Nat Wickham’s first musical inspirations were experienced in his childhood home where both parents were professional performers and music teachers, and all four siblings have enjoyed professional careers in music. Today, Wickham is a dynamic trombonist who enjoys a career as a classical and jazz solo artist, recording artist, clinician, adjudicator and educator, and performs throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe.
As a classical artist he performs a wide variety of solo repertoire in recitals and is frequently featured as guest soloist with professional, university and high school orchestras, wind bands and jazz bands. He was the first-ever soloist with the Ensemble Henri Tomasi in Marseille, France for their inaugural concert. In addition to his solo career, he is Associate Principal/2nd trombonist with the Fort Collins Symphony, and was Principal Trombonist with the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra for 23 seasons which included several performances as featured soloist. Wickham has also performed with the Colorado Symphony, Colorado Ballet, Rochester Philharmonic, Colorado Music Festival, Spokane Symphony, and Boulder Philharmonic Orchestras, the Denver Municipal Band, the Boulder Brass, and for two years he was principal trombonist with the Rochester Broadway Theater League.
Wickham’s work as a jazz artist encompasses the entire spectrum in the genre. Having been resident jazz trombonist and trombone pedagogue at Jazz en Vercors in France, he has toured France on four occasions, performing in major jazz venues and conducting educational workshops. He is currently lead trombonist and jazz soloist in the Colorado Jazz Orchestra, and is in demand as a jazz trombonist throughout the United States, performing and recording with numerous big bands, as well as being invited to be guest soloist with university and high school jazz bands. For six years he was lead trombonist and soloist in the Bob Curnow Big Band and has performed with the Woody Herman Orchestra, Natalie Cole, the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, and numerous other jazz artists. With collaborating artist, Steve Kovalcheck, their trombone/guitar jazz duo has performed at the International Trombone Festival and the Big 12 Trombone Conference, and at local venues and festivals.
Currently, Wickham is Professor of Music at the University of Northern Colorado, where he has developed a diverse studio of trombone, bass trombone and euphonium students. Many from his studio have won positions in professional orchestras, military bands and jazz bands, and have been appointed to university and K-12 music teaching positions. His trombone and euphonium studio at UNC includes bachelors, masters and doctoral students in both classical and jazz emphases as well as in music education. Under his baton, UNC trombone ensembles have performed at the International Trombone Festival in Nashville, the Eastern Trombone Workshop in Washington, DC, and the Big 12 Trombone Conference in Lubbock, TX.
Wickham has served on the Board of Directors for the International Trombone Association and is a frequent performer at International Trombone Association Festivals. He also served on the Resource Team for the International Association for Jazz Education. He holds the Doctor of Musical Arts and the Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. His Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in trombone performance are from the University of Northern Colorado. He has studied trombone with John Marcellus, Buddy Baker, Carl Lobitz and Roy Main. Jazz improvisation and composition teachers have included Buddy Baker, Ramon Ricker, Jiggs Whigham, Bill Dobbins and David Hanson. Prior to his appointment at UNC, Wickham taught at the Eastman School of Music, Eastern Washington University, Central Michigan University, and the University of Wisconsin at River Falls.
Nat is available for hire for events and private lessons.
To inquire, please contact him directly at nat.wickham@gmail.com
