About this Artist

A native Berkeleyan, trombonist/composer/arranger and educator Remee Ashley developed a deep love for music through the nourishment and support of his mother, Jay Whittington, his church, St. Paul A.M.E., and his experience in the music programs in Berkeley's public schools. Exploring his love for music introduced him to the trombone at the age of nine, where he continued his music journey performing with various ensembles including the Berkeley High Jazz Ensemble, Berkeley High Chamber Winds, the SFJazz All-Stars Big Band, the Jazzschool Studio Big Band, and the 2016 Grammy Band Ensemble. In 2016, Remee moved to New York to attend the Manhattan School of Music. During his time there, while pursuing both his Bachelors and Masters degrees, he performed at Dizzy’s Coca Cola, the Apollo Theatre, Carnegie Hall, and the Birdland Jazz Club alongside critically acclaimed musicians including Billy Childs, Joe Lavano, Jon Faddis, Arturo O’Farrill, Terence Blanchard, and Paquito D’Rivera and performed at the 2021 New York Fashion Week under the direction of LaQuan Smith. Mr. Ashley has recently graduated with both of those degrees, and will be returning to California to pursue his Doctorate of Jazz Studies at the University of Southern California starting in the Fall of 2022.