My HISTORY.

A captivating Chicago based, Jazz trombonist, educator, and composer. Kirby Fellis is insightful, passionate, & spontaneous, yet boisterous. His music is reflective of his Caribbean-American roots & embraces the essence of his life. Kirby has spent more than a decade performing alongside some of the most celebrated musicians in jazz and beyond.

Kirby holds a B.M. in Jazz Studies from Michigan State University and an M.M. in Jazz Studies from Northern Illinois University, where he studied under trombone luminaries Tom Garling, Michael Dease, and Andre Hayward. His versatility and technical command on the horn have earned him recognition from Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Illinois Music Education Association, Jazz Aspen Snowmass, the Detroit Jazz Festival, the Chicago Jazz Festival, and many others. As a performer, Kirby has appeared with icons such as Darius Rucker, Common, Kurt Elling, Nate Smith, Sean Jones, Terrell Stafford, Rodney Whitaker, and Jennifer Hudson. His work with ensembles like the Danny Jonokuchi Big Band, Derek Gardner and the Jazz Prophets, IRIS, Chicago Philharmonic, The Tom Garling Jazz Orchestra and the legendary Count Basie Orchestra has solidified his reputation as one of Chicago’s most sought-after trombonists, regularly touring and recording across the country. An equally passionate educator, Kirby is a committed member of the Jazz Education Network (JEN), the International Trombone Association (ITA), Birch Creek Music Performance Center, and the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra’s jazz program. Guided by master educators Rodney Whitaker, Ron Carter, Reggie Thomas, and Christopher Dorsey, Kirby has crafted a teaching philosophy rooted in mentorship, versatility, and lifelong musicianship. He brings this approach to clinics, masterclasses, adjudication, and consultations nationwide. Kirby currently serves as LEAD faculty fellow at Harper College and Instructor of Jazz Trombone at both the University of Illinois at Chicago and Northern Illinois University. Whether on stage or in the classroom, his mission is to inspire the next generation of musicians’ while advancing the rich legacy of jazz.