Established in 2022, Sokołowski Trombone Project is a jazz trombone ensemble based out of Tampa Bay, Florida. The Bone Band is made up of 4 trombonists and 3 rhythm section players. The band’s goals consist of promoting innovative arrangements for the trombone of popular jazz standards, while also aiming to contribute original and modern music in various different styles. 

STP won the International Trombone Association’s “Kai Winding Jazz Trombone Ensemble Competition” in 2023 as well, where the group was given a featured performance at the International Trombone Festival in Salt Lake City. Since then, the group has performed at various local venues such as The Palladium and the Timucua Arts Foundation. In 2025, STP released their first single “A Nostalgia” and their debut album “Summer Bloom.”

Bone Band Members

Filip Sokolowski (Composer, Trombone)

Filip is a professional jazz trombonist and composer based in the Tampa Bay Area of Florida, and is also an instructor teaching private lessons. He has been involved in the professional music scene since 2017 when he started attending college at the University of South Florida, after he graduated from Tarpon Springs High School. Filip has had many opportunities to play with many other phenomenal musicians, including Wycliffe Gordon, Bob Reynolds, John Clayton, and many more. He also studied under some very prolific composers and professors like Jack Wilkins, Chuck Owen, Mark Taylor and many more, including his trombone professor Tom Brantley. 

Filip has also been a part of creating a jazz trombone ensemble named the “Sokołowski Trombone Project”, which won first place in the Kai Winding ensemble competition for The International Trombone Festival in Salt Lake City this past year. The ensemble performs Filip’s various original compositions and arrangements of classic well-known tunes, and is very grateful to have a group full of such great people and musicians. He is currently a freelance musician and composer playing gigs and writing many styles and genres of music, ranging from individual part arranging to original marching band productions. 

James Wall (Trombone)

James Wall is a trombonist, bandleader, and music educator currently based in the Tampa Bay area. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance and a Master’s Degree in Trombone Performance at the University of South Florida. During Wall’s time at USF, he was invited to perform on two international tours with the USF Bone Band to Colombia and France. Currently, Wall performs regularly in the Tampa Bay Area with his band, Schaff-Wall Collective. 

James’ trombone teachers and mentors include Tampa’s own Tom Brantley, Tyler Wertman, Dwight Decker, Frank T. Williams III, and from New Orleans, Stephen Walker. 

Much of James Wall’s influence and inspiration for playing music derives from the city of New Orleans and the musicians who live there such as members of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band including Stephen Walker, Ronell Johnson, and Glen Finister Andrews. Wall has also performed at the French Quarter Festival with these musicians as a part of the traditional jazz group known as Onward Brass Band on numerous occasions. 

Kamyl Alicea (Trombone)

Kamyl Alicea is a music educator and trombonist dedicated to fostering a love of music in students and audiences alike. Currently serving as the Band Director at David C. Hinson Sr. Middle School, Kamyl brings experience and musicianship to her role.

Kamyl’s journey in music began with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the University of South Florida (USF). Directly after graduating from USF and finishing her internship at Dunedin Highlands Middle School, she accepted the position as the Band and Orchestra Director at Dunedin High School. In 2023, Kamyl’s dedication was recognized when she was awarded the Pinellas County Rookie Music Teacher of the Year. She is also a current FMEA Emerging Leader, demonstrating her commitment to professional growth and the advancement of music education. During the entirety of her teaching career, Kamyl has continued to perform as a freelance classical and jazz musician.

Kamyl also serves as the Social Media director for the group. When she is not teaching, practicing, or editing videos, you can find Kamyl cuddling with her dog Dacoda, enjoying amazing coffee, or playing terrible golf.

Nathan Petersen (Bass Trombone)

A passionate and active performer, composer and arranger, Nate Petersen is a professional bass trombonist and tenor trombone utility musician. Versatility is a key component to his artistry; he has developed a strong ear for both classical and jazz music. Nationally and internationally acclaimed through his performances with the Jazz Band of America and National Youth Orchestra-USA, Mr. Petersen has an increasing presence in both musical scenes. He was a finalist for the US Navy Commodores premiere jazz ensemble and served as a bass trombone sub for several cycles with The Venice Symphony in Venice, FL. Mr. Petersen performed at the International Trombone Festival as a member of the Sokolowski Trombone Project, and has been recorded on multiple big band projects. He graduated from the University of South Florida and is pursuing a master’s degree in Music Performance at The University of Cincinnati – College Conservatory of Music. He continues to expand his repertoire by contributing original compositions and arrangements to trombone chamber music. In his free time, Mr. Petersen enjoys reading, gaming, and exploring the outdoors, which all inspire his musical output.

Jordan Harris (Bass Trombone)

Jordan Harris graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Music Performance. Throughout his collegiate career he performed in numerous professional settings including The Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, many Tampa area jazz ensembles, as well as international jazz tours in Germany, Colombia, and France.

Since graduating, Jordan has continued an active performing career playing with the Venice Symphony Orchestra, multiple musicals including the award winning production of Ragtime with the American Stage Theater, leading the German Village Band at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, participating in the competition ensemble the Tampa Brass Band, and consistently being called for various gigs throughout Florida.

Outside of ensemble performing, Jordan has received many solo accolades such as winning the North America Brass Band Association Trombone Competition, being named a finalist in the University of South Florida Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Trombone Studio Solo Competitions, and is currently the only person to have won the USF Trombone Studio Solo competition more than once.

Jordan is currently the Director of Bands at Seminole Middle School (Pinellas) outside of his freelancing carer.

Tom Brantley (Trombone)

Trombonist Tom Brantley has served on the University of South Florida’s Music Faculty since 1999; as Professor of Trombone, he emphasizes both Classical and Jazz Trombone with his students. Brantley also leads the USF Trombone Octet, Trombone Choir, Trombone Bands I and II, and Trombone Quartets. From 2004 to 2012, Professor Brantley served as director of the USF Jazz Ensemble I; he has returned as director of USF’s top big band in the Fall of 2022.

Since 1995, Brantley has toured, performed, and recorded with Rhythm and Brass, an internationally regarded chamber ensemble. He has performed all over the world, including extensive tours of Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Australia. With Rhythm and Brass, he recorded three CDs and published a chamber music book for Universal Publications entitled Team Play. Brantley’s solo recordings include Boneyard on the Summit Record Label. He has two additional recordings – collaborating with colleagues
in small groups to create the CDs Confluences and Obsessed with Treasure.

Brantley was nominated for a Grammy in 2018 as a member of Chuck Owen’s Jazz Surge on the recording Whispers on the Wind. His other recordings include projects with USF colleague Jack Wilkins and three other recordings for Chuck Owen’s Jazz Surge. While a graduate student, Tom performed/recorded with the Grammy-nominated One O’Clock Lab Band, playing lead trombone and jazz trombone. He appears on four recordings with the UNT Jazz Program:  Lab 94, Lab 95, Live from Portugal, and A Tribute to Gene. Brantley also served as a trombone instructor at UNT after finishing his master’s degree in music.

More recently, Tom Brantley created an etude book entitled Stylistic Etudes for Trombone, published by Carl Fischer, Inc. (NYC). His first etude collection for Carl Fischer, Essential Etudes for Trombone, was published in 2015 and was also warmly received by trombone teachers and students.

In 2023, his students won the prestigious Kai Winding Jazz Trombone Ensemble Competition, sponsored by the International Trombone Association; they performed at the International Trombone Festival in Salt Lake City.

Brantley earned a bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Southern Mississippi and a master’s degree in music from the University of North Texas. His teachers include Marta Hofacre, Raoul Jerome, Tom Fraschillo, Robert Schmaltz, Christian Lindberg, Vern and Jan Kagarice, Royce Lumpkin, Neil Slater, Keith Johnson, and Joseph Alessi.  Tom Brantley has been a Yamaha Performing Artist since 1995.

Julian Pernett (Piano)

Julián Pernett Castilla’s pronounced natural talents in music, specifically in Latin percussion instruments are the result of his valuable cultural heritage from the Colombian Caribbean Coast. These abilities have always provided him with an abundance of musical gifts to share with the world. He is a passionate instrumentalist, concert pianist, and educator. Trained in the Western European musical tradition and the discipline of Improvisation in the Jazz style, Julián possesses a rich skillset that has opened a door to freely explore musical thoughts. With all sonic options at hand, including beyond the realms of piano performance, he makes each creation a truly personal expression through music.

Recently graduated from the University of South Florida’s Jazz Masters program, Julián now embarks on new musical adventures. He devotes his creativity to the production of original music and performances with diverse projects that showcase his musical influences and talents as both a pianist and keyboardist. Among these: a Brazilian Tropicalia and progressive rock tribute band, Kumaru; a jazz fusion power trio, L.A.C. Connection; a New Orleans jazz project, Schaff/Wall Collective; and The Sokolowski Trombone Project, an ensemble devoted to reimagining the tradition of ‘Bone Bands’ in Jazz music. 

In addition to his collaborations, Julián is the co-founder of Sandujazz, a group that dedicates itself to the sounds of the African, Caribbean, and Latin American idiosyncrasies, combined with Jazz-rock and Salsa sub-styles, in addition to a fair number of Cuban and psychedelic influences.

Rod Alnord (Drums)

Rod Alnord is Haitian-born drummer with multiple musical influences including Jazz, Gospel/Worship, and Afro-Caribbean Music. He studied at the University of South Florida under Ric Craig and Bob McCormick. He has since developed his playing style, inspired by the explosive Elvin Jones and modern-day drummer Brian Blade.

Rod leads his own quartet and continues to freelance in the Tampa Bay Area in various projects and groups.