Attorney Blows Off Steam Playing Trombone

Barry Goldberg, president elect at the San Fernando Valley Bar Association in Woodland Hills, possesses a rare skill: trombone-playing. The personal injury trial attorney calls it the easiest instrument since no finger work is required. “It’s very linear – seven positions and I know where they all are,” he told Valley Insider. Inspired by the “Music Man” song about 76 trombones, he started playing as a child and joined the UCLA jazz band in college. He then retired for several decades to establish a law practice and raise a family. “I didn’t open the case for 30 years,” he said. But a few years ago, he took it up again only to find “there is a shortage of trombone players.” He could play with various groups every night, but he limits engagements to lawyer bands – namely Los Angeles Lawyers Philharmonic and Big Band of Barristers. The latter group will present its next performance June 29 at Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown L.A. … Some may believe that those electric scooters zipping around the San Fernando Valley are worsening traffic congestion. But Los Angeles City Councilman David Ryu, who was the featured guest at a VICA After Dark event put on by the Valley Industry and Commerce Association at Vitello’s Restaurant in Studio City on April 2, told the crowd of about 80 that the new vehicles are lightening car traffic. “When you see a millennial riding on a scooter,” asked Ryu, “what is he not driving?” Publisher Charles Crumpley contributed to Valley Insider, which is compiled by Editor Joel Russell. Send submissions to him at [email protected].