Dr. Thomas J Ball is one of only a handful of jazz euphoniumists regularly recording as a leader or sideman in the world. He has been a freelance trombonist and euphoniumist since 1990 and currently resides in the Denver Colorado area and is an active member of the Denver performing and recording scene. Dr. Ball has been teaching privately in the Denver area since 1995 and has taught at Adams State College, the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Northern Colorado.
Currently, Dr. Ball is the Jazz Trombone Instructor at the University of Denver Lamont School of Music and teaches music in the Colorado public school system. His assertive, bluesy trombone style has made him much in demand in local Latin and jazz ensembles. He has played trombone (and euphonium) with many groups in the Denver area including The Legacy Jazz Orchestra, La Candela, The University of Denver Faculty Jazz Combo, Denver Municipal Band, Fred Hess Big Band, Conjunto Colores, Ninth and Lincoln Orchestra, Chie Imazumi Orchestra, and Wil Swinder's Elevenet. His debut CD as a leader, Fishleather Jacket, won the 2006 Roger Bobo Excellence in Recording Award.
Tom Ball earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Trombone Performance from Berklee College of Music, a Master of Music in Trombone Performance from the University of Colorado, and a Doctor of Arts in Trombone Performance/Pedagogy with a secondary emphasis in Jazz Pedagogy degree from the University of Northern Colorado. Past teachers include Hal Crook, Rich Matteson, Bill Standley, Nat Wickham, and Phil Wilson.
Dr. Ball has performed on more than 20 CD releases and has toured Canada, the Caribbean, and every state in the continental U.S. He has performed with many diverse groups and artists including Bob Stewart, the Pueblo Symphony, Rashid Ali, David S. Ware, Ravi Coltrane, David Murray, George Garzone and The Fringe, Manhattan Transfer, The Jimmy Dorsey Band and Tommy Dorsey Band. Mr. Ball has performed at prestigious events and locations including the Blue Note in NYC, Red Rocks Amphitheater, and the Kansas City Jazz and Blues Festival.