James E. Pugh

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Trombonist Jim Pugh
Photo by Chris Brown

James Edward Pugh (born November 12, 1950) is a trombonist, composer, and educator. He is most noted as the lead trombonist with Woody Herman's Thundering Herd (1972-1976) and Chick Corea's Return to Forever Band (1977-1978). For over 25 years, he worked as a freelance trombonist in New York City. In recent years, he has toured and recorded with the rock group Steely Dan, is a founding member of the Graham Ashton Brass Ensemble, and is on faculty as Professor of Trombone at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

1 Growing Up
2 As a performer and recording artist
3 As a composer
4 As an educator
5 In the field of instrument development
6 Selected Discography
7 References and External links
8 Other James Pughs

[edit] Growing Up

Born in Camden, NJ and raised in Butler, PA, Jim began studying piano at age five and trombone at age ten. Before attending the Eastman School of Music, he studied trombone with Matty Shiner of Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. While at Eastman, Jim studied with Emory Remington, Donald Knaub, Chuck Mangione, Ray Wright, and was awarded Eastman's coveted Performer's Certificate.After graduating from the Eastman School of Music, Jim toured extensively with the Woody Herman Band and with Chick Corea before deciding to settle down and make New York City his home.

[edit] As a performer and recording artist

Since the 1980's, Jim became New York's top-call freelance trombonist for film scores, records, and music for television and radio advertising. He can be heard on more than four thousand recording sessions.

His trombone can be heard in collaboration with leading classical and popular artists and orchestras such as Yo-Yo Ma, Steely Dan, Eos, Concordia, St. Luke’s Orchestra, André Previn, Paul Simon, Barbara Streisand, Tony Bennett, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Pink Floyd, and Frank Sinatra.

Jim has been called on to add his sound to feature film soundtracks including A League of Their Own, When Harry Met Sally, and Meet Joe Black; and on hit Broadway cast recordings such as City of Angels, Fosse and Victor/Victoria.

In 2003, Jim “re-premiered” the Nathaniel Shilkret: Trombone Concerto to a sold-out audience at Carnegie Hall with Skitch Henderson and the New York Pops Orchestra. This mid-twentieth century masterpiece, originally written for Tommy Dorsey, will be heard in its first totally accurate recording, along with Jim's own Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra, on his up-coming new CD.

Jim Pugh is the only recipient of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Science's Virtuoso Award for Tenor trombone, awarded after being voted Tenor Trombone MVP by the New York recording community for five years.

[edit] As a composer

Jim's original music and arrangements can be heard on National Public Radio, in film scores, on "jingles", and on record. His composition, Lunch with Schrödinger's Cat, received a Lincoln Center premier in 1989 by Marin Alsop and the Concordia Chamber Orchestra. Jim premiered his Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra in May 1992 with the Williamsport Symphony. It received its New York premier in March 2000 with Joseph Alessi as soloist and Leonard Slatkin conducting the New York Philharmonic. A founding member of the Graham Ashton Brass Ensemble, several of Jim’s compositions can be heard on a recent CD entitled The Graham Ashton Brass Ensemble Plays The Music of James Pugh and Daniel Schnyder, available on the Signum label.

[edit] As an educator

Jim is currently on faculty at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In the past he has taught at SUNY-Purchase College, the University of the Arts (Philadelphia) and at New York University. He appears frequently at schools throughout the country as a guest artist/clinician. Many of these clinics/concerts are made possible through the help of the [Edwards Instrument Co].

[edit] In the field of instrument development

Jim has been involved with the development of the Edwards small bore tenor trombone and has worked closely with Dave Monette in the development of the Monette TS11 and TS 6 small shank tenor trombone mouthpiece. He endorses both of these products and plays Edwards trombones and Monette mouthpieces exclusively.