Linda Landis – Trombone

Linda is excited to be the lead trombonist of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra. She is a graduate of Morehead State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education where she studied with Dr. Earle L. Louder and Robert Jorgensen. While still at MSU, Linda was a member of Clark Terry’s All-Girl All-Stars at the Wichita Jazz Festival. Linda has enjoyed a diverse career as a freelance musician and private teacher for over 35 years, and spent 19 years in the banking industry as a Commercial Loan Operations Specialist while continuing to freelance and teach.

Linda is the former lead trombonist of the Dayton Jazz Orchestra, Vaughn Wiester’s Famous Jazz Orchestra, New Remnants Dance Orchestra and vocalist for the Roland Dill Orchestra. Currently, Linda is low brass specialist at Hadley E. Watts Middle School in Centerville, a member of the Columbus Broadway Series Orchestra and the principal trombonist and a featured soloist of the Piqua Civic Band where she performs the solos of Arthur Pryor, Herbert L. Clarke, and J. B. Arban. For over 20 years Linda was a member of the Piqua Players Community Theatre where in addition to playing in the pit, she served as conductor for Crazy For You and A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum. In 2006, Linda led a successful clinic entitled “Telling Your Story Through Jazz Improvisation” at the trombone camp Summer Bones 2006.

Starting out as the lead trombonist for Swing ’76 led to a long affiliation with the Frank Neville Orchestras and eventual playing opportunities with Ernie Krivda’s Fat Tuesday Big Band, the Phil Giordano Jazz Orchestra, Harry James Orchestra, Guy Lombardo Orchestra, and Jake and Elwood, to name a few. In the 1980s Linda worked six nights a week as a trombonist and vocalist, as well as doubling on trumpet, flute, and arranging. More recently, Linda traveled to Europe with Sherrie Maricle and the DIVA Jazz Orchestra to perform at jazz festivals in Germany and Croatia.

Linda has worked with many of the music industry’s top artists including Diana Ross, Diane Reeves, Leslie Gore, Van Dells, David Benoit, the Temptations, John Clayton, Manhattan Transfer, Maureen McGovern, Maurice Hines, Maria Schneider, Yes, and scores of others.

In addition to the CJO’s The Colors of Jazz, Linda has recorded with Pam Noah, Rob McPherson, New Remnants Dance Orchestra, the Sinclair Wind Symphony, Famous Jazz Orchestra, and as a vocalist with Swing Era Dance Orchestra. In 2008, to honor Linda’s 35 years of service, the Piqua Civic Band released a live CD of solos entitled Linda Landis, Trombone Artist Extraordinaire.

Aside from music, Linda helps her mother run the family farm, enjoys sunny days, fishing, biking, good books, great music, watching old movies, and trying to master Finale.

“I am thrilled that Linda has joined the CJO as our lead trombonist,” said Robert Breithaupt, JAG Executive Director. “Not only is she a superb musician, but she is a fantastic role model for all young women who wish to successfully compete in a business that has been dominated by men.”