Bud Holmes

Tuba

Bud Holmes, a versatile tuba player, has embarked on a musical journey as an orchestral musician, military bandsman, and even a stint as a U.S. Park Ranger jazz musician. In New Orleans, Bud immersed himself in the city’s rich musical culture, performing with renowned bands like the Treme Brass Band and Panorama Jazz Band. As the house tuba player for the Arrowhead Jazz Band at New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, in their daily shows he had the opportunity to perform alongside many of the city’s prominent musicians and record on “Remembering 300”, an album commemorating New Orleans’ 300th anniversary with artists such as Nicholas Payton and Gabriel Amargant among other luminaries. Bud led a brass band program in the Lower 9th Ward for kids to learn the traditional way, sitting side by side, learning by ear, with the historied and esteemed professional brass bands of the city.

Before his five Mardi Gras, Bud held several tenured positions, including Principal Tuba with the Asheville Symphony Orchestra, Tuba Professor at Mars Hill University, and Principal Tuba of the United States Air Force Heritage of America Band. His military service saw him perform in over 250 concerts across the nation and at high-profile events such as Presidential inaugurations and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. Bud’s orchestral experience features performances with numerous symphony orchestras including the Pittsburgh, Charlotte, and New World Symphony orchestras and multiple appearances at Carnegie Hall with the Carnegie Mellon Philharmonic. Throughout his career, he has shared the stage with world-class artists, including Joshua Bell, Midori, Arturo Sandoval and Chaka Khan.

Bud’s educational background includes degrees from Carnegie Mellon and Lynn Conservatory, where he studied with Craig Knox of Center City Brass and Ken Amis of Empire Brass. He also attended Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where studied with Timothy Northcut of Summit Brass. Bud toured with the American Wind Symphony Orchestra (AWSO) in 2007. He and Willie Clark formed the tuba section on multiple AWSO recordings released on the CF Peters Label. Throughout his career, Bud has made it a hobby to seek out and learn from the world’s great tuba players. He has had lessons with: Alan Baer, Warren Deck, Steve Dumaine, Sam Pilafian, Daniel Perantoni, Lee Hipp, JaTtik Clark, Mike Gross, Jacomo Bairos, Michael Thorton, Toby Hanks, Ron Bishop, Ron Davis, Aubrey Foard, Gene Pokorny, and Harvey Phillips.