Dr. David Perkel

Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, David Perkel was hailed by the Baltimore Sun; “...it was beautifully realized, especially by the trombonist who tapped into the mysticism of the score with soulful, sustained tone and graceful phrasing.” The National Society of Arts and Letters wrote “...the piece’s novelty was a pair of melodious solos for trombone, handled with gorgeous sonority by principal trombonist David Perkel.” All About Jazz wrote, “...mention must be made of lead trombonist David Perkel’s lustrous tone on the cozy ‘If the Shoe Fits.” 

Edwards Trombone Artist, David Perkel, is a versatile orchestral and jazz artist. He was a titled member of the Richmond Symphony and has performed with many other orchestras including the National Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony, Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, San Antonio Symphony Orchestra, Virginia Symphony, and the Harrisburg Symphony. Additionally, in 1999 he was appointed principal trombone in the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra. He has been featured as a soloist in the ASO several times, including Jennifer Higdon’s “Concerto for Low Brass”, “Overture for Trombone and Strings” by Alan Hovhaness, and Jim Pugh’s “Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra.” 

As a jazz musician, Perkel has performed and/or recorded with numerous jazz luminaries including Chris Potter, Branford Marsalis, Dianne Schuur, Ryan Kisor, Afro Bop Alliance, Dick Oatts, Jane Monheit, Jerry Bergonzi, Bob Mintzer, Jim Pugh, the Alan Baylock Jazz Orchestra, the United States Air Force Airmen of Note, the University of North Texas One O’Clock Lab Band, New York Voices, and many others. He was also the lead trombonist and soloist for the Navy Band Commodores jazz ensemble for sixteen years. 

Perkel earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of North Texas, a Master of Music degree from the Manhattan School of Music, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The Catholic University of America. 

Dr. Perkel serves as an adjunct applied professor of trombone at George Mason University, effective January 2024. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor of Trombone and Euphonium at Towson University. Previously, he was the low brass professor at George Washington University and Frostburg State University and spent five years as an artist-in-residence at the Sewanee Summer Music Festival in Tennessee. Perkel is also a sought-after clinician, completing a residency at East Carolina University and given many master classes across the United States, including the University of North Texas, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of New Mexico-Albuquerque, University of Delaware, Tennessee Tech University, Midwest Clinic, Eastern Trombone Workshop, and the National Jazz Workshop. 

Adjunct Applied Faculty

• Trombone

Degrees

• DMA, The Catholic University of America
• MM, Manhattan School of Music
• BM, University of North Texas