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!)

 

Have you heard Fred Wesley?

 

Yup, the great James Brown sideman.

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

 

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

 

Trombone Dixie!-The Beach Boys

 

yes.

 

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

 

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.

 

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!

 

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

 

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

Great solo in "Ghost Town".

 

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=BBBvQFEIgMg&feature=related

 

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!

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Walter Pankow Chicago's brilliant trombonist.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

If you subtract the rock part, The Bill Holman Band is one of
the tastiest 'big' jazz bands out there. Huge sound, divine arrangements.
Not to be missed.

He wrote for Blood, Sweat & Tears & many jazz greats

 

Another vote for Clifton Anderson with Sonny Rollins

 

Recorded after a long stint in Las Vegas, "The Great Fontana" (1985-Concord) by Carl Fontana is a must-have.

Bill Watrous. His solo on 13th Floor Walk-up sent every jazz trombone studies major back to the practice rooms.

Steve Turre, a NY 1st call, became prominent especially his tenure with the SNL band.

Conrad Herwig, as jahndi mentioned, has incredible chops.

You can check out Bonearama, a Louisiana 'bone big band that covers NO jazz to Black Sabbath. I think they're popular on the jam band circuit.

It's still prominent in Latin music (Willie Colon, Jimmy Bosch and Papo Vazquez, to name three players). Los Van Van uses a trombone/violin frontline

Unfortunately, the trombone sits very low on the instrumental pecking order in jazz/pop music. Maybe it's the puddles of water left behind on the floor.

 

Roswell Rudd


Jerry

 

I play with a killer trombonist and can assure you that he is most definitely alive.