Is the trombone dead?

shnaggletooth · 08-20-2008, 07:57 PM

It's true that JJ Johnson proved that the trombone could play bop, and by doing so, almost single-handedly kept the trombone alive. And he and Kai Winding had some commercial and critical success as trombone players, as did Slide Hampton and Bob Brookmeyer. But since the late 60's, what prominent trombone players have emerged? Is it that people just aren't interested in hearing the sound of a trombone? The flute is heard much more frequently in jazz than the trombone.

The various saxes, trumpet, double bass, drums, guitar, piano and various keyboards still dominate jazz music. Is the trombone dead? (I won't even bring up the tuba!)

Sneaky Pete · 08-20-2008, 08:07 PM

Have you heard Fred Wesley?

shnaggletooth · 08-20-2008, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sneaky Pete

Have you heard Fred Wesley?

Yup, the great James Brown sideman.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Z9nBQ_sn8Y

Drifter · 08-20-2008, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shnaggletooth

It's true that JJ Johnson proved that the trombone could play bop, and by doing so, almost single-handedly kept the trombone alive. And he and Kai Winding had some commercial and critical success as trombone players, as did Slide Hampton and Bob Brookmeyer. But since the late 60's, what prominent trombone players have emerged? Is it that people just aren't interested in hearing the sound of a trombone? The flute is heard much more frequently in jazz than the trombone.

I can't stand flute in jazz...I've never felt that it suited jazz music at all, but I love trombone.

Michael · 08-20-2008, 08:15 PM

Trombone Dixie!-The Beach Boys

serge · 08-20-2008, 08:16 PM

jahndhi · 08-20-2008, 08:20 PM

I dunno - I heard Conrad Herwig earlier this year
with Eddie Palmieri's band, and it was vital!

Tom in Houston · 08-20-2008, 08:25 PM

Not as long as there exists a junior high band anywhere across the USA!

Someday a talented young artist will choose trombone as his means of expression, and eventually we will all be talking about the revival.

Have a little faith in mankind.

serge · 08-20-2008, 08:30 PM

I saw curtis fuller a year ago or two with benny golson..

i thought his solos were beyond boring..

if fuller can't do it no one can!

gd0 · 08-20-2008, 08:36 PM

Elvin Bishop features a trombonist – the only horn of any kind in this quintet (sextet?) – while currently touring, to excellent effect.

riknbkr330 · 08-20-2008, 08:45 PM

The Specials had some nice trombone work...of course that was 20 years ago.

Great solo in "Ghost Town".

Sneaky Pete · 08-20-2008, 08:51 PM

Thanks for the Fred Wesley link. It was great to see him with Pee Wee Ellis and Maceo. It was a reunion of he JBs.

How about Ray Anderson? Not a great clip but he is a great player. The trombone is not dead it's just napping.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBBvQ...eature=related

bowling-name · 08-20-2008, 08:52 PM

I don't think the instrument is in demand like it used to be (or was it ever?), but there are some young(ish) players that I like:

Robin Eubanks (check him out here with the Dave Holland Big Band)
Monique Buzzarté (she processes her playing with a laptop while performing live - creating some pretty interesting and richly layered compositions)
Ray Anderson (he has been a critical darling since the 80s)
Joe Fielder (fun jazz trio leader)

Some of the older guys are still making great original music - check out Roswell Rudd's recent outings!

KeithH · 08-20-2008, 08:54 PM

Phil Collins had a good trombone player in the "Sussudio" video.

bowling-name · 08-20-2008, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sneaky Pete

Thanks for the Fred Wesley link. It was great to see him with Pee Wee Ellis and Maceo. It was a reunion of he JBs.

How about Ray Anderson? Not a great clip but he is a great player. The trombone is not dead it's just napping.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBBvQ...eature=related

Ha, you beat me too him. Here is the same song (different performance), but a much better quality clip.

wgriel · 08-20-2008, 09:00 PM

I saw Sonny Rollins last year and the band featured Clifton Anderson on trombone - he was amazing!

JamieC · 08-20-2008, 09:10 PM

Walter Pankow Chicago's brilliant trombonist.

Grant · 08-20-2008, 09:14 PM

You know, i'd love to see another big rock/jazz or jazz/rock band again.

cootcraig · 08-20-2008, 09:28 PM

I had a chance to hear Wycliffe Gordon with a Lincoln center group, I've been a fan ever since.

http://www.wycliffegordon.com/biographycontent.html

Dillydipper · 08-20-2008, 10:29 PM

Thank god for Lost, or we'd never hear any these days!

08-20-2008, 07:57 PM	#1
shnaggletooth Forum Addict Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: NJ, USA Posts: 1,649	Is the trombone dead? It's true that JJ Johnson proved that the trombone could play bop, and by doing so, almost single-handedly kept the trombone alive. And he and Kai Winding had some commercial and critical success as trombone players, as did Slide Hampton and Bob Brookmeyer. But since the late 60's, what prominent trombone players have emerged? Is it that people just aren't interested in hearing the sound of a trombone? The flute is heard much more frequently in jazz than the trombone. The various saxes, trumpet, double bass, drums, guitar, piano and various keyboards still dominate jazz music. Is the trombone dead? (I won't even bring up the tuba!) __________________ shnaggletooth

08-20-2008, 08:07 PM	#2
Sneaky Pete Forum Hall Of Fame Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: NYC USA Posts: 4,401	Have you heard Fred Wesley? __________________ Everybody's Crying Mercy, when they don't know the meaning of the word A bad enough situation, is sure enough getting worse. Everybody's Crying Justice, just as long there's business first -MOSE

08-20-2008, 08:15 PM	#5
Michael I LOVE WIDE S-T-E-R-E-O! Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: United States Of America Posts: 36,273	Trombone Dixie!-The Beach Boys __________________ I like my COLA Flatlined.

08-20-2008, 08:16 PM	#6
serge Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: dc Posts: 2,898	yes.

08-20-2008, 08:36 PM	#10
gd0 Forum Hall Of Fame Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: SF Posts: 5,820	Elvin Bishop features a trombonist – the only horn of any kind in this quintet (sextet?) – while currently touring, to excellent effect. __________________ Without music to decorate it, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines or dates by which bills must be paid. Frank Zappa

08-20-2008, 08:20 PM	#7
jahndhi Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Olympia, WA Posts: 914	I dunno - I heard Conrad Herwig earlier this year with Eddie Palmieri's band, and it was vital!

08-20-2008, 08:25 PM	#8
Tom in Houston Forum Addict Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Houston, Texas, USA Posts: 1,489	Not as long as there exists a junior high band anywhere across the USA! Someday a talented young artist will choose trombone as his means of expression, and eventually we will all be talking about the revival. Have a little faith in mankind.

08-20-2008, 08:30 PM	#9
serge Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: dc Posts: 2,898	I saw curtis fuller a year ago or two with benny golson.. i thought his solos were beyond boring.. if fuller can't do it no one can!

08-20-2008, 08:45 PM	#11
riknbkr330 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: west coast, CA, USA Posts: 840	The Specials had some nice trombone work...of course that was 20 years ago. Great solo in "Ghost Town".

08-20-2008, 08:51 PM	#12
Sneaky Pete Forum Hall Of Fame Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: NYC USA Posts: 4,401	Thanks for the Fred Wesley link. It was great to see him with Pee Wee Ellis and Maceo. It was a reunion of he JBs. How about Ray Anderson? Not a great clip but he is a great player. The trombone is not dead it's just napping. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBBvQ...eature=related __________________ Everybody's Crying Mercy, when they don't know the meaning of the word A bad enough situation, is sure enough getting worse. Everybody's Crying Justice, just as long there's business first -MOSE

08-20-2008, 08:52 PM	#13
bowling-name Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: North Hollywood Posts: 619	Hibernating? I don't think the instrument is in demand like it used to be (or was it ever?), but there are some young(ish) players that I like: Robin Eubanks (check him out here with the Dave Holland Big Band) Monique Buzzarté (she processes her playing with a laptop while performing live - creating some pretty interesting and richly layered compositions) Ray Anderson (he has been a critical darling since the 80s) Joe Fielder (fun jazz trio leader) Some of the older guys are still making great original music - check out Roswell Rudd's recent outings!

08-20-2008, 08:54 PM	#14
KeithH CD collector, and so much more Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: It varies. Posts: 23,723	Phil Collins had a good trombone player in the "Sussudio" video. __________________ www.keithhirsch.com

08-20-2008, 09:00 PM	#16
wgriel Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: bc, canada Posts: 864	I saw Sonny Rollins last year and the band featured Clifton Anderson on trombone - he was amazing!

08-20-2008, 09:10 PM	#17
JamieC Forum Addict Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Detroit Mi USA Posts: 1,884	Walter Pankow Chicago's brilliant trombonist.

08-20-2008, 09:14 PM	#18
Grant Forum member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: If the rain comes, they run and hide their heads... Posts: 72,946	You know, i'd love to see another big rock/jazz or jazz/rock band again.

08-20-2008, 09:28 PM	#19
cootcraig Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Pueblo, Colorado USA Posts: 22	Wycliffe Gordon I had a chance to hear Wycliffe Gordon with a Lincoln center group, I've been a fan ever since. http://www.wycliffegordon.com/biographycontent.html

08-20-2008, 10:29 PM	#20
Dillydipper Sultan Of Snark Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Harrisburg PA Posts: 11,072	Thank god for Lost, or we'd never hear any these days! __________________ "Sorbent Boom is people!" - either Charlton Heston, or...I may just be kidding

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