Bob Cochran started playing the trombone at the age of 12. He had been a terrible piano student in previous years, but didn't mind practicing the trombone.
Bob's first trombone role model was Urbie Green. One of Bob's best memories was taking a 16-bar solo in a "twenty-one trombones" arrangement during one of Mr. Green's appearances in Fargo, North Dakota. To get a little smile and golf-clap from Urbie Green after finishing with a double-high B-flat in a public performance has been the dream of many a jazz trombonist. As for less famous trombonists with whom Bob has had personal contact, he recalls playing in the Fargo-Moorhead Youth Syphony with a trombonist named Bruce Eidem, who has gone on to be a top professional -- Bruce currently plays with the critically acclaimed New York Trombone Conspiracy. Other trombone contemporories of Bob's who influenced him positively are Bruce Geske, John Gohl, John Mutch, Bruce Holt and Paul Olson. Bob was also strongly influenced by each of his teachers: Jack Harris, Lauren Buslee, Robert E. Bailey, Edward J. Huttlin and Tom Ervin.
Bob competed as a trombone soloist in city, regional and state music contests through junior high and high school. He was accompanied by his mother, Marian, an accomplished pianist and piano teacher. Besides being a great mom and competent accompanist, she was also an excellent musical coach. Tragically, she was killed by an automobile while out for one of her morning walks near her home in April of 1998. This web page is dedicated to her memory.
Bob was selected first chair in the Minnesota All State High School Honors Band in the summer of 1975. The following summer, he was named principal trombonist with the Minnesota All State High School Honors Orchestra. He was active in the Fargo-Moorhead Youth Symphony during his high school years, and with the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony during his high school and college years.
As a trombone performance major at Concordia College in Moorhead Minnesota, Bob was a featured trombone soloist with the concert band, jazz ensemble and orchestra. He also played in numerous brass ensembles.
Today, Bob is active in Bob Weller's trombone choir. Bob loves to play "church gigs" in the Phoenix area.
Bob's day jobs are in the fields of foreign currency exchange and aerospace engineering.
Bob is the CEO and Founder of Automatic Forex LLC. Bob serves as the webmaster for the Bones Southwest Web Page.
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