J.J. Johnson Jazz Trombone Competition

For trombonists ages 25 and under - birth date of January 1, 1986 or later

First Prize - Rath Jazz Trombone, donated by Michael Rath Trombones, Ltd.

General Rules and Requirements

Additional Rules

  • Sound file must be recorded with a live rhythm section (minimum 2 members).
  • Choruses must be improvised and not read.
  • Jazz band cuts are not allowed.
  • Past winners of the J.J. Johnson Jazz Trombone Competitions are not eligible in the 2012 Johnson Jazz Trombone Competition.
  • Each sound file must be labeled as follows: JJ_Title of Song_Your ITA ID. No.
    Example: JJ_Oleo_1234 (Always use underscore _ instead of space)

Preliminary & Final Round Repertoire

Items must be recorded in the order listed below

  • Six to eight (6 - 8) choruses of blues (including the melody); or Four to five (4 - 5) choruses of a "rhythm" tune (changes of I've Got Rhythm (Examples: Oleo, Scrapple From the Apple, etc.) It is the player's choice to play one or two choruses of melody.
  • Four to six (4 - 6) choruses of any composition (except 'blues') composed by J.J. Johnson (including the melody). It is the player's choice to play one or two choruses of melody.
  • An original composition by the performer
    IMPORTANT NOTE: It is the player's choice to play the melody at the end of one or both of the two items (after the improvisation), so long as the maximum number choruses is not exceeded.

Past Winners

J.J. Johnson/Rath

Year Winner School
2005 Roland Barber Manhattan School of Music
2006 Michael Dease Juilliard School of Music

ITA/Rath Previous Winners

Year Winner School
2007 Kevin Cerovich University of Missouri-Kansas City

J.J. Johnson Previous Winners

Year Winner School
2008 Joe McDonough Temple University
2009 Robbie Harvey Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London
2010 Nate Kimball University of Nevada-Las Vegas graduate
2011 Adam Machaskee Rutgers University