Musicians Behind the Scenes: Trombonist Jack Grimm
December 4, 2025
Where were you born? I was born in Fairfax county, Northern Virginia.
What piece of music could you play over and over again? Anything from Wagner’s Ring Cycle.
What is your most treasured possession? A tennis ball from the 2022 U.S. Open signed by Carlos Alcaraz.
Tell us about your instrument. Right now, my horn is a brand-new trombone from Edwards instrument company. Over the summer I spent two days in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, trying out different bells, tuning slides, hand slides, valves, and metals to find something that would be the perfect fit for me. I even took two bells to try with the Orchestra over our summer season before landing on something that feels right for me.
If you could ask one composer one question, what would it be? I would ask Gustav Mahler what the inspiration was for the short violin solo in measure 612 in the last movement of his Second Symphony (“Resurrection”). Listening to that always leaves me awestruck that he had the creativity to write such a unique and touching moment after composing more than an hour of some of the greatest music ever written.
What piece of music never fails to move you? The Prelude to Act I of Wagner’s Lohengrin.
When did you join the Orchestra? In November 2024.
Do you play any other instruments? Euphonium, bass trumpet, bass trombone, and on the more amateur side of things, piano, trumpet, and tuba.
What are you reading right now? Sound in Motion by David McGill.
What do you like to do in your spare time? Play tennis, hike, run, go to coffee shops, and watch football.
In your opinion, is there a piece of music that isn’t in the standard orchestral repertoire that should be? The Tempest by Tchaikovsky is rarely performed, but in my opinion it’s one of his best works and can stand up to any Strauss tone poem.
What’s the first album you ever bought or downloaded? Center:Level:Roar by Youngblood Brass Band.
What’s your go-to karaoke song? “Love on Top” by Beyoncé.
Other than Marian Anderson Hall, where is your favorite place to perform? Probably a very stereotypical answer, but it’s hard to beat Carnegie Hall in terms of the history that one gets to be a part of performing there.
What advice would you give to aspiring young musicians? You can separate your drive, dedication, and ambition in music from a need to “make it” as a full-time musician. Some of my most productive months musically were when I was also studying LSAT materials and considering applying to law school.
What’s in your instrument case? A pencil (hopefully), a metrotuner, my laptop, some Clif Bars, my mouthpiece, slide lubrication, two types of valve oil, sometimes a trombone stand, a 12-sided die with all the different keys/notes on it, a snake for cleaning the instrument, and three etude books (Tyrell, Lew Gillis, and Brahms/Chevallier for all the trombone nerds out there)—it’s pretty jam packed!
What’s your favorite Philadelphia restaurant? Probably Sura Indian Bistro on Chestnut St.
What do you love most about Philadelphia? The walkability! And the proximity to my family on the East Coast.
What’s your favorite food? It’s a tie between quesabirria and a peanut butter and Nutella sandwich.
What is the most challenging piece you have ever played? The alto trombone part of Mozart’s great Mass in C minor is no joke.
What do you love most about performing? Probably the meeting of the minds that happens when you play with other extremely sensitive and aware musicians.
Do you speak any other languages? I’m trying to learn French.
What’s your favorite movie? Pirates of the Caribbean.
What’s on your Spotify playlist? Which one? My two current go-to playlists are based around Sabrina Carpenter and Count Basie, respectively.
When was the first time you heard The Philadelphia Orchestra? In 2022 I heard the Orchestra perform Holst’s The Planets with Marin Alsop. It was surreal to be able to perform that work with her at the podium this summer in Saratoga.
What is your favorite memory with the Orchestra? Probably performing Verdi’s Requiem in Saratoga this summer. It was a very special night and unbelievable that we put on a show like that in one rehearsal.