Omaha Performing Arts
A true craftsperson hones freedom and creativity from the staid traditions of everyday life. Trombonist Shawn Bell exemplifies this creed. His omnivorous playing and writing have been called “soulful” and “captivatingly quirky.” While Jazz has been the driving force of Bell’s training and education, he has earned a reputation as a dynamic journeyman always ready to “play the gig” at hand. This commitment to making music not bound by the doctrine of a single style or genre has given Bell a unique voice as a musician, composer, and educator.
Shawn holds degrees in Jazz studies from Western Michigan University and Northern Illinois University. During his time in school, he was selected to participate in the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead Residency program at the Kennedy Center and was a finalist in the Eastern Trombone Workshop’s Jazz trombone competition.
In 2010, Bell released his debut album Things Yet Unknown to critical acclaim. The Midwest Record Review noted, “Solid playing and writing, a great tone and a young, untamed spirit all team up to make this a delightfully auspicious debut.” JazzTimes’s website stated, “To find a young trombonist like Shawn with this level of command and virtuosity is amazing.” Additionally, Bell has played with many luminaries in the Jazz realm, including Curtis Fuller, Benny Golson, Bobby McFerrin, Bob Mintzer, and Paquito D’Rivera. Shawn is also an in-demand commercial trombonist and can be heard playing in pit orchestras, pop groups, and recording sessions throughout the Midwest.
As an educator, Shawn has over ten years of experience as a brass and Jazz instructor. He operates Bell Tone Brass Studio in Omaha, Nebraska and is a sought after Jazz clinician throughout the region. In addition to his freelance teaching, Shawn has also taught trombone, music theory, and songwriting at Northern Illinois University and Lansing Community College. Elements of his approach to leading large Jazz ensembles can be found in the 2016 book Teaching Music through Performance in Jazz: Volume 2.
Bell has recently partnered with non-profit Omaha Performing Arts to launch the Omaha Academy of Jazz. This organization provides in-school Jazz clinics and music educator workshops to students and teachers throughout the Omaha metro area. Additionally, OAJ will host an honors Jazz band for middle school students.
shawn@shawnbellmusic.com