From September 1989 to September 1991 and again from June 1997 to August 2001, Wayne Coniglio was bass trombonist, soloist and contributing writer for the legendary Ray Charles. Ray toured the world many times over, headlining at just about all of the major music festivals. During his time with Ray, Wayne began playing his Yamaha Bass Trombone in the section and as soloist.
From 1985 to 1987 and again from 1996 to 2003, Wayne lived and gigged in New York City.
Since 2003, Wayne has been freelancing in St. Louis, MO, enjoying much success as a first-call trombone and bass trombone player at The Fabulous Fox Theatre and The Muny as well as with other theater orchestras. He has performed with the St. Louis Symphony, The American Kantorei, Gateway Festival Orchestra, Jim Widner Big Band and many others. Wayne is a member of Elsie Parker and The Poor People of Paris as a string bass player as well as the Clarion Brass and Gateway Brass Quintet, which perform frequently. Wayne was chief arranger for the Kevin Kline Awards show in Saint Louis from 2006 to 2009.
In May 2016, Wayne was asked to prepare an entire night's worth of transcriptions and perform "A Night with Ray Charles" tribute with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.
As a jazz artist, Wayne has developed a unique and facile technique on bass trombone. He started on piano and trombone in fourth grade and gravitated toward other instruments, including clarinet, saxophone and trumpet. Wayne benefitted from a couple of very strong choir programs in grade school and high school. He is able to draw from many sources when it comes to improvisation, and his earlier influences were John Coltrane, Thad Jones, Frank Zappa, Phil Woods, McCoy Tyner, Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson and many more. He has performed repeatedly with the Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra, Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Chico O'Farrill Latin Jazz Dream Band, Pratt Brothers Big Band, The Poor People of Paris, Scott Whitfield Jazz Orchestra East and Hard Bop Heritage. Wayne has also appeared on numerous recordings and DVDs.
Wayne works on many projects as performer, writer and producer. He enjoys having a private teaching studio where he can relay his vast professional experience and ideas to deserving young artists.
