Daniel Morris began playing trombone at age 11 in 6th grade in Fruita, Colorado, switching to bass trombone his freshman year of high school. He gained valuable experience playing in various ensembles, including jazz, concert, marching, youth orchestras, and musicals. In 2004, Mr. Morris began his studies at Colorado Mesa University in trombone performance. During his time there, he studied trombone and tuba with Dr. Sean Flanigan, jazz with Dr. Darin Kamstra, and conducting with Dr. Calvin Hofer. His studies at CMU afforded him the chance to play in master classes and performances with many guest artists, including Dr. Eric Ewazen, The Memphis Brass Quintet, Dr. Robert Spring, Lisa Pegher, Patrick Sheridan, The Brubeck Brothers Quartet, Dr. Brian Bowman, Larry Zalkind, Dr. John Tuinstra, and The Boston Brass Quintet. Annual studies with John Rojak of the American Brass Quintet, as well as lessons with Joe Alessi, Blair Bollinger, Warren Deck, Randy Hawes, Jim Markey, Mick Mulcahy and Charles Vernon have refined his bass trombone techniques.
Mr. Morris currently plays bass trombone for the Denver Philharmonic, the Colorado Mahlerfest Orchestra, and the Colorado Brass. He had the honor of touring as a bass trombonist with Tim Zimmerman and the King’s Brass in the 2015-2016 season, performing over 120 shows across America and South Korea. For four summers he has attended the prestigious Gene Pokorny Low Brass Seminar in Redlands, California, where he has worked with members of the Chicago, Detroit, and San Francisco symphonies, as well as the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Mr. Morris had the honor of commissioning and premiering the brass band arrangement of Johan de Meij’s Canticles with the Colorado Brass and has commissioned two pieces by Timothy Higgins. Dan is the Show Manager for Giddings Mouthpieces and an Influential Educator for Courtois Trombones. He is also a member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) and has over a decade of stage management experience. |