CHRIS GLASSMAN & THE TECHNOCATS ft. WALTER BLANDING

Hailed by International Trombone Journal as someone whose “ warm sound, beautiful phrasing, and ability to perform in various styles convincingly sets him apart as a truly exceptional musician”, Chris Glassman is a rising star jazz performer on bass trombone, Director of Jazz at Interlochen Center for the Arts, and Michigan based musician. He has performed and/or recorded with legendary musicians Michael Bublé, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Sarah McLachlan, Kurt Elling, Danilo Perez, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Rene Marie, Wayne Bergeron, Rodney Whitaker, Ulysses Owens Jr., and Etienne Charles among others.

Raised in Littleton, Colorado, Chris has been passionate and engaged in music since the age of five when he began learning drums from his father. He later transitioned into playing the trombone during grade school, and was enchanted with the instruments gorgeous sound, unique abilities, and outstanding universality. Glassman is deeply rooted in the classical tradition of trombone, having received his Bachelor’s in Classical Trombone Performance from the University of Denver. He went on to a Teaching Assistantship and Master’s in Jazz Studies at Michigan State University with legendary pedagogues Michael Dease and Rodney Whitaker. Between 2017-2019, during his Master’s, Chris was a finalist or won every international competition for jazz trombone in the United States, a feat which he accomplished on Bass Trombone nonetheless. He was also a finalist for the U.S. Army Blues Bass Trombone audition in 2017. Glassman capped off his time at MSU by receiving over $3000 in grant funding to create a free performance series designed to engage students age 5-12 in Jazz Music.

Since then, Chris hasn't let up, and most recently was appointed as Director of Jazz at the Interlochen Center for the Arts. Previously, Glassman toured with renowned vocalist Michael Bublé for his “Higher” world tour, including a performances at Madison Square Garden, and all throughout the U.S., U.K., South America, and Canada. He has given masterclasses at the University of North Texas, Ohio State University, Mary Hardin-Baylor University, New Trier Jazz Festival, and for Wisconsin All State Jazz, as well as being a featured guest artist performer at the International Trombone Festival, Midatlantic Jazz Festival, Summer Solstice Jazz Festival, Big Rapids Festival of the Arts, and other acclaimed festivals.