David Manson is a trombonist, composer, improvisor, presenter and music technologist. His degrees include a doctorate from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He began his performance career with positions in the Florida West Coast Symphony Orchestra and Memphis Symphony Orchestra and taught low brass and jazz studies at Indiana State University before returning to Florida. He has been soloist and composer with the BONK New Music Festival, Subtropics New Music Festival, Society of Composers and SEAMUS. He has performed and recorded with Cecil Taylor, Sam Rivers, Eugene Chadbourne, Davey Williams and other innovators.

David's solo recordings include "Modern Music for Trombone" (lps 3209) and "Beast" (isospin). His releases as leader, composer/arranger and soloist include "Particle Zoo" with ensemble SHIM, "Fluid Motion" with jazz legend Sam Rivers and "Infinita Bossa" with Brazilian band O Som Do Jazz. He was trombonist and arranger for Bogus Pomp, a Frank Zappa repertoire band from 1993-2007. 

David is a recipient of two Artist Fellowships in music composition from the Florida Arts Council, a Fulbright-Hays project in Turkey, an artist feature in the Southern Arts Federation’s JazzSouth radio program, and grants from Meet The Composer. His orchestral works have been performed by the Florida Orchestra. David directs the EMIT series of adventurous music at the Salvador Dali Museum and is former director of the Tampa Bay Composers' Forum (1995-2003). Through EMIT and the Composers Forum, David has presented over 200 concerts of new music.

David currently writes for and performs with Brazilian group O Som Do Jazz and brass quintet Glorious Brass. He directs the Helios Jazz Orchestra and teaches Pro Tools courses in the MIRA (Music Industry/Recording Arts) program at St. Petersburg College.