Jay Friedman to retire after 63 years

Jay Friedman, Principal Trombone of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO), retires this month after an extraordinary 63-year tenure—the longest in CSO history, alongside harpist Lynne Turner. Appointed assistant principal trombone in 1962 by Fritz Reiner and promoted to principal in 1965 by Jean Martinon, Friedman became a cornerstone of the CSO’s legendary brass section. Throughout his career, he performed under some of the most renowned conductors, including Solti, Barenboim, Muti, and Haitink, and participated in over 40 international tours, playing in landmark concerts across Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America.

Friedman’s musical legacy extends beyond performance. He premiered major works, such as Ellen Taaffe Zwilich’s Trombone Concerto and Jennifer Higdon’s Low Brass Concerto, and was featured on hundreds of recordings, including Grammy-winning albums. He is also a respected educator and conductor, serving as music director of the Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest since 1995, and leading numerous performances with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and international ensembles.

A Chicago native, Friedman studied at Yale and Roosevelt University and began his orchestral journey with the Civic Orchestra and Florida Symphony before joining the CSO in 1962. In retirement, he will continue teaching at Roosevelt University and conducting, preserving his influence on future generations of musicians. The CSO honors him with the Theodore Thomas Medallion for Distinguished Service. His remarkable contributions have left a lasting mark on the orchestral world, both on and off the stage.

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