Neal Bennett – Trombone/Euphonium Artist, Educator, and Conductor
 

Trombonist Neal Bennett is widely recognized as one of Canada’s most versatile and dynamic brass musicians. Best known as a co-founder of I Tromboni, dubbed “The Team Canada of Trombones”, Neal has helped lead the ensemble through over 2,000 performances since its founding—now celebrating its 25th anniversary. I Tromboni has performed on some of Canada’s most prestigious stages, including the Chan Centre, Winspear Centre, National Arts Centre, Place des Arts, and the Fredericton Playhouse, among many others. With a unique blend of jaw-dropping technique, humor, and showmanship, the group has captivated audiences across North America through its three acclaimed recordings and countless live performances.

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"I Tromboni is a phenomenal group you could see on any stage, anywhere, anytime. There is nothing like them… nothing!"
– Jens Lindemann, Trumpet Virtuoso & Canadian Brass Alumnus

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As a soloist, Neal Bennett’s virtuosity spans multiple trombones and a vast range of musical styles, from classical to jazz and contemporary new music. His ability to move seamlessly between genres has led to collaborations with some of the world’s finest musicians. He has performed as lead trombone in Jens Lindemann’s BRASSFIRE Spectacular and has premiered numerous major works, including:

• Johann DeMeij’s "T-Bone Concerto" with the Pacific Symphonic Wind Ensemble

• Elizabeth Raum’s "Olmutz Concerto" with the West Coast Symphony

• Multiple projects with the Redshift New Music Society, a leading organization for contemporary music in Canada

• Most recently, he performed Launy Grøndahl’s Trombone Concerto with the Orchestre Symphonique Régional de l'Abitibi-Témiscamingue

Since 2010, Neal has also dedicated significant time to developing his euphonium playing, further expanding his artistic range. He is currently planning a new recording project featuring the euphonium, highlighting its expressive capabilities and versatility.
 

“Neal Bennett is a trombone virtuoso in every sense of the word. He possesses a technique normally reserved for the very best violinists and communicates with an almost overwhelming sincerity of expression.”
– Mark Takashi McGregor, Redshift Music Artistic Director

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In addition to his performing career, Neal Bennett is a dedicated educator and conductor. He is Professor of Brass at the Conservatoire de Musique et d’Art Dramatique du Québec à Val d’Or, where he also teaches CEGEP harmony and conducts multiple ensembles. Returning to teach at the very institution where he studied remains one of Neal’s proudest achievements.

As a teacher and mentor, Neal’s students have excelled in competitions, including the Canadian Music Competition, and have gone on to successful careers in music.

Beyond his work at the Conservatoire, Neal is an active conductor and artistic director, bringing together professional and community musicians in ambitious and innovative projects. Most notably, he is leading the development of Grande Fanfare Symphonique du Vent-de-l'Or (GFSO), a large-scale symphonic wind ensemble.

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In 2012, Neal recorded a groundbreaking Redshift Records album featuring new works for trombone, including commissions by:

• Jocelyn Morlock (Juno-nominated composer)

• Scott Good (Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Composer-in-Residence)

• Farshid Sammandari (Winner of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Commission)

• Roydon Tse (Award-winning composer)

His research into the forgotten repertoire of the alto trombone has taken him deep into monastic libraries across Europe, uncovering and reviving works not performed since the 18th century.

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Neal holds a Premier Prix from the Montreal Conservatory, where he studied with Alain Trudel, graduating with the highest mark of any instrument in his year. He later earned a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of British Columbia, supported by the Canada Council’s A Grant to Artists. His advanced studies included mentorship from Jens Lindemann and Wycliffe Gordon at the Banff Centre for the Arts.

Neal was also a long-time student of Gordon Cherry, Martin Berinbaum, and Doug Sparkes, three of Canada’s most distinguished low brass performers and educators. Their influence helped shape his approach to the instrument, blending technical mastery with expressive depth.

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Neal is based in Val d’Or, Quebec, where he balances his demanding musical career with family life. He and his wife, Peggy, have three wonderful children, and when he’s not on stage or in the classroom, he enjoys fishing, gourmet cooking, and exploring new artistic projects.