| RICH BULLOCK TROMBONIST BASS, TENOR, CONTRABASS VOCALIST BASS / BARITONE MEMBER AFM LOCALS 47, 7, 353 & RECORDING MUSICIANS OF AMERICA (RMA) |
| EXTENDED BIOGRAPHY |
PERSONAL INFORMATION:
Born in Magnolia, Arkansas on November 1, 1954. Started playing trombone in 1965 while a fifth
grade student in Warren, Arkansas. Moved from El Dorado, Arkansas, to Long Beach, California in
June 1969 prior to starting ninth grade at Jefferson Junior High School (now Middle School).
Started playing bass trombone in October 1971 as a junior at Woodrow Wilson High School in
Long Beach. Graduated from Wilson HS in 1973 as part of the same class that produced noted
saxophonist Dan Higgins, who also arranged the first two bass trombone features that Rich
would play. Subsequently attended Long Beach City College and California State University at
Long Beach through 1977. Was employed at Boeing (formerly Rockwell International) in a variety
of administrative scheduling positions from November 1981 until retiring in December 2012 in
order to support his music habit. He is the proud father of twenty-four year old Julianne, a 2007
graduate of Long Beach Wilson High School (her dad’s alma mater!) and UCLA Class of 2011,
Bachelor of Science in Physiological Sciences. Is also a voiceover actor with several narration
credits (commercial demo available on request!).
PROFESSIONAL CREDITS:
Performed and recorded with the Don Ellis Orchestra from 1975-1978. Joined Bill Watrous’
Refuge West Big Band in 1978 and, after a hiatus of several years in the 1980’s, continues to be a
regular member of the band to this day (WHO’S GOT THE HEAT?). Toured with Harry James and
Al Hirt in 1980. Since the early 1980’s has also performed and/or recorded with the big bands of
Tom Kubis, Gordon Goodwin, Paul Cacia, Bill Perkins, Matt Catingub, Ladd McIntosh, Woody
Herman (post Woody), Jack Sheldon, George Graham, George Stone, Joey Altruda, Wayne
Bergeron, Buddy Bregman, Chris Walden, Dirk Fischer, Gary Urwin, Scott Whitfield, Phil Woods,
Alan Broadbent, the Ron Jones Influence Jazz Orchestra and the Stan Kenton Alumni Orchestra
under the direction of Mike Vax. Has been a trombonist (and vocalist, sort of) with Tracy Wells’ Big
Band since 1975. Popular artists performed or recorded with include Peaches and Herb
(remember disco?), Bob Welch, the LA Boppers, Toni Tennille (with Matt Catingub), Chicago (with
Bill Watrous), Natalie Cole, Steve Allen (with Tom Kubis), Johnny Mathis, Bobby Caldwell, Lou
Rawls, Paul Anka, Bernadette Peters, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Robert Goulet, Collin
Raye, Lorna Luft, Patti Austin, Michael Bolton, Chris Botti, Luis Miguel and many more. Since the
late 1970’s has been more or less (mostly less) involved with freelance motion picture and
television recording. Was a frequent performer for the Long Beach Civic Light Opera from 1985-
1995. Has performed occasionally with the Long Beach Opera, Opera Pacific, Long Beach
Symphony and Pacific Symphony since the late 1980’s. Performed with the Long Beach Municipal
Band as a regular member and substitute from 1973 (pre-Proposition 13) until 2007. Was part of
the all-star band that performed for the world premiere of the show “Like Jazz” at the Mark Taper
Forum from November 2003 to January 2004. Has recently been working on the scores for the
animated series "Family Guy" and "American Dad".
Performed the world premiere of Ross Wright's Concerto for Tuba and Bass Trombone with John
Van Houten and the St. Matthew's Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Tom Neenan on
October 17, 2008.
Rich Bullock is an equal opportunity bass trombonist.
He does not need to work for food, but will work for ego strokes and stress relief (his!).
EQUIPMENT
Shires Bass Trombone "Super Configuration" with In-Line Tru-Bore valves (pictures to come!)
Getzen 1062FDR Eterna Bass Trombone w/Red Brass Bell (Dave Taylor model)
Haag C45AV Contrabass Trombone in F with C and A attachments w/Gold Brass Bell
Minick Custom Bass Trombone made from Conn 62H bell section and lightweight Bach 50B slide
Conn 88HO large bore tenor trombone
Bach 12 small bore tenor trombone
Jupiter 582L BBb tuba
Miraphone 186 CC Tuba w/5 valves
Born in Magnolia, Arkansas on November 1, 1954. Started playing trombone in 1965 while a fifth
grade student in Warren, Arkansas. Moved from El Dorado, Arkansas, to Long Beach, California in
June 1969 prior to starting ninth grade at Jefferson Junior High School (now Middle School).
Started playing bass trombone in October 1971 as a junior at Woodrow Wilson High School in
Long Beach. Graduated from Wilson HS in 1973 as part of the same class that produced noted
saxophonist Dan Higgins, who also arranged the first two bass trombone features that Rich
would play. Subsequently attended Long Beach City College and California State University at
Long Beach through 1977. Was employed at Boeing (formerly Rockwell International) in a variety
of administrative scheduling positions from November 1981 until retiring in December 2012 in
order to support his music habit. He is the proud father of twenty-four year old Julianne, a 2007
graduate of Long Beach Wilson High School (her dad’s alma mater!) and UCLA Class of 2011,
Bachelor of Science in Physiological Sciences. Is also a voiceover actor with several narration
credits (commercial demo available on request!).
PROFESSIONAL CREDITS:
Performed and recorded with the Don Ellis Orchestra from 1975-1978. Joined Bill Watrous’
Refuge West Big Band in 1978 and, after a hiatus of several years in the 1980’s, continues to be a
regular member of the band to this day (WHO’S GOT THE HEAT?). Toured with Harry James and
Al Hirt in 1980. Since the early 1980’s has also performed and/or recorded with the big bands of
Tom Kubis, Gordon Goodwin, Paul Cacia, Bill Perkins, Matt Catingub, Ladd McIntosh, Woody
Herman (post Woody), Jack Sheldon, George Graham, George Stone, Joey Altruda, Wayne
Bergeron, Buddy Bregman, Chris Walden, Dirk Fischer, Gary Urwin, Scott Whitfield, Phil Woods,
Alan Broadbent, the Ron Jones Influence Jazz Orchestra and the Stan Kenton Alumni Orchestra
under the direction of Mike Vax. Has been a trombonist (and vocalist, sort of) with Tracy Wells’ Big
Band since 1975. Popular artists performed or recorded with include Peaches and Herb
(remember disco?), Bob Welch, the LA Boppers, Toni Tennille (with Matt Catingub), Chicago (with
Bill Watrous), Natalie Cole, Steve Allen (with Tom Kubis), Johnny Mathis, Bobby Caldwell, Lou
Rawls, Paul Anka, Bernadette Peters, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Robert Goulet, Collin
Raye, Lorna Luft, Patti Austin, Michael Bolton, Chris Botti, Luis Miguel and many more. Since the
late 1970’s has been more or less (mostly less) involved with freelance motion picture and
television recording. Was a frequent performer for the Long Beach Civic Light Opera from 1985-
1995. Has performed occasionally with the Long Beach Opera, Opera Pacific, Long Beach
Symphony and Pacific Symphony since the late 1980’s. Performed with the Long Beach Municipal
Band as a regular member and substitute from 1973 (pre-Proposition 13) until 2007. Was part of
the all-star band that performed for the world premiere of the show “Like Jazz” at the Mark Taper
Forum from November 2003 to January 2004. Has recently been working on the scores for the
animated series "Family Guy" and "American Dad".
Performed the world premiere of Ross Wright's Concerto for Tuba and Bass Trombone with John
Van Houten and the St. Matthew's Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Tom Neenan on
October 17, 2008.
Rich Bullock is an equal opportunity bass trombonist.
He does not need to work for food, but will work for ego strokes and stress relief (his!).
EQUIPMENT
Shires Bass Trombone "Super Configuration" with In-Line Tru-Bore valves (pictures to come!)
- Commercial Jazz setup (Big Band, commercially oriented shows or recordings): Red
brass bell, dual bore slide, gold brass tuning crook - Commercial Show setup (Celebrity shows, most musical theater pit orchestras): Gold
brass bell, dual bore slide, gold brass tuning crook. - Symphonic Light setup (Pops orchestras, certain operas, church gigs, chamber music):
Gold brass bell, dual bore slide, gold brass tuning crook - Symphonic Heavy setup (Symphony orchestra, certain operas and symphonic style
shows): Heavyweight yellow brass bell, dual bore slide, gold brass tuning crook
Getzen 1062FDR Eterna Bass Trombone w/Red Brass Bell (Dave Taylor model)
Haag C45AV Contrabass Trombone in F with C and A attachments w/Gold Brass Bell
Minick Custom Bass Trombone made from Conn 62H bell section and lightweight Bach 50B slide
Conn 88HO large bore tenor trombone
Bach 12 small bore tenor trombone
Jupiter 582L BBb tuba
Miraphone 186 CC Tuba w/5 valves
| In Appreciation (and in Memory of) my former teachers and mentors Jim Nelson Jeff Reynolds Don Staples Ron Logan (Long Beach City College) Bill Craig (Barton Jr. High School, El Dorado, Arkansas) In Memoriam Rolland W. Sandberg (Wilson HS, Long Beach, California) Dr. Michael Pappone (Long Beach City College) John H. Prince (California State University Long Beach) Stan Seckler (Pico Rivera Stage Band) Peter Spooner (Jefferson Jr. HS, Long Beach, California) Curry W. Martin (Schools of Warren, Arkansas) |
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| Influences! These bass trombonists of yesterday and today, some very well known, some known only to a few, have inspired me by their style and excellence and continue to do so to this day! West Coast Legends George Roberts (Mr. Bass Trombone himself!) Kenny Shroyer Ernie Tack Lew McCreary (R.I.P.) Phil Teele Dick "Slyde" Hyde Barrett O'Hara Bill Reichenbach Don Waldrop Morris Repass Terry Woodson (Original Don Ellis bass trombonist) Kenny Sawhill (Former Don Ellis bass trombonist - whereabouts unknown) Don Switzer (former Don Ellis & Woody Herman bass trombonist - also whereabouts unknown) East Coast Legends Tony Studd Paul Faulise Alan Raph Dick Hixson Dave Taylor Personal Friends (Legendary to me!) Brad Thoelke (Millikan HS 1971 - my first local, huge bass bone influence!) Bob Sanders George Thatcher Alan Johnson John Leys Craig Ware Ken Kugler Harold Garrett Robbie Hioki Robert Coomber John Wasson (Dallas, Texas) Jonathan Warburton (UK) Bill Hartman (GREAT Stan Kenton bass trombonist from the 70's!) Mike Suter (Speaking of great Stan Kenton bass trombonists!) Pete Beltran Socorro "Sonny" Hernandez Steve Lewis Leslie Havens Mitch Fennell (former bass trombone standout at CSULB, Dr. Fennell is now Director of Bands at California State University at Fullerton!) Symphonic Masters Jeff Reynolds (former LA Phil) Charles Vernon (Chicago Symphony) Edward Kleinhammer (former Chicago Symphony) Blair Bollinger (Philadelphia Orchestra) Bob Harper (late of Philadelphia Orchestra) Donald Harwood (former NY Phil) Allen Ostrander (late of NY Phil) Douglas Yeo (Boston Symphony) John Lofton (new LA Phil bass trombonist) Young Lions (well, younger than ME anyway!) Steve Ferguson Bob Heller Bryant Byers Craig Gosnell Steve Trapani Clifford Childers Ben Devitt Jeff Stupin Fuchou Chiang Joe Barati Paul Rivera Jennifer Wharton (a Lioness!) Juliane Gralle (another Lioness!) In Memoriam - no longer with us and greatly missed, but NEVER forgotten! Dana Hughes Vic Steelhammer Dan Hemwall |