Biography
Jay Friedman has been a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's trombone section since 1962, and was appointed principal in 1964 by Maestro Martinon. He has performed solos with the CSO on serveral occasions, including a concerto by Ellen Zwilich commissioned for him by the Edward F. Schmidt family. Prior to his tenure in the Chicago Symphony, Friedman spent four years in the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and two years as principal trombonist of the Florida Symphony. He attended Yale University on scholarship and later majored in composition at Roosevelt University.
Friedman recently released a solo CD, entitled The Singing Trombone, which was intended to assist trombone students. Jay has taught trombone privately for many years, and his students hold positions in orchestras around the world. Friedman currently serves as trombone professor and chairman of the wind department at Roosevelt University.
Jay Friedman's masterclasses are widely respected. In 1976 he was selected to represent the United States at the first Brass Symposium in Switzerland, and in the summer of 2001 he held masterclasses and performed at the International Trombone Camp in Fossano, Italy. He has also worked with the trumpets and trombones of the Orchestra de Paris during one of his regular international tours. Friedman has been a featured performer at the International Trombone Festival for many years, and was awarded the prestigious ITA Award in 2004.
Active as a conductor, Jay Friedman is music director of the Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest, and resident conductor of the Chicago Chamber Orchestra. In 1998, at the invitation of Daniel Barenboim, he conducted the Civic Orchestra in Act I of Wagner's Die Walkure. The Chicago Sun-Times called the performance "The best Civic concert in the past 30 years." In 2000, he was chosen as Conductor of the Year by the Illinois Council of Orchestras.
Friedman recently released a solo CD, entitled The Singing Trombone, which was intended to assist trombone students. Jay has taught trombone privately for many years, and his students hold positions in orchestras around the world. Friedman currently serves as trombone professor and chairman of the wind department at Roosevelt University.
Jay Friedman's masterclasses are widely respected. In 1976 he was selected to represent the United States at the first Brass Symposium in Switzerland, and in the summer of 2001 he held masterclasses and performed at the International Trombone Camp in Fossano, Italy. He has also worked with the trumpets and trombones of the Orchestra de Paris during one of his regular international tours. Friedman has been a featured performer at the International Trombone Festival for many years, and was awarded the prestigious ITA Award in 2004.
Active as a conductor, Jay Friedman is music director of the Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest, and resident conductor of the Chicago Chamber Orchestra. In 1998, at the invitation of Daniel Barenboim, he conducted the Civic Orchestra in Act I of Wagner's Die Walkure. The Chicago Sun-Times called the performance "The best Civic concert in the past 30 years." In 2000, he was chosen as Conductor of the Year by the Illinois Council of Orchestras.