Current Members
Jonathan Randazzo
Principal Trombone, SLSO
Jonathan Randazzo is the Principal Trombonist of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, a position he has held since 2023. He previously served as Assistant Principal Trombone of the North Carolina Symphony for 11 years and held key roles with the Santa Fe Opera. An accomplished soloist, he made his SLSO solo debut in the 2024–25 season performing Joseph Turrin’s Fandango for solo trumpet, trombone, and orchestra. In addition to his performing career, Randazzo is a dedicated educator, having taught at North Carolina State University and presenting masterclasses at top institutions including the New England Conservatory, Boston Conservatory, and DePaul University. A founding member of the Southwest Trombone Conference, he has studied with distinguished mentors such as Joseph Alessi, Norman Bolter, and James Markey, and attended The Juilliard School Pre-College program. Jonathan is a Edwards Instruments and Greg Black Mouthpiece Artist.
Amanda Stewart
Associate Principal Trombone, SLSO
Amanda Stewart has served as Associate Principal Trombonist of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra since 2014. A native of Oakland, Maryland, she began trombone at age six, later studying with Harold Hudnall, Dr. H. Keith Jackson, and Joseph Alessi at The Juilliard School. She previously held positions with the San Antonio Symphony, Lyric Opera of San Antonio, and New York Philharmonic, and has performed with leading orchestras including the Boston Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, and many others. A member of STL Trombones, she has also appeared with Burning River Brass, the San Antonio Brass, and as a soloist and festival artist worldwide. Dedicated to education, Stewart teaches at Washington University in St. Louis, has held faculty positions at several universities including Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, and frequently presents masterclasses at top conservatories. She is an Edwards artist, performing on Edwards trombones and Griego mouthpieces.
Jonathan Reycraft
Second Trombone/Utility, SLSO
Originally from the New York tri-state area, Jonathan Reycraft grew up drawing connections between the city’s sounds and those of the orchestra, beginning his musical journey on violin through the Suzuki method before discovering the trombone in high school. He joined the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra as Utility Trombone in 2006 after serving eight years as Assistant Principal Trombone with the U.S. Naval Academy Band. Reycraft has performed with the Baltimore and National Symphony Orchestras, and as a soloist with the SLSO and Atlantic Wind Symphony. A dedicated advocate for low brass music, he performs with the Trombones of the St. Louis Symphony, and teaches at Washington University and St. Louis University. He earned degrees from Indiana University and the University of Maryland. Outside of music, he enjoys fatherhood, fitness, the outdoors, and cheers for both the Cardinals and the Yankees.
Christopher Bassett
Bass Trombone, SLSO
Christopher Bassett was appointed Bass Trombone of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra in 2025 after previous positions with the Jacksonville Symphony, Santa Fe Opera, and San Francisco Symphony. He holds degrees from the New England Conservatory and Columbus State University, studying with James Markey and Dr. Bradley Palmer. A co-founder of the Southwest Trombone Conference, he is an active soloist, clinician, and guest artist, with appearances across the U.S., Mexico, Korea, and residencies at Indiana University and the University of Florida. He is a performing artist for Edwards Instrument Co., Peck Custom Designs, and Ultimate Brass, which produces his signature mouthpiece line, and his recordings include Tres Amigos with the Santa Fe Trombones and his debut solo album In Dreams (2025). Bassett lives in St. Louis with his wife, SLSO violinist Siyu Zhang.
Former Members
Timothy Myers
Principal Trombone, SLSO (retired)
Timothy Myers enjoyed a long career with the St. Louis Symphony, performing under four music directors and appearing on more than fifty recordings with the orchestra. He joined the SLSO in 1983 and served as Principal Trombone from 1997 until his retirement, appearing as soloist on both trombone and euphonium, most recently in Christopher Rouse’s Trombone Concerto. Beyond the SLSO, he performed with the Chicago Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, and Minnesota Orchestra, and appeared at major festivals including Aspen, Sun Valley, and Strings in the Mountains. A founding member of The Trombones of the Saint Louis Symphony and co-founder of the Saint Louis Low Brass Collective, Myers has been a strong advocate for chamber music and low brass education. He also maintained a distinguished teaching career at Washington University in St. Louis and several regional universities, in addition to mentoring countless private students. An active champion of new music, he premiered numerous works, performed with ensembles such as Alarm Will Sound, HEARding Cats, and the Symphonic Supertrio, and commissioned music from composers including Martin Kennedy and Adam Maness. A graduate of Northwestern University and student of Frank Crisafulli, Myers lives in St. Louis with his wife, SLSO violinist Dana Edson Myers, and together they have two cellist sons, Peter and Henry.
Vanessa Fralick
Associate Principal Trombone, Toronto Symphony
Vanessa Fralick joined the Toronto Symphony Orchestra as Associate Principal Trombone in 2013. Before that, Ms. Fralick played three seasons as Acting Associate Principal Trombone of the St. Louis Symphony. She won her first orchestral position with the San Antonio Symphony in 2009, while pursuing her Master’s degree at The Juilliard School. She has performed with major orchestras in the Netherlands, San Francisco, Montreal, Boston, Malaysia, Utah, and Jacksonville. She played two summers in the prestigious Verbier Festival Orchestra in Switzerland. An active educator, Vanessa is on faculty at the University of Toronto, National Youth Orchestra of Canada and the Inter-Provincial Music Camp. Vanessa also performs frequently as a soloist, most recently giving a recital at the International Women's Brass Conference 2024 in Japan. During her time as a member of the Trombones of the St. Louis Symphony, the quartet recorded an album entitled "Fleur de Lis".
Steve Lange
Second Trombone, Boston Symphony
Stephen Lange has been a member of The Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops Orchestra since 2010. Previous positions have included Associate Principal Trombone of the Saint Louis Symphony and Assistant Principal Trombone/Second Trombone in the San Antonio Symphony. Mr. Lange has also performed with the New York Philharmonic and internationally toured with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Kennedy Opera House. He is also in demand as a clinician and soloist, presenting solo recitals and master classes worldwide. Mr Lange has been on the faculty of many of the top trombone festivals, such as the Cleveland Trombone Seminar, The Eastman Summer Trombone Institute, The Georgia Trombone Summit, and the Southeastern Trombone Symposium, as well as coachings with the New World Symphony.
Gerry Pagano
Bass Trombone, SLSO (retired)
Now in his fourth decade as a professional musician, Gerry Pagano has built a career that spans orchestral, chamber, jazz, and commercial performance. From his early beginnings in Georgia to advanced studies at The Juilliard School, he has performed with ensembles such as the Metropolitan Opera and San Francisco Ballet before joining the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra as bass trombonist in 1995. His work has taken him to leading festivals and concert stages across the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Latin America, while his teaching and masterclasses at universities nationwide reflect his commitment to education. A founding member of The Trombones of the St. Louis Symphony and co-founder of the St. Louis Low Brass Collective, he continues to advance the performance and appreciation of low brass through concerts, recordings, and outreach.