Brett Johnson

Brett Johnson began his studies on the trombone and piano at the age of 10. He soon continued his trombone studies under the tutelage of Dr. Russell Widener, principal trombone of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra. Brett currently attends Northwestern University where he is pursuing degrees in both Jazz Studies and Trombone Performance. His primary teachers include Michael Mulcahy, Charlie Vernon, Peter Ellefson, and Elliot Mason.

Brett has attended Yale's Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, the Symphony Orchestra Academy of the Pacific, and the Stanford Jazz Workshop in addition to a number of other seminars. Equally at home in many styles, Brett regularly performs around the Chicago-land area with ensembles ranging from classical music to jazz and hip-hop. He often performs with new music ensemble Dal Niente, has performed with the Apollo Chorus of Chicago, and has performed with Rotini and the Rainmakers as the opening act for N*E*R*D and The Decemberists. Brett has collaborated with members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.

An avid sports fan, Brett enjoys watching the Jayhawks (University of Kansas Basketball team). He also enjoys listening to music, playing tennis and has recently begun learning the viola.