Trombones

Mike Souliere
Mike Souliere is currently Director of Bands at Pleasant Grove High School and Albiani Middle School. Mr. Souliere is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno and holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Jazz Performance, and a Masters of Music Degree in Applied Trombone. Formally lead trombone for Gordie Brown at Harrah's Reno, Mike has performed with artists such as Hans Halt, Randy Porter, Tom Kubis, George Graham, Ingrid Jensen, John Fedchock, Brian Lynch, Tim Hagans, Bob Fylling and Cedar Walton. Mike has studied trombone with Leonard Neidhold, Shelley Denny, Conrad Herwig, and Bob McChesney.

Chip Tingle
Chip Tingle has been a professional trombonist, educator, and music promoter for over 30 years. His performing and recording credits include backing such artists as Ray Charles, Johnny Mathis, The Temptations, Sam Moore, Martha Reeves, Shirley Jones, Red Skelton, The Ink Spots, Little Anthony and the Imperials. Chip has also appeared with such notable jazz artists as Jon Hendricks, Astrud Gilberto, Jon Faddis, Bob Berg, Dave Liebman, Pete Escovedo, The Four Freshmen, Mel Martin's Bebop & Beyond, and Latin Jazz / Afro-Cuban artists Tito Nieves, Lefty Perez, El Canario, Chocoláte, Orquesta Candèla, Benny Velarde's Super Combo, Julio Bravo y Salsabor, Orquesta Kaché, Tito Garcia y Orquesta International, Danilo y Orquesta Universal, and Salsa Caliente. Chip has also performed in a variety of big band settings including the Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, Full Faith & Credit Big Band, Mike Vax Jazz Orchestra, San Jose Jazz Orchestra, Mel Martin Big Band, Harold Jones Boss Men, Rudy Salvini Big Band, Dave Eshelman's Jazz Garden Big Band, CARMA Big Band, Black Market Jazz Orchestra, and the Bay Area Jazz Composers Orchestra. Chip maintains an active private teaching studio and is involved in directing many after school ensembles including jazz combos, improvisation workshops, and brass chamber groups. He is in demand as a clinician and adjudicator in elementary schools, regional colleges and summer jazz camps focusing on brass performance, jazz improvisation, and big bands.

Phil Tulga
Phil Tulga received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. He now resides in Sacramento where he presents educational programs at elementary schools, and is a member of the Jazz Studies faculty at CSUS. Phil has been honored by the Mayor and the Sacramento City Council for his work in the area of arts education. As a professional musician, he has performed with the Sacramento Symphony, Ballet, and Opera orchestras, as well as jazz/pop greats including Natalie Cole, Tony Bennett, Ray Charles, and Ella Fitzgerald. During Phil's Los Angeles years, he also toured with Paul Anka and performed on various television recording sessions at Burbank Studios for HBO and ABC.

Besides the study of jazz, Phil is also involved with researching and composing music related to Aztec poetry and West African drum language. In addition, he designs online multimedia arts integration activities that connect music to reading, math and science. To see more on Phil's educational outreach, please visit his website at: www.philtulga.com.

Cory Cunningham
Cory currently teaches middle school instrumental music in Cameron Park. He received his Bachelor of Music and his Master of Music in trombone performance from Sacramento State University under the study of Joel Elias, Phil Tulga and Loyd Roby. Along with teaching, Cory freelances in the greater Sacramento area and has performed with such notable artists as Ingrid Jensen, Mike Vax, Bobby Shew, Bob Mintzer, Mark Levine, Jon Faddis, Kenny Werner, Wayne Wallace, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Wayne Newton, The Guy Lombardo Orchestra, Johnny Mathis, Fred Morgan Big Band, The Sierra Symphony, The Clear Lake Symphony, Capitol Pops and The John Skinner Band as well as making several recordings with the Sacramento State Latin Jazz Band and Jazz Singers while in college. Along with performing, Cory has choral works published by UNC Jazz Press and contributes record reviews to the International Trombone Journal. When not playing the trombone, bass trombone and tuba, Cory enjoys playing golf, composing, and singing in the Sacramento based chamber ensemble RSVP.

Tony Portela
Antonio Portela is a native of Sacramento. In 2001 Antonio joined the Marine Corps where he attended the Armed Forces School of Music where he accelerated to an early graduation. From there he was sent to The Albany Georgia Marine Corps Band. While there Antonio played with a number of performing groups such as the Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, Ceremonial Band, Brass Quintet, and the Show Band. He traveled all over the world and performed for a number of well known figures. Some of the locations he has performed include Scotland, Canada, New York, Florida, Texas, Tennessee and has performed for the Queen of England, The Mayor of New York, former President Jimmy Carter, and George Steinbrenner to name a few. After Antonio's completion of his time with the Marine Corps in 2005 he decided to continue his military service and joined the 59th Army Band as well as pursue a double major degree in Music Performance and Education from California State University of Sacramento. He plays with a variety of ensembles as part of the university and the community. These groups include the Sacramento State Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble, Roseville Brass Quintet, The 59th Army Band and the Sacramento Philharmonic as well as many others. He has also performed for such people as Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Governors of Texas, Arizona, Louisiana, and Mexico and has performed with such performers as Terell Stafford, Dave Pietro, Scott Whitfield, and Nancy King.

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