Luis Bonilla

“As for his resounding identity as a trombonist, it’s not enough to say his sound is personal”.

Nat Hentoff
If ever an artist could be called an octopus, multi Grammy winner Luis Bonilla is it. The California raised, Costa Rican trombonist, composer and arranger has sought out, taken in and mastered an incredible array of musical styles. His success as a performer with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, McCoy Tyner, Dizzy Gillespie, Lester Bowie, Phil Collins, The Skatalites, Tom Harrell, Freddie Hubbard, Bebo Valdez, Alejandro Sanz, Dave Douglas, Astrud Gilberto and Willie Colon attests not only to the skill and variety of Bonilla’s talent, but also to a mind restlessly committed to exploring some of the most complex and demanding music of our time. Critics have praised his six releases as a solo artist. Mr. Bonilla’s dominating ability to give voice to radically different musical sensibilities with an ease and seamlessness belies the rigor and sophistication of the music. Bonilla has an intuitive sense in how to bring out the best in those working with him. Based in New York City for nearly three decades, Luis continues being one of the most sought after international educators and performers of his generation.

Winner of Downbeat’s Rising Star 2010 & 2011. Downbeats’ Readers Poll 2012

Field of Study:
Trombone Jazz performance and composition
Degrees:
BM, California State University, Los Angeles

MM, Manhattan School of Music