Ulman founded the New Mexico Jazz Workshop youth jazz ensemble program in 2002. The program continues to bring the finest mid-school and high school jazz musicians together from through out the Albuquerque metro area. Many past NMJW students have continued their jazz studies at prestigious university music programs. Christian Pincock, a fine avant-garde and jazz trombonist, was selected to take over the program in 2009. Ulman returned to assemble and direct a reunion ensemble for the NMJW's summer concert series in 2010.
Ulman continues to tour with Transit and performs in the Groovin Higher Orchestra based in Tacoma, WA. Before moving to Gig Harbor, Ulman was a featured soloist with the Albuquerque Jazz Orchestra, Tapestry, Charanga del Valle, and the NDI Orchestra. He also lead and performed with a variety of jazz ensembles in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. He has performed with the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra and Santa Fe Pro Musica.
Ulman lived in Tucson, Arizona for nine years where he performed regularly with the Tucson Jazz Orchestra, the Tucson Pops Orchestra and subbed occasionally with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra. Before moving to Tucson, Ulman spent a year as featured trombone soloist with the Spokane Jazz Orchestra. While working on his masters at Portland State University, Ulman performed with a number of Portland area professional big bands, including the Woody Hite Big Band. He also held the second trombone chair with the Columbia Symphony Orchestra and played in Portland Opera backstage banda ensembles.
Ulman holds a degree in trombone performance from the University of Idaho's Lionel Hampton School of Music and a masters of science in teaching from Portland State University. While a doctoral candidate at the University of Arizona, Ulman taught orchestration, jazz arranging and directed small and large jazz ensembles. Ulman has judged jazz, marching band and solo/ensemble festivals for over 16 years. He directed the 2nd New Mexico All-State Jazz Ensemble (2005). He has served the International Association for Jazz Education as a panelist (2001) and South Central Regional committee member (2003-05) and was an active member of the New Mexico chapter of the IAJE.
Ulman's Gear
My trombone of choice was custom made by Edwards Instrument Co and hand selected with professional assistance from Christian Greigo. Christian is amazing. His knowledge of trombones and mouthpieces is extensive. It was a pleasure selecting this horn with his professional guidance.
I perform on the Edwards Jazz Trombone T302. My custom set-up includes: a 9177CF tempered yellow brass bell with an unsoldered rim, yellow brass neckpipe and single radius yellow brass tuning slide. I chose the T-302-3N-S slide with a .508" single bore, nickel outer tubes and a single radius endcrook. A T2 Silver leadpipe completes the horn. I've used the same Gold Plated Stork Custom T2 (heavy) mouthpiece for close to 20 years.
I love this instrument. It's so versatile. I've tried out a lot of different horns. I played on a 70's vintage King 3B through my masters degree and switched to a classic Elkhart Conn 24H made in the mid 30's. I also have an Elkhart Conn 88H.
But on the Edwards, I feel at ease playing no matter what performing situation I find myself in. I perform in big bands, r&b bands, show bands, jazz combos and even have the power to bury the band when playing salsa. I used this set-up with Santa Fe Pro Musica. The horn received great compliments. It matched well with Debbie Taylor's alto trombone and the Edwards bass trombone set-up that Christian played. Debbie Taylor, principal trombonist with the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, liked the horn so much that she ordered an exact copy. Debbie teaches trombone at the University of New Mexico and also plays Edwards trombones.
Ulman has appeared with the following artists:
Al Grey, Carl Fontana, Slide Hampton, Bill Watrous, Rob McConnell, Jon Fedchock, Tom Ervin, Steve Wiest, Wynton Marsalis, Bobby Shew, Wayne Bergeron, Warren Vache, Mike Vax, Dmitri Matheny, Lew Tabakin, Nick Brignola, Doug Lawrence, Glenn Kostur, Pete Christlieb, New York Voices, Marlena Shaw, Betty Buckley, Karrin Allyson, Anne Hampton Calloway, Chris Calloway, Kevin Mahogany, Olivia Newton-John, Regis Philbin, Susan Luci, Don Rickles, Robert Goulet, Manny Potemkin, Bernadette Peters, Johnny Mathis, Rick Springfield, Paul Anka, Lou Christie, Bobby Rydell, Fabian, The Four Tops, The Temptations, The Platters, The O'Jays, Steve Record and Finis Henderson.
Ulman has studied trombone with Jeff Uusitalo (Stan Kenton Alum), Prof. Bob Spevacek (University of Idaho-retired), Dr. Ron Babcock (Portland State University), Prof. Tom Ervin (University of Arizona-retired) and has taken private lessons with or attended master classes presented by Carl Fontana, Al Grey, Bill Watrous, Jimmy Knepper, and Jiggs Whigham.