JazzBonez

JazzBonez, a trombone ensemble based in Austin, Texas, has become one of the nation’s premiere jazz trombone ensembles. The group came together in 2006 while attending graduate school at The University of Texas at Austin. JazzBonez consists of trombonists Mitch Butler, Oscar Diaz, Emede Gonzalez, Martin McCain, Javier Stuppard, and Ulrican Williams. Rhythm section members include Austin Kimble, piano; Pat Harris, bass; Utah Hamrick, bass; Quinntin Smith, vibraphone/congas; David Sierra, drums.

As a jazz trombone ensemble, the band is committed to promoting the trombone and continuing the legacy of great jazz ‘bone groups of Slide Hampton, JJ Johnson, Kai Winding and the Capitol Bones. In 2007, under the name Texas Jazz Bones, the ensemble won the International Trombone Association’s Kai Winding Jazz Trombone Ensemble Competition. A few weeks later, JazzBonez were named winner of the Eastern Trombone Workshop’s National Jazz Trombone Ensemble Competition.

The group has performed with renowned artists such as Paul McKee, Bill Reichenbach, Michael Davis, Tony Baker, Reggie Watkins and Harry Watters. JazzBonez performed at the 2007 Eastern Trombone Workshop in Fort Myer, VA and International Trombone Festival in Las Vegas, NV. JazzBonez was also featured at the 2008 TMEA Convention in San Antonio, TX; furthermore they have been invited to perform Texas Jazz Festival in Corpus Christi, TX since 2008. They continue to reach out to the community by performing at various schools and other educational opportunities.

JazzBonez has recently performed at the 2010 International Trombone Festival.