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Gary Tole

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, Gary Tole began playing the trombone at the age of twelve. By the age of sixteen, he was working with the all the shows that came into the Pittsburgh area. After attending Duquesne University School of Music, Gary was offered the first trombone position with the world renowned Glenn Miller Orchestra. After a four year world tour with the Miller organization, he toured with Harry James, Tex Beneke, Les Brown and Jimmy Dorsey.

In 1978, Gary relocated and made his permanent residence in Southern California. On stage as well as recording, Gary's smooth but dynamic style has placed him in constant demand with such stars as; Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, Bernadette Peters, Kenny Rogers, Rita Moreno, Melissa Manchester, James Ingram, and Phil Collins. He has been seen and heard on television backing more greats such as; Diana Ross, Sammy Davis, Bob Hope, Pia Zadora, Sheena Easton, Peabo Bryson, The Pointer Sisters, and many more. Gary has also spent numerous hours in the recording studios doing record sessions, TV film, jingles, and major motion picture sound tracks. In addition to trombone, Gary also plays bass trombone and euphonium.

As an active clinician for Yamaha, he finds time to participate in music education programs as a judge for jazz festivals, band and orchestra festivals, private teaching of the low brass instruments and traveling throughout the country conducting various clinics.

As road manager and featured trombonist with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Gary and the band have just completed a national tour of America with a salute to the Fabulous Dorsey brothers, featuring the world famous Pied Pipers. Gary performed for the King of Thailand on the millennium New Years Eve.

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Album Review

The Scott Whitfield Jazz Orchestra West: Postcards from Hollywood

Read "Postcards from Hollywood" reviewed by Jack Bowers


While many people have been excited or enraptured by the music scores accompanying Hollywood's most beloved films, few know (or perhaps even care) who wrote them. That's a shame, as these composers (and their contemporaries) were musical trailblazers whose names should be enshrined forever in the annals of artistic brilliance. One who does care is composer/arranger Scott Whitfield who has dedicated the latest album by his Jazz Orchestra West, Postcards from Hollywood, to their remarkable (and too-often overlooked) legacy.

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Trombonist Gary Tole leads a swinging big band, but its repertoire doesn't merely consist of the decades-old charts that offer nothing new. Although the music shows the influence of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Benny Goodman, the charts of the familiar songs from each of these band's books are updated for the 21st century, while never forgetting to swing. Drawing from a host of West Coast musicians, including fellow trombonist/arranger Scott Whitfield, pianist Bob Remstein, and multi-reed player Don Shelton, among others, Tole has assembled a band that brings life to each of these imaginative charts and incorporates lively solos

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Primary Instrument

Trombone

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

Call to make an appointment. 714-814-8886

Yamaha clinician

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Music

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