Artist: Luis Bonilla

Luis Bonilla is an American jazz trombonist. He is also a producer, composer, and educator. Luis Bonilla was born and raised in Eagle Rock, California to parents who had immigrated to the United States from Costa Rica. He was introduced to music and jazz while attending Eagle Rock High School in Los Angeles. Bonilla was enrolled in a 'brass class' (believing it to be a metal shop class) only to find himself learning to play trombone.

He studied music at California State University, Los Angeles, and earned a bachelor's degree in music.  After moving to New York City, he earned a master's degree in Jazz Performance and Composition from the Manhattan School of Music. 

Bonilla joined the Lester Bowie band as the group's trombonist, and continues to draw inspiration from Bowie, with whom he toured and recorded with extensively. He supported himself as a session musician and a sideman performing with McCoy Tyner, Dizzy Gillespie, Tom Harrell, Freddie Hubbard, Astrud Gilberto, Willie Colón, and Toshiko Akiyoshi.  

Bonilla demonstrated his versatility as a musician, working and recording with artists as varied as Tito Nieves, Phil Collins, Tony Bennett, Alejandro Sanz, Diana Ross, Marc Anthony, La India, and Mary J. Blige.