James Pugh is a noted performer, educator and composer. He is currently principal trombonist of the EOS, Concordia and New York FILMHarmonic orchestras and serves on the faculty of the University of Illinois School of Music. He has performed and recorded with, among others, the Woody Herman Band, Chick Corea, Andre Previn, James Taylor, Kathleen Battle, Joe Lovano and Harry Connick Jr and is the only recipient of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences Virtuoso Award for trombone.