University of Northern Colorado
Loveland, Colorado
Jonathan Bumpus is a trombonist, composer/arranger, and educator based in Northern Colorado. Originally from Pullman, WA, Jonathan studied at Whitworth University and the Eastman School of Music and is currently pursuing doctoral studies in jazz composition and jazz pedagogy at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC).
A versatile and expressive trombonist, Jonathan is highly in demand in the Denver area and was named Outstanding Graduate Jazz Soloist by DownBeat Magazine in 2025. Jonathan has performed and/or recorded with groups such as the Zaremba Jazz Fellowship, Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra, UNC Jazz Festival All Stars, Daruma, Andrew Janak Quartet, Gabriel Santiago Orchestra, David Caffey Jazz Orchestra, Socrates Garcia Latin Jazz Orchestra, Dave Rivello Ensemble, Bob Curnow Big Band, Spokane Jazz Orchestra, Spokane Symphony Orchestra, and Coeur d'Alene Symphony. Jonathan has also performed at and participated in the Jazz Education Network conference, the Jazz Aspen Snowmass Academy, and the Global Music Education League Symposium in Trieste, Italy.
Jonathan's compositions and arrangements for big band, studio orchestra, and marching band have been performed by high school, college, and professional groups across the country. Recent commissions include the UNC Jazz Festival All-Star Big Band featuring Wayne Bergeron and Sarah Hanahan, Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra, American Prize finalist Winds5 (Seattle-based Woodwind Quintet), the Wyoming All-State Jazz Band, and Brighton High School (MI). In 2024, Jonathan's composition "Real In" was named Donor's Choice in the Ithaca College Jazz Composition Contest.
An active jazz scholar, Jonathan's research interests include idiomatic trombone improvisation, jazz pedagogy, jazz teacher training, and jazz theory. Jonathan's work on idiomatic jazz trombone improvisation has been published in Jazz Education in Research and Practice. Upcoming research engagements include presentations at the College Music Society conference and the Jazz Education Network conference. Jonathan is currently in progress on dissertation work on the topic of jazz methods courses.
A committed and experienced educator, Jonathan directed a public high school jazz ensemble for four years, has worked on the faculty of the UNC Jazz Camp for three years, and has taught jazz theory, jazz trombone, jazz composition, and jazz pedagogy at UNC.
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Early New Orleans Jazz Education
Thursday, January 8, 2026
3:30 PM - 5:30 PM CST
Thursday, January 8, 2026
11:00 PM - 11:59 PM CST
