Brian Folkes
Band Co-Founder
Music Director & Arranger

A mid-century baby boomer from the San Fernando Valley, Brian Folkes was assigned a trombone in the fifth grade. After being bitten by the composition and arranging bug, he went on to study at Cal State University Northridge and at The Dick Groove Music Institute.

As a musician, he has performed in community, school, and professional ensembles, as well as done freelance and pit orchestra work. He has played at the Hollywood Bowl, The Rose Parade, The Shrine Auditorium, and at the 2015 Super Bowl; and in such films as Parallax View and Hello Dolly. As a composer/arranger/orchestrator, Brian’s focus is film scoring, arranging classical, jazz, rock and electronic music. He scored his first film, The Pond, in 1979.

Brian’s trombone influences include Urbie Green, J.J. Johnson and Frank Rosolino. His arranging aesthetic leans toward the classic sounds of the ’60s and ’70s, including Chicago, Blood Sweat & Tears, and Tower of Power. His charts have a bit of an edge from studying composition and modern jazz… and appreciating Stephen Sondheim.