Ray Premru

American trombonist, bass trumpeter, composer, and music teacher (born June 6, 1934, Elmira, New York - died May 8, 1998, Cleveland, Ohio). He earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School Of Music in 1956. Soon after graduating he travelled to England for composition study with Peter Racine Fricker, intending to stay a few months. He earned a Performer's Certificate in trombone and composition from the Royal College of Music, London in 1957. He then began freelancing on trombone and bass trumpet, becoming a regular in the London jazz scene with groups like the Kenny Baker's Dozen. In 1958, he won the bass trombone position in the Philharmonia Orchestra, where he performed for the next 30 years, as well as performing regularly with the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble, and London Brass (from 1964 to 1988). He was Professor of Trombone at The Oberlin Conservatory Of Music in Ohio from 1988 until his death. He married Janet Jacobs in 1990.