Is the trombone dead?

Frank Rosolino was a great L.A. trombonist who played with bands such as Stan Kenton, Supersax, and Tower Of Power.He died in '78 after shooting both young sons and then killing himself. Such a horrific tragedy. One son survived although he was blinded. Here's a link to Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Rosolino

Boy, you just don't see the number of great trombone( clarinet , etc.) players like in the 50's through the 70's.

 

Maybe you don't. I've seen and heard plenty, and their names are all over this thread. Sure, there will never be another J.J. Johnson, but these players are fabulous. I even forgot Julian Priester (sorry, Dupre), who played with Herbie Hancock and Eddie Henderson and in the Sun Ra band.

 

You're absolutly right on all counts ( especially about Julian Priester..I loved the Mwandishi band). What I didn't say very well was that it seems that there is a lower visibility for these instruments today. Outside of big bands, I hardly see them compared to decades past.

 

I will: The Beach Boys - "Wake The World"

 

I guess it's an old fashioned instrument, less flexible than the trumpet or sax.

 

There's no such thing as an inflexible instrument, only inflexible musicians.

 

The trombone isn't dead, but it is on a downward slide

 

And ignorant listeners. It's easy to say you haven't heard any good new trombone players lately, it's also easy to find a bunch of good ones (as the experienced listeners among us have demonstrated). Whether, statistically, there are fewer people taking up the instrument than there were 50 years ago is something I would have to see more than anecdotal evidence of.

 

here is a good newer release I can easily recommend:
Calvin Cameron - Wareika Hill Sounds
http://www.honestjons.com/label.php?pid=29269&LabelID=14815
great roots reggae trombone...

& if you are willing to go back in time:
http://www.roots-archives.com/release/2162
& further back still:
http://www.roots-archives.com/release/1541

 

What about bagpipes?

 

I just remembered Robin Eubanks, who plays a very prominent role with the Dave Holland Quintet & Big Band - one of the finest and most respected current jazz bands in the world.

 

Good call!
Can't believe I forgot him either, especially since I just listened to his "P'nk J'zz" album with Charles "Bobo" Shaw and the Human Arts Ensemble a couple of days ago.

 

Definitely. I saw his band in Cambridge last summer. He uses a lot of electronic effects now. His brother Kevin has also played with Holland and lead or leads The Tonight Show band (Leno edition). Robin played with Ronald Shannon Jackson's Decoding Society for a while, as well. Great player.

 

I searched for but couldn't find his duet album with Oliver Lake on Sackville anywhere. Too bad, because it's my first recommendation of his recorded work. He took a guest role on the most recent Bobby Previte session, Bump. Joe has had a rocky ride and disappeared from the music scene a few times. When he's on his game he's as great a trombonist as his brother was a trumpeter. Sorry I can't recommend Funky Donkey, another Human Arts Ensemble disc. The recording is very distorted. Got a great review on amg, though.

 

The musical saw
The sackbut (a medieval & renaissance trombone ancestor)
The whistle used on "On A Holiday" (Brian Wilson presents SMiLE). I don't know what it's called.

 

That's JAMES Pankow. Walter Parazaider is their reed player.

 

If the Mingus Big Band ever comes through your town and Frank Lacy is sitting in the trombone chair, be prepared for some great blowing (and singing). If Frank can't make it, Conrad Herwig will likely be the lead. Either way, what a great band to see live.

Oh, I almost forgot about Chris Washburn's S.Y.O.T.O.S. (See you on the other side) band.

Did anyone mention Steve Turre?

 

That seems strange (vibes). They are neat, and easy to bring along!

Anyway I like all those instruments.

I recently heard Kai Winding's recording of Time Is On My Side.

 

This thread is getting stranger by the minute.

 

Please, say it isn't so, somebody. A trombone is a wonderful thing. It most closely resembles the sound, pitch, and range of the human voice out of any of the instruments. The slide makes it utterly unique in the sounds it can make. Have you ever heard a trombone choir? The most heavenly sound on earth. There are trombone choir competitions every year at the Ft. Myer Army base near where I live in Arlington, VA. They come out of colleges and military bands from all over the country. You haven't lived till you've heard this kind of thing, I promise you. It rattles and shakes my soul.