David Reid, MMus

David Reid is one of Canada’s most versatile and sought-after low brass musicians, active in a wide variety of musical genres on alto, tenor, bass and contrabass trombones as well as tuba and euphonium. Following an active youthful period as a pianist and brass band cornetist, he turned his attention to the trombone in 1980, joining the CPO in 1984 where he served for eighteen seasons as Assistant Principal (tenor) Trombonist prior to his appointment as Principal Bass Trombonist in 2002. From 2004 – 06, he took a leave of absence from the CPO, returning to his native city of St. John’s to serve as Professor of Low Brass at Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN).

Studies in music include the completion of performance diplomas (A.T.C.L. and L.T.C.L) in piano and cornet from Trinity College, London while still in his teens. He later attended MUN, University of Toronto and Indiana University, where he completed a Master’s degree in trombone performance. Principal teachers during this period were Gordon Sweeney, Ed Anderson and Dee Stewart. Since establishing his career in Calgary, he has participated in dozens of recordings in various genres, including many with the CPO, the critically acclaimed album by Albertasaurus Tuba Quartet and sessions on the albums of stylistically diverse artists such as Jann Arden, Steve Pineo, Tim Tamashiro and Heather Blush.

As a jazz musician, Dave can often be heard improvising solo spots at CPO “Pops” shows and was recently featured front of stage with guest artist Chantal Kreviazuk. He has been a regular member of Calgary’s Prime Time Big Band since 2001, a frequent guest performer and clinician at jazz workshops in and around the Calgary area, and when time permits, a club date player in small group settings. For 15 years, he was lead trombonist with the Grandstand Orchestra of the Calgary Stampede.

Recent freelance highlights include playing first trombone in the soundtracks for the Emmy-award-winning music featured in the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, and a Country Music Television production, Christmas at the Grand (also released on CD). He is a “first call” player for traveling professional Music Theatre productions on various low brass instruments, and has also worked extensively for Theatre Calgary in local musical productions.

Dave is married to CPO bassist, Trish Bereti Reid. Aside from their musical lives and the occasional escapes to ski in the Rockies, they’re kept busy raising their two young children and traveling as often as possible to their waterfront summer homes in Saskatchewan and Newfoundland.