Music
Joseph Alessi
born 1959 · classical trombonist
Detroit-born trombonist who has been principal trombone of the New York Philharmonic since 1985 and is one of the most influential orchestral trombonists of his time.
- Born
Detroit, Michigan
age 67- Birth name
- Joseph Norman Alessi
- Field
- Music
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Alessi was born in Detroit in 1959 into a musical family: his father, also named Joseph, was a professional trumpet player and his mother sang in the Metropolitan Opera chorus. He grew up in California, finished high school in San Rafael at sixteen and immediately won a place in the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra, also appearing as a soloist with the San Francisco Symphony. From 1976 to 1980 he studied at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia, and during his third year he joined the Philadelphia Orchestra as second trombone, staying four seasons. After one season as principal trombone of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, he became principal trombone of the New York Philharmonic in the spring of 1985. In 1992 he gave the premiere of Christopher Rouse's Trombone Concerto, which won the 1993 Pulitzer Prize. He has taught at the Juilliard School since 1986, and his recording of George Crumb's Star-Child won a Grammy in 2001.
Highlights
- Principal trombone of the New York Philharmonic since 1985
- Premiered Christopher Rouse's Pulitzer-winning Trombone Concerto (1992)
- Juilliard School faculty since 1986
- International Trombone Association Award (2002)