David Oliver's Bio

David Oliver

I attended the University of Colorado at Denver at night for many years and obtained a B.S. in Electrical Engineering in 1997 while in my mid-30's. I started playing the trombone again at that time after not playing for 17 years, initially joining the Boulder Concert Band and playing with them for 2 years under the direction of Tom Caneva. Due to the Boulder tie-in, Allan McMurray (CU-Boulder Director of Bands) sometimes conducted the BCB. Eventually, I branched into bass trombone as well, and joined the Denver Concert Band. I was in the DCB for 8 years. I also played bass trombone in Swing Incorporated (Denver based rehearsal big band) for about 6 years, as well as the Colorado Jazz Workshop for around 3 years.

Now I play bass trombone in a community symphony, the Broomfield Symphony Orchestra. I've also been rehearsing with a local trombone choir called "Too Many Trombones" when I have the available time. Brighton Jazz is another jazz band that I've just become involved with.

I've substituted in a brass quintet and other groups such as the Colorado Wind Ensemble on tenor trombone. I took trombone lessons every two or three weeks with Bill Stanley at the University of Colorado for a couple of years around 2000, and also learned a great deal from being on the "trombone" email list in its early years.

I'm also re-learning bass guitar after firting with it in high school and a bit after that. I'm desperately trying to keep the number of bass guitars I own less than the trombones I've acquired since I returned to playing again. The 5-string banjo has also recently joined the list of instruments to try and learn.

I've lived in the Denver area in Colorado since summer 1985 after living in central Florida for about 2 1/2 years in the early 80's, and was born and raised in the Chicago area in the 60's and 70's.

I really enjoy playing in the various musical groups during the week. The most important things are to have fun and never stop learning and trying to improve. One of the last skills to get down is to be a good listener in order to make sure you fit in well with the rest of the ensemble, no matter how large it is (recording yourself and/or your group is a great tool). Only perfect practice makes perfect! (Vince Lombardi).