Chris Glassman
About Chris
Hailed by the International Trombone Journal for his “warm sound, beautiful phrasing, and ability to perform in various styles convincingly,” Chris Glassman is a jazz bass trombonist, arranger, and educator based in Michigan. He is Director of Jazz at Interlochen Center for the Arts, Music Director of The Alluvion Big Band, and editor of the ITA Journal’s “Jazz, Etc.” column.
Chris has performed and/or recorded with Michael Bublé (including the “Higher” world tour), The Temptations, Sarah McLachlan, Kurt Elling, Danilo Perez, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Rodney Whitaker, Ulysses Owens Jr., and Etienne Charles. His latest release, Passionata with The Technocats, reached the JazzWeek Top 100, was a JazzWeek “Most Added,” and hit #10 on the NACC chart in 2026. Its predecessor was the 18th most-played jazz record internationally in 2023, per Roots Music Report. With The Alluvion Big Band, he has presented Danilo Perez and Bob Mintzer.
A graduate of the University of Denver and Michigan State University, Chris was a finalist or winner in every major U.S. jazz trombone competition between 2017 and 2019, all on bass trombone. He has given masterclasses at the University of North Texas, Ohio State University, and the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music. At Interlochen, his students have been accepted to Curtis, Juilliard, Harvard, USC, and more. His arrangements have been commissioned by the USAF Airmen of Note, Gaby Moreno, Brevard Music Center, and David Sanborn, among others. He lives in Michigan with his wife, Christine, and their three cats, Muffin, Dobby, and Poppy.
While studying in the Jazz area, I hope my students: 1. Learn to find the joy in learning the United States's Original Art Form, and develop a repeatable process for learning and achieving excellence consistently. 2. Synthesize how to collaborate and work with other people, develop friendships, lead their own ensembles, and pursue a common goal of an outstanding jazz performance. 3. Feel motivated to pass their knowledge along to other folks and continue the cycle of teaching and mentorship that is within the lineage of Jazz.
- Performed across the globe, including Madison Square Garden, the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Japan.
- Piloted and music-directed a professional Big Band, The Alluvion Big Band, which is now in its third season, including composing a library of over 40 charts for the band. This band has featured Danilo Perez, Bob Mintzer, and Carmen Bradford.
- Student success includes college acceptances to Juilliard, Princeton, Harvard, Manhattan School of Music, Curtis Institute, University of Southern California, and Berklee College of Music.
- Student job success, including an Interlochen Jazz graduate winning the USAF Band of Middle America Jazz Saxophone job.
- A Finalist or Winner of every National and International Jazz Trombone Competition (2017 - 2019).
B.M., Classical Trombone Performance - Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver
M.M., Jazz Studies on Trombone - Michigan State University College of Music