John Iveson began his professional career in 1965 as co-principal trombonist with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and in 1969 was appointed Principal in the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Since then he has worked with all the major London orchestras, and from 1980 until 1991 he held the position of principal trombonist in the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. For many years John was also the principal trombonist with the internationally renowned Philip Jones Brass Ensemble, which throughout the 1960's and 70's pioneered the performance of brass chamber music around the world. Many of John's arrangements in this field have since become established classics of the Brass Ensemble repertoire, and in more recent years many of these arrangements and compositions have been added to the standard brass band library.
John has also worked extensively in the commercial world of film and television studio recording, and was Professor of trombone at the Royal College of Music from 1970 until 1996. He now teaches at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester. An examiner for the Associated Board, John now lives in South Cumbria with his wife and two dogs, enjoying the return to his Northern roots, and continuing his writing, conducting, teaching and examining activities.