In a world where the trombone is mostly considered just a background instrument, Alan Kaplan stands out. Growing up in Los Angeles he began playing at the age of eight. He tried to prepare for a 'real' job, majoring in engineering at LA Valley College, but by the age of nineteen he was on the road with Buddy Rich. He was the youngest trombonist ever to play lead with that band. The next few years found him playing with big band legends such as Harry James, Louis Bellson, Don Ellis, and Lionel Hampton. By the late 70's he was being compared to trombone greats like Carl Fontana and Frank Rosolino.

Recent years have found Kaplan settled back in his hometown. His skills honed on the road, he now enjoys his position as one of the top studio trombone players in Los Angeles. His recording credits vary vastly from Marvin Gaye to Johnny Mathis to Madonna to Placido Domingo to Sarah Vaughan to Oingo Boingo to Whitney Houston to the Hollywood Bowl orchestra, Josh Grobin, Michael Buble, Bob Dylan, Metallica, Muse, and countless more.