Dr. Doug S. Bristol
Professional Biography
Trombonist and composer Doug Bristol is Professor of Music Theory and Technology at Alabama State University where he teaches courses in theory and ear training; low brass; technology; composition/arranging; and jazz.
Doug earned the B.M. in studio music and jazz from the University of Tennessee, M.M. in trombone performance from Georgia State University, and the Doctor of Arts in Theory and Composition from the University of Northern Colorado with a secondary emphasis in Jazz Pedagogy. A versatile and active composer, his compositions and arrangements have been performed for national and international audiences. His jazz compositions and arrangements have been recorded by the University of North Texas One O’clock Lab Band and the University of Northern Colorado Lab Band One. Many of Doug’s jazz works are regularly performed at jazz concerts and festivals. His Fantasy for Euphonium and Orchestra (2004) appears on the Summit Records label and has been performed in Puerto Rico, Norway, and across the United States. In 2003, his Five Miniatures for Tenor Saxophone, Trombone, and Piano premiered at the World Saxophone Congress in Minneapolis, MN. Other works have been performed at the Eastern Trombone Workshop, International Trombone Festival, International Association of Jazz Education Conference, and the College Music Society Southern Regional Conferences. His compositions and arrangements are published by UNC Jazz Press, TAP Music, International Trombone Association Manuscript Press, and Tuba-Euphonium Press.
Doug is an active trombonist performing with artists such as The O’Jays, Temptations, Mary Wilson, Ray Charles, Shirley Jones, Randy Brecker, Cleveland Eaton, Steve Ellington, and Denyce Graves. He is a founding member of the trombone quartet, Quatuor du Sud, the Magnolia Brass Quintet, and the Alabama Tuba/Euphonium Quartet. Other performances include work with the Mobile Opera Orchestra, Montgomery Symphony Orchestra, musicals at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Music South Symphony Orchestra, and CDs with the New South Jazz Orchestra and composer Monroe Golden.
Personal Biography Notes
Born May 19, 1961 in Ogdensburg, New York. The same day as this Miles Davis recording.
Moved to Athens, Georgia in the mid-60s and to Jackson, Georgia in 1970.
Started music in 7th grade band playing drums, E-flat alto horn, and French horn. In the 8th grade switched to trumpet.
High School band director was Bill Moore, father of Atlanta Symphony tubist Michael Moore.
While in high school, I lettered in golf, wrestling, and track. During my senior year I was 3rd in the regional golf tournament, 3rd in the state pole vaulting meet and made it to the semifinals of the state wrestling tournament.
Braces in 1977. Switched to euphonium with braces but continued trying to play trumpet, without much success.
Corrective jaw surgery in 1978.
Graduated from Jackson High School, Jackson, Georgia in 1979.
Went to the University of Tennessee on a band scholarship (played euphonium in the honor bands 1978-79 at Tennessee) and continued to attempt to play trumpet.
Switched to valve trombone in 1981 and to slide trombone in 1982.
Worked at the 1982 World's Fair in Knoxville playing trombone in the official band sponsored by the DuPont Company.
Worked a couple of cruise ships, on and off, from 1986-90.
E-mail:
Doug@bristolnotes.com
Rina@bristolnotes.com
DOCTORAL DISSERTATION:
The Composition and Analysis of a New Fantasy for Euphonium and Orchestra with Analysis of Jan Bach's Concerto for Euphonium and Orchestra
My equipment:
Large Tenor Trombone - S.E. Shires .547 bore; Mouthpiece - Giddings & Webster KadjaSmall Tenor Trombone -Edwards .500-.508 dual bore; Mouthpiece - Doug Elliott D4 with 101N gold plated rim
Euphonium - Yamaha 642S euphonium; Mouthpiece - Doug Elliott I8 with 100 silver rim and I will occasionally use the Elliott F8
Teachers that have had the greatest impact on my playing and teaching:
Buddy Baker - University of Northern Colorado
Don Hough - University of Tennessee
Jerry Coker - University of Tennessee
Harry Maddox - Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (former principal)
Steve Wolfinbarger (while at North Texas)