David Manson
David Manson is a trombonist, band leader, composer, producer and educator with a diverse range of experience in music.
His degrees include a doctorate from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He began his performance career with positions in the Florida West Coast Symphony Orchestra, Memphis Symphony Orchestra and taught at Indiana State University before returning to Florida.
He has performed and recorded with Cecil Taylor, Sam Rivers, Eugene Chadbourne, John Lindberg, Davey Williams and other innovators. He has also backed popular artists including Henry Mancini, Johnny Mathis, Burt Bacharach and toured with the Glenn Miller Orchestra.
He was trombonist and arranger for Bogus Pomp, a Frank Zappa repertoire band. His orchestral works have been performed by the Florida Orchestra and he has been awarded two Florida Fellowships in music composition. He was a founder of the MIRA (Music Industry/Recording Arts) program and was awarded the title of Distinguished Faculty at St. Petersburg College in 2015. His original music has been placed in shows on HBO, Fox, CW, BBC, AMC, Showtime and ABC.
David directs the nonprofit EMIT and in 27 seasons, has presented nearly 600 concerts and workshops in St. Petersburg. He directs the Helios Jazz Orchestra, leads Brazilian group O Som Do Jazz, avant-jazz band ERG and teaches jazz studies and Pro Tools courses in the MIRA program at St. Petersburg College. He is founder and director of the annual St. Petersburg Jazz Festival and Latin Jazz Fest.