John Rojak joined the American Brass Quintet in 1991, with which he has been touring internationally,
recording, and teaching, including residencies at The Juilliard School in New York and the Aspen Music Festival
He is an original member of the orchestra for Broadway’s Les Misérables and the New York
Pops, as well as the bass trombonist for the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, Orpheus, Little Orchestra Society, and Solisti
New York. Mr. Rojak has recorded with the New York Chamber Symphony (including Strauss’ complete Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme),
St. Luke’s (including John Adams’ Nixon in China), Orpheus, and Solisti NY (including Stravinsky’s L’Histoire
du Soldat – English and Chinese versions), and has been heard on numerous jingles and soundtracks.
As a soloist he was invited to be the first bass trombonist to have a residency with Quad City
Arts, performing recitals and informances for groups ranging from Kindergarten to senior citizens. In 1997 Mr. Rojak gave
several master classes in Japan which included students from their most prestigious conservatories. He has been adjudicator
for Concert Artists Guild, the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition, and the Manhattan School of Music Concerto competition
He received a BM from Juilliard and was a fellowship student at the Tanglewood and Waterloo Music
Festivals. His teachers have included John Coffey, Don Harwood, and Sam Pilafian. In addition to Juilliard and Aspen, he is
on the faculties of Rutgers University and Bard College.
Recent solo
recordings include "The Romantic Bass Trombone" with pianist Robert Koenig, Rhapsody for Bass Trombone and Strings by Eric
Ewazen with the Czech Radio Chamber Orchestra, and Walter Ross' Trombone Concerto No. 2 with the New York Chamber Symphony.
