2016-2017 Season

Kevin McManus, The Collective Jazz Octet

Kevin M. McManus holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education from Penn State University, a Graduate Performer’s Certificate from SUNY Purchase Conservatory and a Master‘s Degree from Carnegie Mellon University.

Mr. McManus has performed on Broadway in New York City and completed two First National Tours of the shows “Urinetown: the Musical” and “Little Women the Broadway Musical.” In the summer of 2009, Mr. McManus was a featured soloist in Pittsburgh’s Civic Light Opera production of Swing! Kevin was also featured alongside of Dick Nash, Bill Wartrous, Bill Tole, George Roberts and Harry Betts at the 2009 NAMM show in Anaheim, California. He has performed with such artists as: Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra Jr., Josh Groban, Wayne Newton, Frankie Vallie and The Four Seasons, Aretha Franklin, Pattie LaBelle, Glen Campbell, Maureen McGovern, Isaac Hayes, Lou Rawls, Gloria Gaynor, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Don Rickles, Regis Philban, Joan Rivers and The Manhattan Transfer.

He has performed with the Pittsburgh and Wheeling Symphony Orchestras and the River City and Reunion Brass Bands. Mr. McManus is the founder and leader of: The Bone Forum, a jazz 10 trombone ensemble with rhythm section, The Collective Jazz Octet, a swingin’ eight piece jazz ensemble, and The Pittsburgh Trombone Project, one of America’s premier chamber music ensembles.

Kevin can be seen internationally on PBS’s “My Music” and “American Soundtrack Series.” He has an active touring schedule and can frequently be heard across America with The Four Tops, The Temptations and The Latshaw Productions Pops Orchestra. In 2011, Mr. McManus gave the world premiere of Todd Goodman’s “Concert for Trombone and Piano.” The Goodman Concerto was written for Kevin and has since won first prize in The British Trombone Society’s 2012 Concerto Competition.

Mr. McManus is currently on the faculties of Seton Hill and Frostburg State Universities, Westminster College, Westmoreland County Community College and The Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School. Kevin has also served on the faculty of Waynesburg University.