THE CANNONBALL^® FAMILY

JAMES DABONE

"It was at Winter NAMM 2017 that I first realized Cannonball made trombones. I had seen and heard Cannonball horns before and the visual beauty was only surpassed by their tonal purity, so needless to say I was very excited to hear what their trombones had to offer.

When I began talking to the people at the booth I realized that this is much more than just a horn company. This is a family owned business of passionate and dedicated master craftsmen that take what they do very seriously. When I explained the styles of music I played I was handed the silver plated jazz trombone. I was blown away! The notes practically fell right out of the bell! the resistance was great, the action was fluid, and the tone was perfectly jazzy.

I have been a Jazz trombonist since I started 16 years ago. Having been a player of older models I’ve tonal quality that I needed. The first time I picked up that cannonball, everything changed. I knew that I was holding an instrument that was tonally excellent, reliable and that would finally allow me to express myself without limitation.

I would love more than anything to represent cannonball as a brand, and bring attention to the amazing line of trombones that you as a company have masterfully crafted. At every show that I’m asked “what’s the best trombone you’ve ever played?” my answer is always: Cannonball." ~ James Dabone

BIO

“Keep your ears open and your musical mind yearning for more” - Greg Nielsen

“One of the best trombone players I've ever heard” - Victory Wooten

James Johnes AKA James Dabone is a Sarasota native and founding member of Ari and the Alibis. Greg Nielson was James’ middle school band instructor. He saw the potential in James and dedicated his time via free private lessons to help James develop the technique needed to become a professional. James continued studying the trombone throughout high school and began gigging at age 16.

James has performed and recorded with many artists, most notably Ben Hammond, Alexander Star, Gary Casten, Marc Solomon and his group Ari and the Alibis. Through his work with Ari and the Alibis he has played many festivals, concerts and clubs all over the US and will be performing at a concert in Canada this July. The bands performance at this years Winter NAMM lead to an endorsement deal with Sennheiser that is one of the biggest they have signed with a non national act. This contract will be opening many doors for the group in the months and years to come. The official press release will come out this March.

James’ passion and vision have lead him to find a new place for the trombone in modern music. Not only is he the prominent lead player but his use of effects allows him to create sonic landscapes that capture the emotions of the songs. This door he has opened has brought many new people to the appreciation of the trombone and expanded their minds of what it is capable of.

Visit James Dabone's official Website. ×

DANDRICK GLENN

"My Cannonball trombones are tonally excellent and a joy to play! These trombones are free blowing, efficient, and respond very well throughout the registers. No matter the performance situation, I can depend on these instruments to fully express myself. Kudos to the Cannonball team for making fantastic trombones!" ~ Dandrick Glen

BIO

Originally from Shelby, North Carolina, Dandrick Glenn is a versatile bass and tenor trombonist trained in both classical and jazz idioms. He credits his mother's singing in the church choir as his first and greatest musical influence.

Dandrick enjoys a diverse career as a performer and educator. He is the Professor of Low Brass at Fayetteville State University. Dandrick also serves as a low brass musician with the 553rd Air National Guard Band of the Northeast He also served as a bass and tenor trombonist with the Band of USAF Reserve, USAF Band of the Pacific-Asia, and the USAF Heritage of America Band. Throughout his Air Force band career, Dandrick has performed for numerous foreign and American dignitaries including Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

In the classical genre, Dandrick also performed with the North Carolina Symphony, North Carolina Theatre, Opera Roanoke, and Winston-Salem Symphony. As a commercial/jazz musician, Dandrick has shared the stage with Celine Dion, Johnny Mathis, Ce Ce Winans, Randy Brecker, Ernie Watts, Rene' Marie, and other artists. He has also performed with the Kelly Rossum Modern Big Band, the North Carolina Jazz Repertory Orchestra, and the Ian Charlton Big Band.

Dandrick holds the BM degree from the University of North Carolina, the MM from Norfolk State University, and currently is pursuing the DMA degree in Trombone Performance at UNCG as a Minerva Scholar. His primary instructors include Charles Vernon, Mark Fisher, Michael Kris, Paul Adams, and Dr. Randy Kohlenberg.

Dandrick is a performing artist and clinician for Cannonball Musical Instruments. He exclusively performs on Greg Black Mouthpieces.

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ANDRE HAYWARD

BIO

Andre Hayward is an extremely gifted trombonist with the sound and clarity reminiscent of the late J.J. Johnson. His gospel-tinged approach is refreshing and will warm the hearts of anyone who is blessed to know him. Born in Houston, Texas in 1973, Hayward's first exposure to the world of music was through his parents, Melvin and Barbara Hayward where musical talent existed on both sides. Hayward began playing trombone and tuba at the age of 11 under the tutelage of Leon Schreiber and two years later with Bob Odneal who was lead trumpeter for Maynard Ferguson. Hayward continued playing through high school where he attended the High School for Performing and Visual Arts under the direction of notable jazz educator, Robert "Doc" Morgan. He continued to hone his skills with Houston's legendary educator, Conrad O. Johnson. It was Conrad's instruction, and the opportunity to work in his big band, "The Big Blue Sound", where he really started to gain experience working in an ensemble. He landed his first engagement with trumpeter Roy Hargrove for a European tour after being heard at a jam session during a festival while playing with the Texas Southern University Jazz Ensemble. After Hargrove, Hayward performed and recorded with singer/bandleader Betty Carter for five years in her acclaimed "Jazz Ahead" program. Andre is a monster trombonist of the highest order. He was the winner of the 2003 Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz International Trombone Competition, held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, DC. After which he was a member of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra in NYC for number of years. Hayward taught at New York University, the New England Conservatory, and New York's New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music. Michigan State's renowned jazz program also counted him an educator. Not surprisingly, he joined UT's Butler School of Music for three years upon moving to Austin. After that, he became an adjunct professor at the University of North Texas, and currently teaches at Austin's nonprofit New School of Music.

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