Nick Finzer

PAY ATTENTION to the ENDS of your phrases... if it's SHORT play it SHORT! 😬

Finding inspiration from music that's not intended for trombone is a great way to push yourself to find new ways to express yourself on the horn!

The March edition of the Improviser's Insight newsletter is here!
Swipe over to see what it contains...

The new Improviser's Insight newsletter drops on the 1st, which is this Sunday, March 1st. 

Click here to get on the list before it drops: 
https://sendfox.com/lp/3e6n60

My approach to trombone articulation: articulate all the notes.
Other schools of thought exist. But we don't have valves or buttons. We have a slide. If you want to execute like a trumpet or saxophone, that difference matters more than people think.

Join us LIVE at 630PM (Central) 
for JTBN DAY FINALE! 
featuring Kalia Vandever! 

Presented by Bach & King Trombones
Butler Trombones
Greg Black Mouthpieces
Yamaha
BAC Musical Instruments
UNT College of Music

Watch Here: https://www.youtube.com/live/L59zi3SpPRo?feature=share

Join us from 12 pm - 5 PM Today for JTBN Day 2026! 
Presented by Bach & King Trombones
Butler Trombones
Greg Black Mouthpieces
Yamaha
BAC Musical Instruments
UNT College of Music

Full schedule at www.jtbnday.com
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/_pNvrOJq7oY

On this Valentine’s Day,
Discover how Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn reimagined Romeo and Juliet...

A love story told through orchestration, melody, and mood.
Jazz has always known how to speak from the heart.

TO DREAM A BIGGER DREAM

I wrote this tune as we were coming out of the pandemic... and speaks to the generation that lost their spark because of it... that fire and desire to reach for your biggest dreams...

The Guru doesn’t have all the answers.
The farther you go along the path, the more you realize there are more questions than answers.
That’s the moment you keep pushing forward and find them for yourself.

Live at Dizzy’s
The Jazz Orchestra Volume 1

NEW CHART DROP: We the People! (arr. Jack Courtright)
Now available on my store!
https://nickfinzer.store/collections/big-band-charts-1

The February edition of the Improviser's Insight is going out tomorrow (Feb 1)! 
You can sign up here: https://sendfox.com/lp/3e6n60 
so you don't miss it!

This is how to (and how not to) articulate the first phrase of "Anthropology" by Charlie Parker

There's not one RIGHT answer, but there are lot of ways that I would consider "not ideal" for expressing clarity of the phrase, the rhythm, and the swing!

Here’s a clip of my Jazz Orchestra digging into JJ Johnson’s “Say When” one of the most joyful and iconic tunes JJ wrote!

JJ Johnson drops real wisdom on developing your musical concept — inspired by Lester Young.
🎧 Full interview now on my YouTube!
#JJJohnsonCentennial #JazzTrombone #JazzLegends #TrombonePlayer #MusicalIdentity

Happy Birthday JJ Johnson! Drop a comment with your favorite JJ Track or Recording! 

To celebrate what would have been his 102nd birthday, I'm relaunching "LEGACY" 
https://found.ee/Finzer-Legacy-Extended

What mouthpiece did JJ Johnson play? 🎺
(King M21!)
Thanks to John Kalafas & Tom Everett for sharing this rare JJ interview — full vid on YouTube is a must-listen.
#JJJohnsonCentennial #JazzTrombone #TrombonePlayer #JazzHistory

“You never know who’s listening…” 👂
Hear the wild story of how Rufus Reid landed the gig with JJ Johnson! A true jazz history gem.
#JazzTrombone #JazzBass #RufusReid #JJJohnson #TromboneHistory #LegacyLivesOn

Celebrating JJ Johnson’s 102nd! 🎉
Check out my version of “Say When” — featuring legends who played with JJ: Lewis Nash, Renee Rosnes & Rufus Reid.
🎧 Now streaming: nickfinzermusic.com
#JJJohnsonCentennial #JazzTrombone #SayWhen

Kicking off JJ JOHNSON WEEK!
(his birthday is this week on January 22! Would have been 102 this year!) 
JJ Johnson talks about his SOUND!!!
It’s one of the greatest. 
Thanks to John Kalafas and Tom Everett for sharing this rarely heard JJ Johnson interview!

How important is the college you go to for a music career?

Very.
Not because of the name or the price tag—but because of your peer group.

Your peers push you, connect you, and shape your future in the scene.

New Big Band Chart - out today - Just Passed The Horizon!
It’s one of my favorites from the record. I always describe it as a blues… though not everyone agrees. That tension is kind of the point 😎

https://nickfinzer.store/collections/big-band-charts-1

Work/life balance is real… just not in the moment.
On the macro scale, balance matters.
But in the micro? If you want something done, obsession wins.
Zoom out. Sprint when needed. Recover later.

The year is rapidly drawing to a close... and there's BIG things coming in 2026! 
Including some new performances with the latest edition of the quartet featuring:
Liya Grigoryan (@liyagrigoryan.piano)
Guillermo Lopez (@g_more_11)
Jerome Gillespie II (@jeromegillespie_jr)

📸 by @austinkruczek 👌

Holiday vibes = ON 🎄
“Christmas Time Is Here” — full playlist on YouTube!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXD7328p4PAdOPexJ-5xbtVDJxToIRjg3

Throwback to ALL HYPE
from "The Chase" 
Now streaming on your favorite platforms
Ft. @glennzaleski right here!

Join me live on Monday Dec 22nd to wrap up 2025 with a Q&A - ASKNICK! 1PM EST

Here: https://youtube.com/live/0FTMK7DB98w?feature=share

Grateful for my first opportunity to perform at the @themidwestclinic last week! 
It was great to share the stage with the fantastic @shah_relle and @dr.aileenrazey
I even got to run into my 8th Grade Band Teacher - Ms. Beth Fabrizio!
Get some R&R this holiday season... !!!

Trying to stay on the nice list… so here’s some trombone Christmas spirit 😇🎄
“Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” — full holiday playlist below!

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXD7328p4PAdOPexJ-5xbtVDJxToIRjg3

Nothing says “Happy Holidays” like a wall of trombones 😎🎄
NYC’s finest slid through to help me bring “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” to life.

Full vibes + more holiday music on the YouTube playlist!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXD7328p4PAdOPexJ-5xbtVDJxToIRjg3