Bill Corum - Trombone

Bill Corum grew up in Visalia CA, a real hot-bed for low brass and music in general.  He got a fast start on the trombone by taking private lessons from the late great Bob Bergstrom, learning all of intricacies of the trombone from a master.  Bill was taught all the fundamentals and details that would take him to so many places.  While leading his section for two and a half years, Bill represented Golden West High School in the All State Honor Band.  At this point Bill’s background was largely classical with very little jazz influence. 

During his college days, Bill thoroughly enjoyed himself at UCLA.  While majoring in pure mathematics, Bill found time to be in the Bruin Marching Band, known as the Solid Gold Sound as well as the Varsity Band.  (His family also benefited by garnering free Bruin football and basketball tickets.)  In that wonderful time, he discovered that fun could be had by playing loud and low, eventually taking up permanent status in the third trombone section.  For his junior year at UCLA, Bill decided to take up the bass trombone.  He borrowed a school horn for the summer and was ready to suck stars and blow fire by band camp.  Highlights of his college music career include marching in the Rose Parade, appearing at the Final Four, and being singled out for being too loud amongst all 250 collegians in the marching band who were also giving it their all during the national anthem.  Not in a bad way, but apparently he was out of balance with the rest of the band.  Oooops!

  After college, Bill hit a bit of a lull.  During his first year of teaching, a very busy time, he had no participation in music.  It was terrible.  After one year of that whole lifestyle, he was ready to move onto greener pastures.  He researched and scouted and sent out resumes and was offered a job at Shasta Lake Cities’ Central Valley High School.  Besides all of the fly fishing and various other outdoors activities that he enjoyed, he also got to join a surprising number of music groups, everything from Shasta College groups to joining the music team at his church.  

Eventually, Bill was invited to join Larry Grandy’s evening jazz band at Shasta College.  It took some persistence and perseverance to make the necessary adjustments to a terrific jazz program but soon Bill was hitting those tricky low notes hard on that bass trombone.  Soon he caught the ears of Steve Fischer who invited him to be in his band.  It took some more adjustments and more time but soon he was cranking it out in that band as well. 

Bill is happily married now and enjoys the loving support of his beautiful wife.  Even though she works nights, she often makes his concerts and gigs.  While they have a lot to balance in their busy lives, music is a fun release for both of them.  It also gives them a great opportunity to get all dressed up and get in a few dances while the rest of the band plays.  Bill is even known to circle to the slow songs on the program for his dance breaks.  What a deal!