Tom Vincent

Gateway Brass Quintet

Tom Vincent, Trombone

Tom Vincent was born in North Kingston, Rhode Island, and grew up in North Chicago, Illinois, where he began playing trombone and baritone horn at the age of nine. His childhood instructors included James Gilbertsen of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and William Clark. Following graduation from North Chicago Community High School in 1978, Tom attended the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music in Appleton, Wisconsin, where he studied low brass with Fred Sturm and Robert Levy. Tom graduated magna cum laude from Lawrence in 1982 with a Bachelor of Music degree.

Following college, Tom lived for three years in Marinette, Wisconsin, where he taught high school and junior high school bands. Desiring to perform more than a band director’s schedule would allow, Tom enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1986, and was assigned to the Air Force Band of the Midwest at Chanute Air Force Base, Illinois. His duties at Chanute included those of trombonist and performance coordinator for the Lincolnland Brass Quintet, and musical director for the Pacesetters Jazz Ensemble. He remained there until August of 1991, when he transferred to the United States Air Force Band of Mid-America at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. Sergeant Vincent performs on euphonium with the Concert Band and Four Star Brass, a highly acclaimed tuba-euphonium ensemble, and on trombone with the Lincolnland Brass Quintet and Shades of Blue Jazz Ensemble. His military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters, and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal with four oak leaf clusters.

In 1991, Tom earned the Master of Science degree from Eastern Illinois University, specializing in Technology Management. He maintains a strong interest in computer technology and graphic design. Professional memberships include Pi Kappa Lambda, the Musicians’ Association of St. Louis (A.F.M.) and the International Trombone Association. He is an active freelance musician, and has performed with artists such as The Temptations, Bob Hope, Buddy Childers, Petula Clark and the McGuire Sisters, and groups including the Sammy Kaye Orchestra, Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Jan Garber Orchestra, Russ Morgan Orchestra, Jim Manley’s Wild, Cool & Swinging, Legacy Big Band, Buddy Moreno Orchestra, St. Louis Brass Band, and Illinois Symphony.

In the St. Louis area, Tom appears regularly with the Fabulous Motown Revue, St. Louis Trombone Quartet, Sessions Jazz Band and Gary Dammer Big Band, as well as leading his own 11-piece swing band, the Society Swing Orchestra. Tom lives with his daughter, Nia, in O’Fallon, Illinois.

Tom with his daughter, Nia.