Neil Konouchi
Neil Konouchi has been freelancing on tuba in Tennessee since arriving Nashville in 2002. Neil attended the University of Southern California where he studied with legendary studio tuba players Tommy Johnson and Jim Self. After a short time playing tuba and bass trombone at Walt Disney World, he was encouraged to finish his degree at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he was selected to perform and tour with jazz great Phil Wilson’s big band.
Since moving to Nashville, Neil has had the opportunity play with the Nashville Symphony, the Chattanooga Symphony, and has been a touring member of Mr. Jack Daniel’s Original Silver Cornet Band. He can be heard on many studio recordings, as well as the Nashville Symphony’s 2007 live recording of Pictures at an Exhibition, conducted by Leonard Slatkin. He has played for artists including Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Kim Carnes, Donald Lawrence, The Supremes, hit songwriter Greg Barnhill, and several others. Neil also performed with gospel group Trin-i-tee 5:7 on their Dove Award-winning single “Listen” in 2008.
Neil is a founding member of Nashville’s own second-line funky brass band, Halfbrass. Halfbrass plays private parties/weddings/receptions and has performed at events for ASCAP, BMI, Berklee College of Music, Paragon Studios, and Country Radio Seminar. The band toured the Northeastern US in 2003 where they were the opening act for Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.
In addition to performing, Neil is an active low brass teacher and is a staff member for award-winning bands at Walton High School (Marietta, GA) and Father Ryan High School (Nashville, TN).