and the CMA Awards with Earth, Wind & Fire and Lady A.
A seasoned touring artist, Ray has lent his trombone and multi-instrumental skills to acclaimed acts such as Bon Iver, Mumford & Sons, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Mark Ronson, FELA! The Musical, Lukas Graham, GRiZ, Valerie June, Bright Eyes, and Broken Social Scene, among others.
As a studio trombonist, Ray's horn section work is featured on global hits like "Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars. His credits also include records by Mac Miller, Lizzo, The Roots, Macklemore, Norah Jones, Little Big Town, and more. He's contributed to projects on renowned labels like Daptone, Truth & Soul, and Big Crown, including Charles Bradley's "Change For The World," Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings' "Soul of a Woman," and Lee Fields & The Expressions' "It Rains Love."
Ray's arranging skills have found their place with top producers including Dan Auerbach, Mark Ronson, Adam Blackstone, Diplo, El Michels Affair, and Danger Mouse. He's written for artists like Ed Sheeran, Lee Fields, Beck, Kelis, and Yola.
In the world of soundtracks, Ray's work appears in major releases like the Amazon Prime Sports Theme, The Boys Season 3, The Get Down on Netflix, and upcoming projects for Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, and AppleTV+. His music also resonates in ads for global brands such as Nike, Facebook, Taco Bell, and Garnier, alongside shows like Marvel's Captain America on Disney+, Suits on USA, Made For Love on HBO Max, and the theme for Barry on HBO.
As a member of the Brooklyn afrobeat collective Antibalas, Ray earned a GRAMMY nomination for Best Global Music Album in 2020. His work with Antibalas has taken him to festivals around the world, where he's shared the stage with artists like My Morning Jacket, Brittany Howard, The Roots, Dr. John, Angelique Kidjo, and even Bill Withers in his final Carnegie Hall performance.
Ray's musical foundation was built at NYU, where he studied under some of the most respected trombonists of our time: Tom Hutchinson, Mark Patterson, Robin Eubanks, Alan Ferber, and Elliot Mason. His mentorships with SNL Bandleader Lenny Pickett, GRAMMY-winning composer Brian Lynch, and Director of NYU Jazz Dave Pietro deepened his approach to the wide-ranging musical landscape of the 21st century.
A native New Yorker, Ray spent over a decade honing his craft in NYC, followed by five years in Nashville, and now lives in Los Angeles with his wife.

The Trombone Corner Podcast is brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass and The Brass Ark.  Join hosts Noah and John as they interview Harry Ries and Markus Leuchter.
 
About Harry:
Harry Ries is a Dutch trombonist and early music specialist, born in 1947 in Kerkrade, Netherlands. After completing his studies in The Hague, he built a distinguished orchestral career, serving as principal trombonist with both the Limburg Symphony Orchestra in Maastricht and later the Gürzenich Orchestra in Cologne. In 1978, he was appointed principal trombonist of the West German Radio Symphony Orchestra in Cologne, a position that further established his reputation as a leading orchestral musician.
Alongside his orchestral work, Ries became deeply involved in historically informed performance, collaborating with many of Europe's most prominent early music ensembles. His credits include performances with groups such as Hesperion XXI, the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, La Petite Bande, and Concerto Palatino, working with leading figures in the early music movement.
In addition to his performing career, he has been an influential educator, teaching trombone and chamber music at the conservatories of Maastricht and Aachen. Over time, his artistic focus increasingly shifted toward early brass instruments, particularly the sackbut, contributing to the revival and evolution of historical trombone performance practice.
 
About Markus:
Markus Leuchter is a German trombone maker specializing in both historical brass instruments and modern trombones. His workshop is located in Herzogenrath, near Aachen, Germany.
Markus apprenticed with the renowned trombone builder Heribert Glassl in Nauheim, and has collaborated with trombonists Harry Ries, Christoph Schwarz, and Noah Gladstone on a variety of models and instrument designs. He is particularly well known for his alto, bass, and contrabass trombones, as well as his work in historical brass.
He maintains a small workshop near his home, where he handcrafts each instrument from start to finish. His instruments are used by professional performers in early music as well as players in leading radio and symphony orchestras across Europe.