Reflecting on the International Trombone Festival

Fred spent the last five days of June communing with more than 900 other trombonists at the International Trombone Association's annual International Trombone Festival, hosted this year by Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, where he was born 70 years ago at Fort Benning.

Distinguished participants included Wycliffe Gordon, Alex Iles, Mike Dease and many others, including many talented students. Special thanks to festival director Jon Bohls and ITA board member Tom Plsek, the Joe Gransden Big Band, and the hard-working rhythm section featuring pianist Louis Heriveaux, drummer Paul Vaillancourt and bassist Bill Grimes.

Enjoy these photos from the week. Special thanks to photographer Stephen Hoy of Warner Robins, Georgia, for the first two.

Fred, Wycliffe and Alex with the big band (photo by Stephen Hoy)

Alex, Fred and Greg Waits at Late Night Jazz (photo by Stephen Hoy)

Rehearsing with the big band

Heading to the first jam session

With Tom Plsek and Alex Iles

With Jon Bohls

Onstage with the big band

Enjoying Mike Dease

Blowing with Mike

Recital rehearsal with Louis, Bill and Paul

With young trombonist Antonie Swaim

With the big band trombone section

With Mitch Butler

With Paul, Bill and Louis

Workshop, with the rhythm section, Antonie and son Victor Wesley