TJC Jazz Festival features trombonist Robin Eubanks

Published 8:36 am Thursday, March 5, 2020

Robin Eubanks is the guest clinician and performer at the TJC Jazz Festival. 

Robin Eubanks, a Grammy Award-winning trombonist who has collaborated with musical greats Barbra Streisand and the Rolling Stones among others, will be the guest artist and clinician at Tyler Junior College’s 16th annual Jazz Festival.

He will share his knowledge and performance skills with young musicians from area schools today and Friday in the auditorium at Whitehouse High School, 901 E. Main St., Whitehouse 

Eubanks is a Yamaha Trombone Performing Artist and former professor of jazz trombone and jazz composition at The Oberlin College Conservatory.

The festival will include music clinics and performances by jazz bands from area middle schools, high schools and universities throughout the day on both days. At the conclusion of each school group’s performance, the students will receive feedback from Eubanks.

All of the performances are free and open to the public.



At 7:30 p.m. both days, Eubanks will give a free concert with the TJC Jazz Ensembles in Whithehouse High School’s auditorium. Also taking the stage will be  jazz pianist, George Faber, of Tyler.

“It’s always a big thrill for us to bring someone of Robin’s caliber to come and work with our students,” said Heather Mensch, TJC music department chair and professor of low brass. Mensch is also director of TJC Jazz Ensemble 1.

“The students get an idea of what it’s like to be a real, working musician by learning from someone who’s spent years in the profession, honing his craft,” she said.

TJC Jazz Ensemble 1 students and their hometowns are: Blane Benson, Longview; Jared Cockrum, Tyler; Collin Damskov, Tyler; Andrew Fitzgerald, Forney; Collin Hill, Lindale; Zach Holcek, Tyler; Jordan Juarez, Lufkin; Faustino Lara, Palestine; Uriel Martinez, Jacksonville; Patrick McClain, Lindale; Cameron Miller, Tyler; Dustin Nino, Rusk; Parker Phillips, New Diana; Parker Rathbun, Tyler; Kaylen Rhodes, Springtown; Mark Simmons, Houston; Austin Stanberry, Rockwall; and Jace Thomas, Chandler.

Micah Bell, TJC music professor, directs TJC Jazz Ensemble 2.

TJC Jazz Ensemble 2 students and their hometowns are: Joshua Anschutz, Lindale; Isaac Bernardo, Kaufman; Hayden Bethany, Mansfield; Jared Cockrum, Tyler; Marli Dority, North Lamar; Dakota Epps, Marshall; Anthony Gutierrez, Tyler; Lupe Hernandez, Tyler; Sebastian Hernandez, Marshall; Sam Hicks, North Richland Hills; Collin Hill, Lindale; David Holcomb, Tyler; Uriel Martinez, Jacksonville; Patrick McClain, Lindale; Dustin Nino, Rusk; Joshua Phakvang, Anna; and Rylee Risner, Canton.

Today, Whitehouse High School Auditorium

• 9 a.m.: Three Lakes Middle School

• 10 a.m.: Beckville High School

• 11 a.m.: Redwater HS

• 1 p.m.: Hallsville HS

• 2 p.m.: Sulphur Springs HS

• 3 p.m.: McKinney Boyd HS

• 4 p.m.: LeTourneau University

7:30 p.m.: TJC Jazz Ensembles

Friday, Whitehouse High School Auditorium

• 9 a.m.: Boulter MS

• 10 a.m.: Chapel Hill HS

• 11 a.m.: Robert E. Lee HS #1

• 1 p.m.: Robert E. Lee HS #2

• 2 p.m.: Brownsboro HS

• 3 p.m.: Moore MST Magnet School

• 4 p.m. Whitehouse HS

7:30 p.m.: TJC Jazz Ensembles