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Ron Wilkins resides in San Antonio, Texas and is a graduate of Theodore Roosevelt High School. He attended North Texas State University (now the University of North Texas) and later graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio. While attending NTSU, Ron performed with the 2 o'clock Lab Band, the NTSU Jazz Singers, and the College All-Star Big Band led by Clark Terry.
In 1984 Ron enlisted in the United States Air Force and performed in the USAF Band of the West as lead and bass trombonist, principal euphonium, second tubist, and feature vocalist. Ron is currently bass trombonist with Mid-Texas Symphony in Seguin, and he was the featured artist for the May 9, 2004 concert.
Ron's diversified career has led to performances with the San Antonio Symphony and Festival Orchestra, and Victoria, Texas Symphony. He plays tuba and bass trombone with THE CAPITOL OF TEXAS BRASS QUINTET out of Austin, Texas. Ron recently performed as Guest Artist with the Temple Symphony Orchestra and the Flint Michigan Pops Symphony Orchestra. His Broadway touring show credits include; "West Side Story," "Showboat," "The Producers," "Chicago," "Lion King" and many others.
Ron has also performed with Jerry Lewis, Bob Hope, Lena Horne, Ray Charles, Rosemary Clooney, Dizzy Gillespie, the Temptations, the Four Tops, and other well known entertainers. As a noted jazz musician, Ron performs with the Ron Wilkins 4tet in the San Antonio and Austin area at Luna Fine Music Club and the Elephant Room. SAN ANTONIO CURRENT Magazine featured Ron on the cover when the CURRENT named the Ron Wilkins 4tet best jazz group of 2004. Ron also occasionally performs with the group Small World, and is featured on Small World's CDs "Seasons of the Heart" and "Live at the Landing." In June of 2001, Ron performed with Small World at the American Federation of Musicians Union Annual Convention in Las Vegas. In May 2002, Ron was a featured artist in Denton, Texas at the International Trombone Association's 2002 International Trombone Festival.
As an educator, Ron cultivates a studio that produces many Texas All-State Band performers. He teaches alto/tenor/bass/trombone, euphonium and tuba methods, jazz improvisation, jazz combo, and voice. In January 2005, Ron became trombone instructor at The University of Texas in San Antonio
Ron has performed at numerous jazz festivals across the country including the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, the Mile High Jazz Festival at Denver, Colorado, and the Wichita Jazz Festival, where he was named Outstanding Jazz Soloist. In November of 2001, Ron was Artist in Residence at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. In September of 2003, Ron was guest artist with the Bob Snyder All-Star Big Band at the Grand Hotel-Mackinac Island Michigan Jazz Festival.
Ron is an Edwards Trombones clinician and plays them exclusively. He recently released his first CD, "Ron Wilkins: A Tribute to the Masters." At this time, he is working on his second CD, "The Sleeper has Awakened."
Ron has a beautiful daughter, Emily, handsome son-in-law, Salim, and brilliant new grandson, Xavier Everett James. Currently, Ron teaches private low brass and jazz improvisation in San Antonio, performs as a freelance artist, and happily lives with his wife Rhonda and their three cats, Lippy (Kitty Emeritus-Rest in Peace dearest friend), Fluteytail and Alice.
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