About Jas (Dr. Tuba)
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Jas Linford was born in New York on August 9, 1948, and took to music right away. His father caught him on film conducting in the bathtub at a very early age. He took music lessons as a very young boy, learning to play the baritone ukulele and then graduating to the accordion within a year. His first opportunity to play in the band came in fifth grade, and Jas wanted to play the saxophone. But Mr. Petersen, his music teacher, put him on an Eb sousaphone and the die was cast; tuba has been his main instrument (and love) ever since.
Jas’s family moved across country during High School, and he marched with three different High School bands (Northport, NY, Westwood, (Mesa) AZ, and Kent-Meridian, WA). After high school he continued his music education at Green River Community College, playing classical music. After graduating from GRCC, he joined the USAF. He got married and bought his first tuba while stationed in New Jersey. Jas’s next assignment took him to Lowry AFB near Denver, where he joined the Denver Concert Band. He was an avid member of the band).
After Jas’s military obligation was over he resumed his college education at the University of Washington. Music was definitely a major part of his life; he sometimes played over eight hours a day in University groups (the University Concert Band, Wind Symphonietta, Tuba Ensemble and others) as well as community groups such as Thalia Symphony, Highline Symphony, North Seattle Symphony, and the Seattle Philharmonic Orchestra.
After he received his BA in Music he moved to Berkeley, CA. While in the East Bay area he played in the Albany Symphony and an Oakland orchestra. After returning to Seattle he played tuba in many area orchestras. He played professionally with the Seattle Brass Ensemble and started his own group, The Varsity Drag Jazz Band, playing Twenties hot jazz. He returned to the UW in 1979, receiving a Music Education Certificate. While there he learned how to play almost all instruments–most pretty well, some badly (violin). He marched with the Husky Marching Band, and subsequently became their Equipment Manager. Shortly thereafter, Jas moved to Bainbridge Island.
Jas worked in Lyle, WA., teaching H.S. band, J.H. band, beginning band, 7th and 8th grade math, and drama for a year. After his return from Lyle, Jas substitute taught in the Kitsap County school districts, and then returned to school at Renton Technical College to refine his skills in musical instrument repair. He expanded his own repair shop, Jas Linford’s Brassworks, and now serves on the Band Instrument Repair Technology program's Advisory Board.
After moving to the island, Jas saw the Hometown Band perform in Winslow before the annual Fourth of July Parade. They had an extra tuba, and Jas sat in. He has been with the band ever since, attending rehearsals in an automotive garage and then the Junior High School in Poulsbo. In 1986 he took over the reins as conductor and has been conducting the band ever since. Jas currently plays tuba with Bethany Brass, Farragut Brass Band, and the Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra. Occasionally he is called to play for the Bremerton Symphony, Bainbridge Performing Arts, musicals (on multiple brass instruments) and the Peninsula Ballet Orchestra. Jas also teaches private lessons
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