8th Position

This week we’re bringing you an interview with Dr. Justin Cook, Assistant Professor of Trombone at the University of Central Arkansas. Dr. Cook is an accomplished soloist and freelance artist, playing recitals and subbing in orchestras all over the country. Also a brilliant pedagogue, Dr. Cook has taught many masterclasses at universities and festivals in the US and abroad, and has tripled the size of the UCA trombone studio since his arrival. We talked at length in this interview about his experience hosting the 2022 International Trombone Festival, as well as how to help cultivate a positive studio culture and set students up for success. 

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Transition Music: Florida Concerto: I. Vivace, Frigyes Hidas, Justin Cook

Intro music: I Will Go Sailing No More, Randy Newman, Vanderbilt Trombone Quartet

Instagram: @8thposition @dabaldwin903 @lawson.gardner.music

This week we interviewed Alexis Smith, product specialist for SE Shires and principal trombonist of the Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra. One of the most recognizable faces in the trombone community, Alexis has fitted countless musicians for their custom Shires instruments. We had the pleasure of asking her about his history and work at the SE Shires company, as well as hearing some various other highlights from her collegiate and professional careers.

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Transition music: Quintet, Michael Kamen, Seraph Brass

Intro/Outro music: I Will Go Sailing No More, Randy Newman, Vanderbilt Trombone Quartet

Instagram: @8thposition @dabaldwin903 @lawson.gardner.music

For episode 2 of our third season, we’re bringing you a fantastic interview with Sean Reusch, trombonist and educator in the greater San Diego area. Mr. Reusch is a current member of the Nittany Trombone Quartet, has an extensive private teaching studio in Southern California, and is the founder and curator of Trombone101.com. He’s also written several books on low brass pedagogy, including Trombone and Euphonium Essentials. In this interview, we discussed the way his bachelor’s degree in psychology influences his teaching philosophy, what to consider when approaching younger students, and the resources offered on Trombone 101. 

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Transition music: Lullabye, Billy Joel, Sean Reusch and Scott Sutherland

Intro/Outro music: I Will Go Sailing No More, Randy Newman, Vanderbilt Trombone Quartet

Instagram: @8thposition @dabaldwin903 @lawson.gardner.music

Kicking off the third season of 8th Position with an interview with John Fedchock, Grammy-nominated composer and arranger and former lead trombonist and chief arranger of the Woody Herman Orchestra. This world-class jazz trombone soloist took us through his illustrious four-decade career and outlined some of his most notable experiences, including his time touring and recording with Woody Herman, the genesis of his New York Big Band project, and his personal friendship with the great Carl Fontana.

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Transition music: My Shining Hour, Harold Arlen, John Fedchock & Carl Fontana

Intro/Outro music: I Will Go Sailing No More, Randy Newman, Vanderbilt Trombone Quartet

Instagram: @8thposition @dabaldwin903 @lawson.gardner.music

This week on the podcast we welcome Mrs. Jennifer Wharton, NYC commercial bass trombonist and bandleader of Bonegasm. Jen has been a prominent name on the Broadway scene for several decades and has strong roots in the classical tradition despite her current jazz-centric endeavors. As an incredibly well-rounded musician and outgoing person, Jen is hard not to love as a person and a player all around.

We had a fun time talking with her about her move to New York and her freelancing beginnings, the formation of her group Bonegasm, her experiences playing on Broadway.

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Transition music: Tricotism, Oscar Pettiford, Jennifer Wharton & Bonegasm

Intro/Outro music: I Will Go Sailing No More, Randy Newman, Lawson Gardner

Instagram: @8thposition @dabaldwin903 @lawson.gardner2

This week on the podcast we interview Mr. Austin Pancner, CEO and founder of The Functional Musician and bass trombonist for The Orchestra Now. Austin is one of the most prominent and pioneering musician injury coaches on the scene right now, and is consistently breaking new ground with his injury prevention and recovery methods. While he is a trombonist, his philosophies and insights are applicable to all instruments, and even other disciplines. With a strong focus on a holistic approach to personal health and wellness as it relates to your instrument, he walks us through his “Four Pillars to Performing Without Pain” and offers advice and resources to those in different stages of an injury cycle.

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Transition music: Pines of Rome, Ottorino Respighi, Alan Gilbert & New York Philharmonic

Intro/Outro music: I Will Go Sailing No More, Randy Newman, Lawson Gardner

Instagram: @8thposition @dabaldwin903 @lawson.gardner2

This week on the podcast we interview Dr. Bradley Palmer, professor of trombone at Columbus State University and principal trombone of the LaGrange Symphony. Dr. Palmer's impact on the world of trombone pedagogy and low brass music cannot be understated. As the commissioner of many new works for trombone ensemble, a prominent recording engineer for solo and choir albums, and one of the most brilliant pedagogues of any brass instrument, he has had a large part in redefining many parts of the trombone world in the past 25 years. His vibrant career and personable disposition set him apart as not only a great trombonist, but a great musician and human being. 

We had the opportunity to speak with him about his pedagogical philosophies, his many career highlights, and some strong advice he would have for young students trying to break through. 

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Transition music: The Planet Krypton Fanfare/Superman March, John Williams arr. Nova, Bradley Palmer & STS Professors Choir 2015

Intro/Outro music: I Will Go Sailing No More, Randy Newman, Lawson Gardner

Instagram: @8thposition @dabaldwin903 @lawson.gardner2

This week on the podcast we’re joined by Matthew Neff, bass trombone of the North Carolina Symphony. As a musician with a long and diverse career in the US Navy bands, Matt is an incredibly skilled musician in a plethora of different styles. From the Commodores to subbing in symphony orchestras, and everything in between, he has a lofty amount of insight to share without losing touch with his sense of humor.

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Transition music: Make our Garden Grow, Leonard Bernstein arr. Slutter, Matt Neff & Mark Lusk with the Penn State Trombone Choir

Intro/Outro music: I Will Go Sailing No More, Randy Newman, Lawson Gardner

Instagram: @8thposition @dabaldwin903 @lawson.gardner2

Returning with the second half of season 2 with an interview with Prof. Nick Finzer, professor of jazz trombone at the University of North Texas, prolific composer and recording artist, and prominent online educator. As a top call freelance jazz musician in New York City, Nick established himself in the 2010s as one of the fiery new voices on the jazz trombone scene, making powerful connections with musicians like Wycliffe Gordon and Steve Turre to facilitate his success. Nick always seems to be balancing ten things at once in his career, but his decisive execution makes it look easy as he navigates through new terrain as an educational and artistic innovator. 

In this interview, we spoke to him about his early experiences with music, what it was like to take the plunge into the NYC music scene, and some of his strangest experiences with freelance playing. We also discussed his extensive discography, including but not limited to his upcoming album "Out of Focus," as well as the inner workings of his record label Outside In Music. 

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Transition music: Lit by Lightning, Nick Finzer 2013

Intro/Outro music: I Will Go Sailing No More, Randy Newman, Lawson Gardner

Instagram: @8thposition @dabaldwin903 @lawson.gardner2