Bio

Kolbe is an active performing artist in the Eastern Iowa region. He is a recent graduate of The University of Iowa with a B.M. in Trombone Performance and B.B.A. in Accounting. Kolbe has performed with Jim McDonough and his Orchestra, Blake Shaw’s Big(ish) Band, and the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band, among others. In addition, Kolbe has played with the Vivian Shanley Quartet and Joey Schnoebelen Quintet, who have been featured live on the jazz radio station 88.3 KCCK. He currently serves as Principal Trombonist of the Iowa Brass Band and performs with the national touring King's Brass led by Tim Zimmerman.

In 2023, Kolbe was selected into the prestigious Jazz Aspen Snowmass Academy led by the Frost School of Music, under the direction of Christian McBride. Also in 2023, as a member of the West Slides Quartet, the group advanced as a semifinalist in the Thailand International Trombone Festival Ensemble Division. Kolbe also ​competed as a semifinalist in both the solo and excerpt competitions at the Southeast Trombone Symposium in Columbus, GA. Lastly, Kolbe was selected as a member of both the Jazz Band of America and Honor Band of America.

​

In 2024, as a member of the Clinton Street Quartet, the group finished second alternate in the highly competitive International Trombone Association's 2024 Trombone Quartet Competition. Also in 2024, Kolbe finished runner-up for the Band of the West Air Force Band at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX and was a finalist for the Heritage Band of America Air Force Band at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA.