Rick Faulkner

Trombonist and composer Rick Faulkner has made a reputation for himself on the New York City jazz and world music scenes for his rich, expansive sound, no-holds-barred playing style and infectious, soulful compositions.   His musical experience ranges from traditional jazz and bebop to salsa, Latin jazz, Haitian compas, Brazilian choro, klezmer, bluegrass, and more.  As a freelancer, he has performed and/or recorded with such artists as Max Roach, David Murray, Wallace Roney, Pucho and his Latin Soul Brothers, Guided by Voices, and Grammy Award-nominee Juan Carlos Formell.  From 1992-1998 he was a member of the legendary ska band the Toasters, touring internationally and recording three CDs.  He co-founded the critically-acclaimed New York Ska Jazz Ensemble (featured in Down Beat and JAZZIZ magazines) and appeared with them at the Montreal Jazz Festival and the North Sea Jazz Festival, among others.

As a composer and arranger, Rick has contributed numerous pieces to recordings by a wide range of artists, and to television and film soundtracks. Every Saturday for more than twenty years, radio listeners heard his trombone and arrangement in the theme music for “Que Viva la Musica” on WFDU. His work has been performed by Michael Brecker, John Scofield, Bobby Sanabria’s Multiverse Big Band, and the Vermont Philharmonic.  Rick has also published many pieces for both professional and student ensembles, which have been played at schools and colleges all over the country.

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