From Washington, D.C. USA. Douglas Curtis Irving began playing the Trombone at age 13 and performing and composing at age 15. He grew up listening to Classical, Soul, Rock, Jazz, and Gospel music in addition to his mother, Edith B. Harper, playing organ for various churches.

Doug studied Classical and Jazz at the University of North Carolina in Wilmington. In addition, he studied Classical Trombone with Jack Pindell and Mike Kris; Jazz Trombone with Howard Lamb, John Jenson, and Jerald Shynett. In 1996, Doug began studying Jazz Bass with such greats as Herman Burney, John Patituchi, and Nat Reeves. He still admires his Classical mentor "russian-native" Leonid Finkelshtey of the North Carolina Symphony.

“I can never say enough about my first mentors Bob Hood, Jack Pindell, and Herman Burney, but that they ‘truly created a concrete foundation for me to continue to walk on’. Also thanks to Nat Reeves, John Pattituchi, Leoniod Finkelshytey for being just a phone call away everyday. Finally, The United Pentecostal Church International for keeping me sharp at home and in my travels!” -- Doug Irving