2025 Inductee

David Steinmeyer, a distinguished trombonist and educator from Jacksonville, FL, began his musical  journey at age five as a boy soprano and classical pianist. He transitioned to the trombone in 8th grade and led a dance band by age 16. After graduating from Andrew Jackson High School in 1961, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and became the lead trombonist for the 536th Air Force Band. He later joined the Airmen of Note, the USAF’s premier jazz ensemble, serving as lead trombonist and music
director, producing numerous albums and performing worldwide.

Steinmeyer has been a key figure in the Jacksonville Jazz Festival since the 1980’s and has performed at various jazz festivals globally. He has worked with renowned artists such as Sammy Nestico, Clark Terry, Dizzie Gillespie, and Frank Sinatra. Throughout his career, he has performed for seven U.S. Presidents, featured as a soloist on nearly 100 album tracks, played lead trombone for major telveison productions, radio shows and appeared in the movie “A Few Good Men.”

He has also been involved in various music education initiatives, working with numerous institutions. Steinmeyer has dedicated his work in Jacksonville and traveled extensively, conducting clinics and solo feature appearances in the academic world. He has been involved in various educational programs, including the Florida Music Educators Association, “Head Start” Music Education Programs (Wash. DC). “Music in the Schools” (SJRCB), and
“Musician in Residence” for Duval County.

Steinmeyer taught at the University of North Florida’s jazz program for nearly 15 years and co-authored the book “Beyond Boundaries.” He continues to offer guidance to professional and student musicians and has been  recognized with awards such as the “Key to the City of Jacksonville” and the “Lowell Mason Award for Excellence in Music Education.” At this stage of his career, David continues to offer guidance to professional musicians and hosts student musicians and their parents. Dave would like to thank the Jacksonville Jazz Festival Hall of Fame committee and all those who nominated him for the honor of being inducted into the hall of fame.