University of North Texas Jazz Trombone Studio

01/13/2026

FINALIST ANNOUNCEMENT:

We are very excited to announce our three Finalists for the UNT JTBN Day Competition:

(In alphabetical order)
Miles Cole
David Mosko
DJ Rice

We’re so excited that JTBN Day 2026 is right around the corner and YOU are invited!

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22ND 2026!

This year, the UNT Jazz Trombone Studio is thrilled to welcome KALIA VANDEVER to campus for a full day of music, learning, and community.

Featuring Kalia Vandever Live at UNT
Kalia Vandever is one of the most compelling and distinctive voices in today’s jazz landscape. A trombonist, composer, and producer, she is widely recognized for her lyrical playing, genre-blurring sound, and deeply personal artistic vision.
Originally from the Pacific Northwest and now based in New York City, Vandever has released multiple critically acclaimed albums as a leader and has been featured at major venues and festivals worldwide. Her work blends jazz improvisation with ambient textures, song forms, and experimental production, offering a fresh and expansive perspective on what the trombone can be in today’s music.

Throughout the day, Kalia will work closely with participants and will be featured in the JTBN Day Finale Concert alongside the UNT U-Tubes Trombone Ensemble.

JTBN Day 2026 is 100% free and open to the public, thanks to the generous support of our sponsors:
* Conn-Selmer
* Butler Trombones
* Greg Black Mouthpieces
* Yamaha
bandandorchestra



🙏🎊🙏🎊🙏


Can’t make it to Denton? No problem. The full event will be livestreamed.

Register at www.jtbnday.com to receive the livestream links for this year’s festivities.

03/28/2024

HUGE Congratulations to our Four Finalists for the UNT Jazz Trombone Competition Finals!

Thank you to our Amazing Prize Sponsors, as well!

B.A.C. Musical Instruments "Best American Craftsmen" 1st Prize: Jackson Churchill
Conn Selmer 2nd Prize: DJ Rice
David Butler Trombones 3rd Prize: Hugo Caldeira
and Congratulations to our 4th Finalist Balthazar Bodin!

It was an amazing weekend with these young artists!
Stay tuned for next year!

01/19/2024

The new single SAY WHEN is NOW STREAMING!

https://found.ee/Nick-Finzer-Say-When-Single

Featuring an amazing trio that played with JJ, himself!

LEWIS NASH - Drums ()
RENEE ROSNES - Piano ()
RUFUS REID - Bass ()
Produced by: Ryan Truesdell ()

Take a listen, tell a friend - I’m really proud of this project! 🙂

For more info and tour dates: nickfinzermusic.com

Tour Dates coming UP:
1/19 & 20: Purdue University Jazz Festival
1/22 UCO Jazz Lab (OKC)
1/25 Monks Jazz (Austin, TX)
1/26 Steve’s Wine Bar (Denton, TX)

01/18/2024

📣 Big Announcement 📣

We are very excited to announce our finalists for the 2024 UNT International Jazz Trombone Competition!

With many entries from all over the globe we are thrilled to welcome these great musicians to Denton for the final round of our competition!

This year’s competition was as fierce as ever, and the judges decisions resulted in a tie! Thanks to the generous support of our amazing sponsors we will be inviting four finalists this year!

(In Alphabetical order)
Balthazar Bodin (France)
Hugo Caldeira (Portugal)
Jackson Churchill (Iowa)
DJ Rice (Texas)

Be sure to join us and Steve Turre on March 23, 2024 at the UNT College of Music for JTBN Day Volume 5!

We’ll be celebrating the centennial year of JJ Johnson!

It’s free!!!

Come hang out with us 😊

More info: https://jazztrombone.music.unt.edu/jazz-trombone-day
FREE RSVP to JTBN DAY: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=khnecMYHD0ijGKGvy6A5g7M-ANl6kElDq3WFMfyWewFUNElSV040NVNDR0Q2Nkk4T0RLUkFUWFRJSi4u

Nick Finzer

02/17/2023

Not just for big band! Saxophonists beware! We’re coming for you! 😜

01/25/2023

On February 8th, the UNT UTubes take Austin by storm! Featuring the wonderful Andre Hayward at Parker Jazz Club! One Set at 730pm!

11/23/2022

NEXT SATURDAY - JTBN DAY IS BACK! December 3rd, 2022
FREE - In-person and STREAMING!

Our wonderful guest artist will be the amazing Michael Dease! He will play a concert with the University of North Texas U-Tubes at 8PM to close out the day.

The International Jazz Trombone Competition Finals (1PM) will also be held in person on December 3rd and features three amazing young artists:
(in alpha order)
- Evan Amoroso
- Balthazar Bodin
- Jack Kotze

You'll get to hear them display their artistry, and get to know them, especially if you are able to join us in Denton!

RSVP here to make sure you don't miss out:
https://jazztrombone.music.unt.edu/jazz-trombone-day

None of this would be possible without the support of our amazing sponsors for the 2022 edition of JTBN DAY!

Yamaha
BAC Musical Instruments
Butler Trombones
Marcinkiewicz Mouthpieces
Hirschman Mutes

See you on December 3rd!

10/13/2022

December 3rd, 2022! JTBN Day Volume 4
NEW SPONSORS AND GUEST ARTIST ANNOUNCED TODAY!

Michael Dease // Yamaha Music USA
B.A.C. Musical Instruments "Best American Craftsmen"
Butler Trombones
Marcinkiewicz Company
Hirschman Mutes
UNT College of Music

More info about Jazz Trombone Day: http://jazztrombone.music.unt.edu/jazz-trombone-dayRSVP to Jazz Trombone Day: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage....

10/10/2022

This weekend the U-Tubes celebrated at the Denton Arts and Jazz Festival by playing music from the group’s new album “The Plot Thickens” and featuring one of the original members of the U-Tubes - Sean Nelson!

09/29/2022

PRIZE UPDATES! UNT JTBN DAY 2022!

05/13/2022

Studio Prof Nick Finzer here... I'm super excited about this year's Jazz Trombone Bootcamp - I really hope you can come! Registration ends 5/22!

Come hang with Wycliffe Gordon, Andy Martin, Jennifer Wharton, and Dion Tucker who will be giving guest Masterclasses!

For the rest of the week, you'll be in the capable hands of David Rice and Jack Courtright... oh, and dealing with me! 😂

Here's the link to register: https://nickfinzer.store/products/jazz-trombone-bootcamp-virtual-2022

Looking forward to it!