James Burton III, trombonist, composer, arranger and educator is among a new wave of musicians hitting the NYC jazz scene with an expressive sound, steeped in the tradition. James is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Jackie McLean’s Institute for Jazz Studies, and the Juilliard Jazz Studies program. During this time he was a student of world-renowned trombonists Steve Davis and Wycliffe Gordon, as well as jazz luminary, Jackie McLean. James has performed alongside many great jazz artists, the likes of which have included Illinois Jacquet, James Moody, Frank Wess, Jimmy Heath, Slide Hampton, Herbie Hancock, Jon Faddis, Eric Alexander, the Ray Charles Orchestra, the Duke Ellington Orchestra, the Count Basie Orchestra, the Lionel Hampton Orchestra, the Dizzy Gillespie All Star Big Band, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, and the Roy Hargrove Big Band. In addition to his musical credits, James has appeared in the major motion picture Bolden, as well as a nation wide television ad campaign for Grey Goose vodka. Now, on a more serious note, James played college football at Stony Brook, and to this day can still run the 400m in under a minute and bench press over 300 lbs. He would also like it to be known publicly that he has the most basketball skills of any active jazz musicians in the NYC metropolitan area, and is willing to defend that claim, anytime, anywhere. The Juilliard cats know what I'm talking about. Lace up and bring your -A- game...
