DJ Rice

DJ Rice is a current D.M.A. student at the Eastman School of Music where he studies jazz trombone with Marshall Gilkes. As a professional musician and bandleader, he was invited to perform at the 2025 Jazz Education Network Conference with the DJ Rice Big Band, featuring Rosana Eckert. His writing has been featured on the Rob Parton 9+ record, Relentless (which he also played trombone on), the International Trombone Association Big Band (2022), and the Collin College Texas All Star Jazz Camp faculty and student big bands. He has performed and recorded with world
renown artists such as Brad Leali, Lyle Lovett, Bill Cunliffe, Geoffrey Keezer, Christian McBride, and Michael Dease. DJ was a finalist for the 2021, 2024, and 2026 UNT Jazz Trombone Day Competitions, where he was ranked 2nd place overall. He was also a finalist for the 2023 American Trombone Workshop, and a co-winner of the 2020 International Trombone
Association J.J. Johnson Competition. DJ has self-published an etude book called “Watch Your Language! 12 Advanced Jazz Etudes for the Professional Trombonist"
and has contributed both tenor and bass trombone etudes to the 2026 and 2027 TMEA All State Jazz repertoire. He previously taught at both UT Tyler and Collin College.