Daily Inspiration: Meet Doug Tidaback

Today we’d like to introduce you to Doug Tidaback.

Hi Doug, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Doug Tidaback is an accomplished American trombonist, euphonium player, educator, and band director based in Colorado. Here’s a breakdown of his career:

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🎶 Professional Musician & Performer
• Performs trombone/euphonium with ensembles including the Littleton Symphony, Arapahoe Philharmonic, Nobó Hoboes, and Bourbon Street Stompers .
• Has toured and performed with prestigious groups and artists like the Chicago Jazz Orchestra, Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, The Temptations, The Supremes, Harry Connick Jr., and the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra .

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🏆 Educator & Band Director
• Currently serves as Director of Bands and Low Brass at Arapahoe Community College in Littleton, CO, and leads the Colorado Jazz Ambassadors .
• Founded and directed multiple jazz organizations: Heartland Jazz Orchestra, Arizona Jazz Academy, Tucson Jazz Institute, and Colorado Jazz Ambassadors .
• Led ensembles to award-winning performances at national festivals including Essentially Ellington, Next Generation Jazz Festival, Fullerton College Jazz Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Montreal Jazz Festival .
• Taught at various institutions such as University of Illinois, Bradley University, San Jose State, University of Arizona, Hartnell College, West Valley College, and ACC .

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🎓 Academic Background
• Bachelor’s in Trombone Performance and Jazz Pedagogy from University of Illinois
• Master’s in Music Technology & Recording Arts from San Jose State University
• Doctoral work in Music Education and Trombone Performance at University of Arizona .

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🥇 Achievements & Contributions
• Produced over 70 albums for ensembles like the Australian National Wind Orchestra, Tucson Jazz Institute, and Heartland Jazz Orchestra .
• Organized five European jazz tours and numerous performances across Italy, France, Switzerland, Spain, Asia, and more .

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In summary, Doug Tidaback is a highly respected jazz musician and educator with deep roots in both performance and music education, particularly in the Colorado area—leading college bands, community ensembles, and youth jazz programs with national acclaim.

I moved here during the pandemic to be close to and support my mother who was in declining health.

I began teaching beginning band in 5 Douglas County elementary schools in 2021 and playing in the Littleton Symphony and the Symphony of the Rockies in 2022.

I founded the Colorado Jazz Ambassadors, a supplemental Jazz education for the youth of the South Metro area in 2023. I began directing the Jazz Bands and Concert Band at Arapahoe Community College in 2024 and moved the Colorado Jazz Ambassadors to ACC in 2025 as part of their community education programs.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Everyone has challenges along the way. By overcoming those challenges one develops skills, strategies and a knowledge base.
The following illustrates just one of these challenges:

When working on a Masters Degree at San Jose State University I was a teaching assistant for the Jazz Program. All of the music teaching assistants were let go after the Fall semester because the director of the school of music had misappropriated the funds that were meant to pay the 8 teaching assistants. Despite the school of music director being fired, the teaching assistants paid the price by being dismissed.

I was a single father at the time and left in an untenable situation. I decided to sue the university and took my case to the California State Board of control. The other teaching assistants were afraid to join me because of fear of retribution by the school of music. And indeed a number of full time teachers gave me a difficult time recommending that I be dropped from the Masters Program and one teacher retroactively changed my Music history grade from an A to a D giving them an academic reason to drop me from the program. To make a longer story shorter, I won my suit against the university, awarded twice the money that I was asking for and was fully reinstated to the Masters Program that I eventually earned a degree from.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Doug Tidaback
5318 South Fox Street Unit 203
Littleton, CO 80120
tidaback@gmail.com
520-392-6226
Education
1985-1989 California State University, San Jose’- Master of Arts
Trombone Performance/Music Technology/Recording Arts
1980- 1985 Naropa University, Boulder Colorado- Non degree studies
Jazz and Contemplative Studies.
1976-1982 University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign- Bachelor of Music
Trombone Performance/Jazz Pedagogy
Private Teachers
Dr. Thomas Streeter, Illinois Wesleyan University
Dr. Robert Grey, University of Illinois
Dr. Tom Senf, University of Illinois
Dan Perantoni, Indiana University
Ed Kleinhammer, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Bob Szabo, California State University San Jose’
Julian Priester, Cornish Institute of the Allied Arts, Naropa Institute
Mark Lawrence, San Francisco Symphony
Elliot Chasanov, University of Illinois
Tom Ervin, University of Arizona
Additional Studies
Brother David Steindl-Rast- Immaculate Heart Monastery
Father Thomas Keating- Centering Prayer
Mother Tessa Bielecki, Carmelite Spiritual Life Institute
Ray Brown, Cabrillo College Jazz Improvisation
Joe Henderson, California State University, Jazz Improvisation
Roscoe Mitchell, Jazz Improvisation
John Garvey, University of Illinois, Jazz Conducting/Pedagogy
Ray Sasaki, University of Texas, Jazz Improvisation
Charlie Haden, Naropa University, Liberation Orchestra
Instruments
Trombone, Trumpet, Euphonium, Guitar, Piano, Drums/Percussion, Sitar
Collegiate Teaching Experience
2024-Present Arapahoe Community College, Littleton, Colorado
Duties: Director of Jazz Bands, Wind Ensemble and Low Brass Instructor
1996-2001 Heartland College, Bloomington, Illinois
Adjunct Professor of Music
Duties Included: Founding and directing the Heartland Jazz Orchestra I and II. Taught
Jazz History, Group Guitar Class, Jazz Combo.
1996-1997 Sabbatical Replacement
Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, Illinois
Duties Included- Directing Jazz Band I and II, teaching applied trombone/euphonium
studio.
1987-1988 Hartnell College, Salinas, California
Sabbatical Replacement
Duties Included: Directing Concert Band, Concert Choir, Jazz Band Teaching music
business, recording techniques, group piano, guitar class.
1986-1987 West Valley College, Saratoga, California
Sabbatical Replacement
Duties Included: Directing Jazz Band, teaching Jazz Improvisation, Group Piano.
1985-1986 California State University, San Jose’- GTA
Duties Included: Directing Jazz Band, Coaching Jazz Combos
1981-1983 Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois
Jazz Band Director
Duties Included: Directing Jazz Band I and II, Coaching Jazz Combos
1980-1982 University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Undergraduate Assistantship
Duties Included: Directing Jazz Band, producing albums, booking and organizing
tours
Public and Private School Teaching Experience
2021-Present Douglas County Schools
Band Director
Duties Include: Recruit, organize and direct bands at Timber Trail, Soaring Hawk,
Buffalo Ridge, Clear Sky and Meadow View Elementary Schools.
2021-Present Colorado Jazz Ambassadors
Director
Duties: Direct Big Bands and Combos, Organize and Lead Tours
2008-2019 The Tucson Jazz Institute Tucson, Arizona
Founding Director
Duties Include: Direct five jazz big bands. Hire and supervise music staff. Create jazz
workshops. Produce concerts and recordings. Recruit students. Produce jazz concerts, community events and
annual jazz festival. Maintain recording studio and teach recording arts Lead and organize tours Assist with
fundraising
2001-2019 The Arizona Jazz Academy- Tucson, Arizona
Director and Founder
Duties Include: Direct four jazz big bands, 3 combos. Hire and supervise music staff.
Create jazz workshops. Produce concerts and recordings. Recruit students. Produce jazz concerts, community
events and annual jazz festival. Maintain recording studio and teach recording arts. Lead and organize tours
including Europe 2001, 2006, 2011, 2014. Assist with fundraising
1994-2001 Central Catholic High School, Bloomington, Illinois
Music Supervisor, Director of Instrumental Music
Duties Included: Create and administrate Instrumental, Vocal and General Music
Programs for high school, middle schools and grade schools. Write curriculum. Hire and supervise teachers.
Directed Concert Band, Pep Band, Jazz Bands, Jazz Combos. Taught Recording Techniques/Music Business,
supervised recording studio, produced CD’s for school music programs. Taught Music History. Direct
musicals: Sound of Music, West Side Story, Oklahoma, The Wizard of Oz, Jesus Christ Superstar.
1990-1993 Aptos High School, Aptos, California
Director of Instrumental Music
Duties Included: Directing Concert Band, Pep Band, Jazz bands, Jazz Combos. Taught
Recording Techniques/Music Business. Produce CD’s
1988-1992 Bonny Doon School, Bonny Doon, California
K-6 Instrumental/General Music
Duties Included: Creating and directing Concert Band, Jazz Band Classroom/Vocal
Music K-6. Summer Band Program
Additional Teaching Experience
Jazz at Lincoln Center Essentially Ellington Clinician 2014-Present
Jazz Educators Network (JEN) Clinician 2014-2015
Arizona Senior Academy- Taught Jazz History 2003, 2004
Illinois Summer Youth Music- Summers 1980, 81, 82, 83, 94, 95, 2001
Birch Creek Music Center, Door County, Wisconsin- Summer 1996, 1997, 1998
Pacific Honor Concert Band, Director 1991, 1992, 1993.
Central Coast Section Honor Jazz Band, Director 1992, 1993
Selected Group Awards as a Director
2016-17 Downbeat Magazine Outstanding Performance High School Large Ensemble
2015 Downbeat Magazine Outstanding High School Composition “Soulful Lee”
2015 Downbeat Magazine Outstanding Performance High School Large Ensemble
2014 Downbeat Magazine Outstanding Performance High School Large Ensemble
2010, 2012, 2013, Downbeat Magazine 1st Place High School Large Ensemble
2018 Essentially Ellington 3rd Place
2017 Essentially Ellington 1st Place
2016 Essentially Ellington 2nd Place
2015 Essentially Ellington 2nd Place
2014 Essentially Ellington 1stPlace
2013 Essentially Ellington 1stPlace
2012 Essentially Ellington 1st Place High School Community Big Band
2010 Essentially Ellington 1st Place High School Community Big Band
1st Place High School Big Band Fullerton College Jazz Festival 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010,
2013, 2014
1st Place High School Jazz Combo Fullerton College Jazz Festival 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009,
2010, 2013, 2014
1st Place Big Band, 2005 Arizona Jazz Academy Jazz Ensembles, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival
1st Place University Jazz Big Band Fullerton College Jazz Festival 2003
2nd Place University Jazz Combo Fullerton College Jazz Festival 2003
1st Place University Jazz Band Fullerton College Jazz Festival 2002
Grand Champion Jazz Band, Western Illinois Jazz Festival 1999, 2001
Grand Champion Jazz Band Quincy Showcase of Excellence 2000, 2001
Grand Champion Jazz Combo, Western Illinois Jazz Festival 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001
Grand Champion Jazz Combo Quincy Showcase of Excellence 2000, 2001
1st Place Jazz Band, Eastern Illinois Jazz Festival 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001
1st Place Jazz Band and Jazz Combo Illinois State Jazz Festival 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001
1st Place Jazz Band Montreal Festival of Jazz 1998
1st Place Jazz Band New Orleans Jazz Festival 1997
Grand Champion College Band Western Illinois Jazz Festival 2000, 2001
2nd Place State of Illinois Sweepstakes Overall High School Music Program 2001
3rd Place State of Illinois Sweepstakes Overall High School Music Program 2000
Grand Champion Jazz Band Monterey Jazz Festival 1993
1st Place Jazz Band Reno International Jazz Festival 1993
1st Place Jazz Combo Reno International Jazz Festival 1992, 1993
1st Place Jazz Band and Jazz Combo Pittsburgh Jazz Festival 1993
1st Place Jazz Combo Notre Dame Jazz Festival 1982 (College/University)
1st Place Jazz Combo Elmhurst Jazz Festival 1982, 1995 (College/University)
Tours Led
2014 Tucson Jazz Institute Ellington and Basie Jazz Big Bands, Rome, Umbria, Madrid, Segovia, San
Sebastian and Vitoria Spain. Paris, Lyon, and Vienne France. Geneva and Montreux Switzerland.
2011 Tucson Jazz Institute Youth Jazz Ensembles, Rome, Umbria, Madrid, Segovia, San Sebastian and
Vittoria Spain. Paris and Vienne France. Geneva and Montreux Switzerland.
2010-2018 The Lincoln Center, New York, New York Performance of The Tucson Jazz Institute Ellington
Big Band.
2008, Arizona Jazz Academy Youth Jazz Ensembles Southwest Tour throughout Arizona, New Mexico and
Nevada culmination in a nationally televised performance in Las Vegas, Nevada for the MDA Jerry Lewis
Telethon.
2006 Arizona Jazz Academy Youth Jazz Ensembles, Madrid, Segovia, San Sebastian and Vittoria Spain.
Paris and Vienne France. Geneva and Montreux Switzerland.
2005 Arizona Jazz Academy Youth Jazz Ensembles, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, New Orleans,
Louisiana.
2004 Arizona Jazz Academy Youth Jazz Ensembles, Ensenada, Mexico.
2003 Arizona Jazz Academy Youth Jazz Ensembles, International Association of Jazz Educators feature
performance, Las Vegas, Nevada.
2003 University of Arizona Jazz Band, Fullerton Jazz Festival Fullerton, CA.
2003 Arizona Jazz Academy Youth Jazz Ensembles, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, New Orleans,
LA.
2002 University of Arizona Jazz Band, San Carlos, Mexico.
2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1995, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990 Performances at Disneyland or Disney
World with high school or elementary school bands.
2001 High School Jazz Band Performance Tour to Montreux. Switzerland, Paris, France. Performances at
the Vienne, Montreux and Brientz Jazz Festivals.
2000 High School Jazz and Concert Band Cruise. Grand Cayman Islands, Cancun , Mexico.
1999 High School Jazz and Concert Band Canada Tour. Quebec City, Montreal, Toronto. Performances at
the Montreal Jazz Festival, McGill University, Concordia University.
1998 High School Jazz and Concert Band Cruise. Royal Bahama Islands.
1997 High School Jazz and Concert Band tour to New Orleans. Performances at the New Orleans Jazz and
Heritage Festival and the University of New Orleans.
1996 High School Jazz and Concert Band tour to Washington D.C. and Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Professional Musical Experience
2020- Present The Arapahoe Philharmonic and The Littleton Symphony Trombone
1994-2005 The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra Lead Trombone.
2000- Millennium Celebration Performance Bangkok, Thailand. King of Thailand and The Jimmy Dorsey
Orchestra.
1984-1993 Principal Bass Trombone, Monterey Symphony, Monterey California.
The Santa Cruz Symphony, San Francisco Brass, The Monterey Brass Quintet, The Illinois Orchestra, Natalie
Cole, Aretha Franklin, Harry Connick Junior, Jack Jones, Mike Vax, Patty Page, The Supremes, The
Temptations, Frankie Avalon, Les Elgart, Michael Jackson Victory Tour, Champaign, Third World, Chicago
Jazz Members Big Band, Joe Williams, Arnet Cobb, Sandman Sims, Chambana Stompers, Rascals of
Ragtime, Heartland Jazz Orchestra, Myron Florin, The Pied Pipers and others.
Selected Individual Awards
National Association of Jazz Educators Award for Outstanding Service to Jazz Education 1981, 1982, 2003,
2005
Mary Case Scholarship 2003
Colton Family Trust Scholarship 2002-2003
Western Illinois Outstanding Teacher of the Year 1999, 2001
Outstanding Trombone Elmhurst Jazz Festival 1995, 1982
Outstanding Trombone Monterey Jazz Festival 1990
Outstanding Trombone Pacific Coast Jazz Festival 1988
Outstanding Trombone Notre Dame Jazz Festival 1982
Outstanding Trombone Wichita Jazz Festival 1982
Selected Recordings
“Every Day I Have The Blues” Dennis Rowland and The Ellington Big Band 2018
“Bojangles” Marcus Printup and The Ellington Big Band 2017
“Passing The Torch” Jimmy Heath and The Ellington Big Band 2016
“Live at The Berger Center” Ellington Big Band 2015
“I Like The Sunrise” TJI Ellington Big Band 2014
“Lightning” TJI Ellington Big Band 2013
“Things To Come” TJI Ellington Big Band 2012
“Swingin’ The Blues” Tucson Jazz Institute Ellington Big Band 2011
“The Kansas City Suite” The Arizona Jazz Orchestra 2010
“Live at The China Rose” The Arizona Roadrunners 2009
“Best of The Arizona Jazz Academy 2006”
“Best of The Arizona Jazz Academy 2004”
“May Day”- Chicago Jazz Orchestra (Chicago Jazz Members Big Band)
“Jazz Around The World”-The Illinois Jazz Orchestra
“Songs From The Heart”- Richard Allen
“Conference”- The New Watusi Jazz Unit
“Observations From The Gentle Star”- Gentle Star
“Echoes of Ellington”- The Heartland Jazz Orchestra
“Dream In Colour”- Bill McGurin/Doug Tidaback
“Live At The Coffeehouse”- The Heartland Jazz Orchestra
“The Australian National Wind Orchestra” (producer)
“Six Duets For Two Flutes”- Ray Fabrizio (producer)
“Hymns From The Savage Garden”- Boys Choir (producer)
Additional Related Experience
2019-Present Senior Quality Assurance Administrator, Fed Ex Ground Centennial Colorado
2001- 2008 Director and Founder of The Arizona Jazz Academy, Tucson, Arizona
2001- 2002 Director of Educational Programs, Tucson Jazz Society, Tucson, Arizona.
1987-1990 Orchestra Manager, Monterey Symphony Orchestra, Carmel, California
1985-1990 Board of Directors Santa Cruz Musicians Local 346, Santa Cruz, California.
1984-1986 Head Modern Dance Accompanist University of California, Santa Cruz.
1978-1980 Program Editor, National Federation of Community Broadcasters, Champaign, Illinois.
References
Larry Wilson, Admin Coordinator, Fed Ex Ground 303-5796526
Dr. Rodney Burton, Board Member Arizona Jazz Academy 520-954-3360
Professor Johnathan Black, Director of Big Bands Tucson Jazz Institute 520-461-7045
Tera Johnson, Musician/Educator, Castle Rock, Colorado 970-810-0728
Media
“Passing the Torch” Youtube Documentary on Jimmy Heath and The Tucson Jazz Institute
TJI Promotional- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgTlhf1PtvA
2015 EE Competition- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STEe0cU-1XA
2016 EE Competition- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLHKuGL-upY
2014 EE Competition- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy-uCTryLp8&list=RDiy-uCTryLp8
2008 Live at The Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY-0JGpf0tY

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
As our current system of education continues to be strangled due to budget cuts and the Department of Education facing elimination, there will be exponentially greater need for alternative educational programs designed to fill the void left by the disappearing and eliminated programs in our schools.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Dougtidaback.com
• Facebook: Colorado Jazz Ambassadors on Facebook

Image Credits
The Colorado Jazz Ambassadors Youth Jazz Program at the Las Vegas Essentially Ellington Festival at the University of Nevada Las Vegas in Las Vegas Nevada February 2025.