Ron Wilkins
Trombonist/vocalist/entertainer Ron Wilkins leads the Landing All-Stars and performs in the Small World Quintet. Audiences at the Landing and elswhere have thrilled to his exciting high-energy virtuosity on trombone, euphonium, and tuba, as well as his spectacular improvised jazz scat vocalizations and Louis Armstrong impressions.
Ron is a native of San Antonio, Texas and is a graduate of Theodore Roosevelt High School. He attended North Texas State University (now The University of North Texas) and later graduated from The University of Texas at San Antonio. While attending NTSU, Ron performed in the 2 O'clock Lab Band, the NTSU Jazz Singers, the College All-Star Big Band led by Clark Terry, and with Aretha Franklin at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, TX.
From 1981-1983, Ron was a Band Director in the San Antonio Catholic School system. In 1984, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and performed in the USAF Band of the West as lead/bass trombonist, principal euphonium, second tubist, and feature vocalist. From 1984-1993, Ron also worked as a substitute trombonist with the San Antonio Symphony and the Mid-Texas Symphony in Seguin, TX.
Ron's diversified career has led to performances with the San Antonio Festival Orchestra and the Victoria, TX Symphony. His Broadway show credits include Fiddler on the Roof, West Side Story, Showboat, Chicago, Man of La Mancha, and many others. Ron has also performed with Jerry Lewis, Bob Hope, Jimmy Stewart, Rich Little, Lena Horne, Rosemary Clooney, Dizzy Gillespie, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Coasters, and other well known entertainers/performers.
He currently is featured on two Small World CD's, Seasons of the Heart and Live at the Landing. Ron's first CD as leader, Ron Wilkins: A Tribute to the Masters, was released in March 2000.
As an educator, Ron has been Low Brass Instructor at St Mary's University, having taught private tenor/bass trombone, euphonium. and tuba methods, jazz improvisation, jazz combo, jazz voice; he was assistant director/feature soloist with the jazz ensemble, the faculty jazz quintet, and led the faculty brass quintet. Since 1994, he has been an Edwards Trombone Clinician and has performed at numerous jazz festivals across the country, including the Wichita Jazz Festival (where he was named outstanding jazz soloist), the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, and the New Mexico State University Jazz Fesitval.
When not performing at the Landing, Ron teaches private low brass and jazz improvisation in San Antonio, and happily lives with his wife, Rhonda and their two cats, Diogenes and Lippy.
Purchase Ron's new CD, Tribute to the Masters here.
