Who were your trombone heroes growing up?
- tbdana
- Posts: 1928
- Joined: Apr 08, 2023
I did a search for similar threads but didn't find any, though they must be here.
So who were your trombone heroes when you were young? I had three trombone heroes in my youth (which was in the 1960s to 70s).
The first was Urbie Green, who turned the lights on for me as to how someone ought to play the trombone.
Second was Jim Pankow, the trombone player in the band Chicago, who taught me that trombone could be a serious instrument in hard rock. I grew up in the era of classic rock, so naturally this thrilled me.
And the third was Bill Watrous, whose raw ability blew my mind and forced me to grapple with either throwing my horn in the ocean or locking myself in the practice room for 10 years.
I never met or played with Urbie, but I was incredibly privileged to know and play with both Pankow and Watrous. Watrous died 6 years ago, but I'm still in touch with Pankow.
Honorable mentions go to locals where I grew up, like Dick Nash, Ralph Sauer and Byron Peebles (and Sonny Ausman just for the way he talked). Roy Main for teaching. And I also loved the teachings of Remmington (I had planned to go to Eastman to study with him but never did, thanks to Roy Main) and Marstellar. Frank Rosolino was also an idol for the incredible passion and soul he brought to the horn, but I never looked to him as a role model for playing.
Who were your formative trombone idols, and why and when?
So who were your trombone heroes when you were young? I had three trombone heroes in my youth (which was in the 1960s to 70s).
The first was Urbie Green, who turned the lights on for me as to how someone ought to play the trombone.
Second was Jim Pankow, the trombone player in the band Chicago, who taught me that trombone could be a serious instrument in hard rock. I grew up in the era of classic rock, so naturally this thrilled me.
And the third was Bill Watrous, whose raw ability blew my mind and forced me to grapple with either throwing my horn in the ocean or locking myself in the practice room for 10 years.
I never met or played with Urbie, but I was incredibly privileged to know and play with both Pankow and Watrous. Watrous died 6 years ago, but I'm still in touch with Pankow.
Honorable mentions go to locals where I grew up, like Dick Nash, Ralph Sauer and Byron Peebles (and Sonny Ausman just for the way he talked). Roy Main for teaching. And I also loved the teachings of Remmington (I had planned to go to Eastman to study with him but never did, thanks to Roy Main) and Marstellar. Frank Rosolino was also an idol for the incredible passion and soul he brought to the horn, but I never looked to him as a role model for playing.
Who were your formative trombone idols, and why and when?
- henrysa
- Posts: 108
- Joined: Sep 26, 2022
Dick Shearer and James Pankow. All the guys in the Lawrence Welk Orchestra fascinated me even before I could lift a trombone. Mel Won in Stockton, CA. He was also a great instructor and band leader. Peggy Salmon, is now married to the great Kenton trumpeter Mike Vax. Used to sit in her section in summer jazz bands. Dang. Gal could really play....I hid down in 3rd chair
- AtomicClock
- Posts: 1094
- Joined: Oct 19, 2023
The question presupposes the existence of idols. I"m not sure I had any. When I was 14, I saw Gene Watts with the Canadian Brass. That got me really into quintets, which lead to Scott Hartman. I guess I heard Watrous on Star Trek, but it didn't do anything for me (jazz? ugh). Most of these other names I only encountered as an adult.
- Fidbone
- Posts: 383
- Joined: Apr 24, 2018
JJ Johnson
Frank Rosolino
Bill Watrous
Carl Fontana
Don Lusher
Urbie Green
No explanation needed <EMOJI seq="1f60e" tseq="1f60e">😎</EMOJI>
Frank Rosolino
Bill Watrous
Carl Fontana
Don Lusher
Urbie Green
No explanation needed <EMOJI seq="1f60e" tseq="1f60e">😎</EMOJI>
- HornboneandVocals
- Posts: 75
- Joined: Oct 04, 2023
Early trombone hero was an unnamed trombonist at a Christmas parade when I was 2 or 3, who sparked my passion for trombone.
Fast forward to middle school and the lebedev concerto, Randy Hawes.
Then the Santa Clara Vangard 2018 euph soloist, happened to be best friends with my band director, and did the rimsky korsakov concerto with him my freshman year. Skylar McKinnon (unsure of spelling of last name), now playing with a navy band somewhere.
Now, Tomer Maschkowsky and Jeremy Wilson, for their expression and musicality.
Fast forward to middle school and the lebedev concerto, Randy Hawes.
Then the Santa Clara Vangard 2018 euph soloist, happened to be best friends with my band director, and did the rimsky korsakov concerto with him my freshman year. Skylar McKinnon (unsure of spelling of last name), now playing with a navy band somewhere.
Now, Tomer Maschkowsky and Jeremy Wilson, for their expression and musicality.
- MStarke
- Posts: 1031
- Joined: Jan 01, 2019
There are many - this is just a small selection:
- My first trombone teacher, Siegfried Müller, who was Wechsel Posaunist (tenor/bass) at the opera and philharmonic orchestra in my hometown Essen
- Only realized this recently: Ludwig Nuss from the WDR bigband. Since I was about 15 I have been in 3 or 4 workshops with him, have met him a few more times and have had one lesson with him until now. Great person with a really impressive, somehow extremely relaxed way of playing
- Alan Kaplan. I have heard his Lonely Town recording probably 100 times and have been very fortunate to have had some lessons with him. Great person who has taught me so much. I absolutely love is ballad playing and have been absolutely surprised how great he sounds on bass.
- Stefan Schulz. Have met him a few times. One of my bass trombone sound role models, but also a great teacher with a lot of positive influence on my playing
- Ulrich Flad who I studied with for around 1.5 years. His Parsifal in Bayreuth was the best orchestral trombone playing I can imagine.
- Alain Trudel for his alto trombone recordings. That's the sound I want to achieve on alto
- Christian Lindberg as a person - I don't think there is any other trombonist with that level of energy - and as a trombonist for e g his Martin Ballade, Frumerie, Grondahl and Weber Romance
- Andy Martin and Carl Fontana for jazz playing
-And in the last years Matthew Gee has become a favorite of mine reg large tenor sound
- Almost forgot Bill Reichenbach and Uwe Fuessel, two certainly different bass trombonists whose sound and style I admire
- My first trombone teacher, Siegfried Müller, who was Wechsel Posaunist (tenor/bass) at the opera and philharmonic orchestra in my hometown Essen
- Only realized this recently: Ludwig Nuss from the WDR bigband. Since I was about 15 I have been in 3 or 4 workshops with him, have met him a few more times and have had one lesson with him until now. Great person with a really impressive, somehow extremely relaxed way of playing
- Alan Kaplan. I have heard his Lonely Town recording probably 100 times and have been very fortunate to have had some lessons with him. Great person who has taught me so much. I absolutely love is ballad playing and have been absolutely surprised how great he sounds on bass.
- Stefan Schulz. Have met him a few times. One of my bass trombone sound role models, but also a great teacher with a lot of positive influence on my playing
- Ulrich Flad who I studied with for around 1.5 years. His Parsifal in Bayreuth was the best orchestral trombone playing I can imagine.
- Alain Trudel for his alto trombone recordings. That's the sound I want to achieve on alto
- Christian Lindberg as a person - I don't think there is any other trombonist with that level of energy - and as a trombonist for e g his Martin Ballade, Frumerie, Grondahl and Weber Romance
- Andy Martin and Carl Fontana for jazz playing
-And in the last years Matthew Gee has become a favorite of mine reg large tenor sound
- Almost forgot Bill Reichenbach and Uwe Fuessel, two certainly different bass trombonists whose sound and style I admire
- atopper333
- Posts: 377
- Joined: Mar 09, 2022
My father got me in to playing. He was a product of the bands from Texas in the 70s, and the way he could pick up a horn and make it sound beautiful even after years of not playing was truly awesome.
He introduced me to Pankow which really got me hooked, and then I heard J.J. Johnson’s solo on Satin Doll…
He introduced me to Pankow which really got me hooked, and then I heard J.J. Johnson’s solo on Satin Doll…
- WilliamLang
- Posts: 636
- Joined: Nov 22, 2019
Lindberg and Alessi for me! Pretty stock answers for sure, but they'll always be my guiding lights.
- officermayo
- Posts: 654
- Joined: Jun 09, 2021
As a kid I was always hearing my Dad's stereo playing Green, Rosolino, JJ & Kai and Zentner. At 14 I discovered Pankow. Jimmy's had the biggest influence on my playing.
- tbdana
- Posts: 1928
- Joined: Apr 08, 2023
[quote="officermayo"]As a kid I was always hearing my Dad's stereo playing Green, Rosolino, JJ & Kai and Zentner. At 14 I discovered Pankow. Jimmy's had the biggest influence on my playing.[/quote]
My dad loved Si Zentner. He tried to get me into Si Zentner, too, and even took me to one of Si's gigs. But I didn't care. I was infatuated with Urbie Green, and the only good thing about Si Zenter was that he said he knew Urbie Green. So when I met him, all I did was ask him about Urbie Green. :D
At that concert my dad took me to, Zentner had a trombone player in his band named Billy Watrous. I didn't care about sidemen, either. Just Urbie. LOL!
My dad loved Si Zentner. He tried to get me into Si Zentner, too, and even took me to one of Si's gigs. But I didn't care. I was infatuated with Urbie Green, and the only good thing about Si Zenter was that he said he knew Urbie Green. So when I met him, all I did was ask him about Urbie Green. :D
At that concert my dad took me to, Zentner had a trombone player in his band named Billy Watrous. I didn't care about sidemen, either. Just Urbie. LOL!
- jimazing
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Feb 29, 2024
My dad had a Glenn Miller album that must have helped me choose trombone. As a teenager I couldn't get enough James Pankow and later Bill Watrous. I got to play with Watrous in college in 1977. Thrill of my life at the time!
- harrisonreed
- Posts: 6479
- Joined: Aug 17, 2018
I saw Christian Lindberg play with the National Symphony in DC in 2003, I believe, when I was 15. I only knew of him from the one CD my teacher played for me, so I was expecting trombone and piano, Pryor solos. I didn't know what a trombone concerto was. Kalevi Aho didn't write Pryor solos <EMOJI seq="1f602" tseq="1f602">😂</EMOJI>. The impact was so great, not just on me, but the whole section and a lot of our strings players, that I have been a huge fan of his ever since. I went and listened to all of his recordings, and really got interested in his work on avant garde music.
From there I learned about Abbie Conant and her "Street Scene for the Last Mad Soprano", and went down a different rabbit hole of avant garde music. Her recordings of the classic "legit" rep are also great.
I also learned about Yamamoto Ko-ichirou in Japan when I was doing a short trip as in interpreter for a machine tool company at age 19. He is the principal in Seattle now, I believe, and he has an incredible sound.
It wasn't until just last year that I learned that both Abbie and Ko-ichirou attended the same trombone camp run by Lindberg in the early 90's, and were his students as adults. And those were the three I listened to the most.
From there I learned about Abbie Conant and her "Street Scene for the Last Mad Soprano", and went down a different rabbit hole of avant garde music. Her recordings of the classic "legit" rep are also great.
I also learned about Yamamoto Ko-ichirou in Japan when I was doing a short trip as in interpreter for a machine tool company at age 19. He is the principal in Seattle now, I believe, and he has an incredible sound.
It wasn't until just last year that I learned that both Abbie and Ko-ichirou attended the same trombone camp run by Lindberg in the early 90's, and were his students as adults. And those were the three I listened to the most.
- MrHCinDE
- Posts: 1039
- Joined: Jul 01, 2018
I remember be amazed at the sound of Nick Hudson on some live concerts I heard him in. Played a couple of massed band gigs on Euphonium in front of John Barber which was one of the reasons I picked up the trombone.
One of the first CDs I owned was a Kai Winding album. I pretty much wore that disc out.
One of the first CDs I owned was a Kai Winding album. I pretty much wore that disc out.
- Kdanielsen
- Posts: 609
- Joined: Jul 28, 2019
[quote="WilliamLang"]Lindberg and Alessi for me! Pretty stock answers for sure, but they'll always be my guiding lights.[/quote]
Amen.
I’ll add Markey, although his first CD didn’t happen until half way through undergrad.
Amen.
I’ll add Markey, although his first CD didn’t happen until half way through undergrad.
- Briande
- Posts: 207
- Joined: Jan 12, 2020
James Pankow. I was born in 1967 and my grandparents gave me a Chicago album for my birthday when I was probably 5 or 6. When the time came to pick an instrument in 5th grade it was going to be Saxophone, Trumpet or Trombone because that’s what Chicago had. Since my older brother played trumpet that left 2 to pick from and I picked Trombone. I wore out my Chicago albums trying to imitate Jimmy. Then my older brother introduced me to Bill Watrous and the Manhattan Wild Life Refuge! Then came Urbie Green (The Fox album).
- mcphatty00
- Posts: 120
- Joined: Apr 25, 2022
AL Grey and then a big gap. I didn't have too much exposure to quality playing in high school.
- VJOFan
- Posts: 529
- Joined: Apr 06, 2018
Although I began listening to trombone players almost as soon as I started playing, my heroes were the players who came through to my small, isolated city to teach at our summer music camp. One of them stayed in town to conduct our community orchestra and was my first teacher when I was in grade 7.
Those beautiful sounds felt live during lessons and when they played recitals during the camps, still form the biggest part of the mental picture I have for my tone. Coincidentally, they all happened to be Eastman grads or students of Eastman grads so that happened.
Those beautiful sounds felt live during lessons and when they played recitals during the camps, still form the biggest part of the mental picture I have for my tone. Coincidentally, they all happened to be Eastman grads or students of Eastman grads so that happened.
- mcphatty00
- Posts: 120
- Joined: Apr 25, 2022
[quote="Kingfan"]Pankow, Watrous, DeSano[/quote]
I studied with DeSano in my junior and senior high school years. I don't think he was playing in the orchestra anymore, but he was a wealth of knowledge. I still play on a DE lexan rim because of him and I've had mine since 1997!
I studied with DeSano in my junior and senior high school years. I don't think he was playing in the orchestra anymore, but he was a wealth of knowledge. I still play on a DE lexan rim because of him and I've had mine since 1997!
- Kbiggs
- Posts: 1768
- Joined: Mar 24, 2018
I grew up in rural Northern California. Most of my heroes I knew from recordings:
As a kid
Armin Rosin
Denis Wick
James Pankow
Frank Rosolino
Bill Watrous
J.J. Johnson
Kai Winding
James “Jimmie” Pugh
As a young adult I added to the list:
Chicago sections
NY Phil Sections
Joe Alessi
Christian Lindberg
Ralph Sauer
Jeff Reynolds
George Roberts
Ray Premru via Phillip Jones
As a kid
Armin Rosin
Denis Wick
James Pankow
Frank Rosolino
Bill Watrous
J.J. Johnson
Kai Winding
James “Jimmie” Pugh
As a young adult I added to the list:
Chicago sections
NY Phil Sections
Joe Alessi
Christian Lindberg
Ralph Sauer
Jeff Reynolds
George Roberts
Ray Premru via Phillip Jones
- tbdana
- Posts: 1928
- Joined: Apr 08, 2023
[quote="Kbiggs"]I grew up in rural Northern California. Most of my heroes I knew from recordings:
As a kid
Armin Rosin
Denis Wick
James Pankow
Frank Rosolino
Bill Watrous
J.J. Johnson
Kai Winding
James “Jimmie” Pugh
As a young adult I added to the list:
Chicago sections
NY Phil Sections
Joe Alessi
Christian Lindberg
Ralph Sauer
Jeff Reynolds
George Roberts
Ray Premru via Phillip Jones[/quote]
Where in rural NorCal did you grow up? I'm from L.A. but living in rural NorCal now. :) Jeff Reynolds is a friend of mine, and he lives in rural NorCal now, too!
Jim Pugh was a great player who doesn't get enough recognition, IMHO.
As a kid
Armin Rosin
Denis Wick
James Pankow
Frank Rosolino
Bill Watrous
J.J. Johnson
Kai Winding
James “Jimmie” Pugh
As a young adult I added to the list:
Chicago sections
NY Phil Sections
Joe Alessi
Christian Lindberg
Ralph Sauer
Jeff Reynolds
George Roberts
Ray Premru via Phillip Jones[/quote]
Where in rural NorCal did you grow up? I'm from L.A. but living in rural NorCal now. :) Jeff Reynolds is a friend of mine, and he lives in rural NorCal now, too!
Jim Pugh was a great player who doesn't get enough recognition, IMHO.
- Kbiggs
- Posts: 1768
- Joined: Mar 24, 2018
My dad was in the service when I was born. We lived in Irvine CA in the early ‘70’s, then moved up to Eureka CA. I saw Jim Pugh when Woody Herman’s Thundering Herd came through and stopped at Humboldt State University (now Cal Poly Humboldt <EMOJI seq="1f644" tseq="1f644">🙄</EMOJI>). I must have been a sophomore in HS. We had a VHS tape (!) of the WHTH from a live concert at a jazz festival. I wore that tape out.
Jeff Reynolds’s brother—Jim?—used to teach at Arcata HS, just across the bay from Eureka. Jim invited Jeff up to stay, and Jeff arranged to give a master class and concert at HSU. I think I was a junior. He played Folke Rabe’s Bolos with three locals. That was special. At his master class, he played a few excerpts, including the Tchaik 6th descending solo. I had never heard anything so big and beautiful. I still have that sound in my head.
I live in Vancouver WA now. I still have friends and a brother in Humboldt Co.
Jeff Reynolds’s brother—Jim?—used to teach at Arcata HS, just across the bay from Eureka. Jim invited Jeff up to stay, and Jeff arranged to give a master class and concert at HSU. I think I was a junior. He played Folke Rabe’s Bolos with three locals. That was special. At his master class, he played a few excerpts, including the Tchaik 6th descending solo. I had never heard anything so big and beautiful. I still have that sound in my head.
I live in Vancouver WA now. I still have friends and a brother in Humboldt Co.
- Savio
- Posts: 688
- Joined: Apr 26, 2018
My first trombone teacher. Not much trombone music available at the time, but got to hear George Roberts and a little later Jeff Reynolds. They became my sound ideal. On tenor Denis Wick and Ralph Sauer. The Ballads of Bill Watrous and Urbie Green. After that came youtube, spotify and now there are so many I listen to. Will not single out anyone, but many well-known trombonists and unknowns who sound incredibly good. But still listen a lot to the old ones.
Leif
Leif
- andesl10
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Nov 06, 2023
I began playing trombone in 2006, which was a fortunate time as YouTube had just been created. I remember listening to a lot of Christian Lindberg, Joe Alessi, and Nils Landgren, as they all had videos out at that time. A few years later Alan Raph began a video series, that was really influential for me. By the later high school years I was listening to Jorgen Van Rijen, Ian Bousfield, Michael Bequet, Achilles Liarmakopoulus Ben Van Dijk, Brandt Attema, and Urbie Green. All helped get my musical ideas and sound concept much more formed.
College years I really focused on the musicianship of people like Stefan Schulz and Dave Taylor.
These days, anything that is musically and artistically creative get me excited to make music. Michael Buchanan's CD along with Jeremy Wilson's content are my go-tos.
College years I really focused on the musicianship of people like Stefan Schulz and Dave Taylor.
These days, anything that is musically and artistically creative get me excited to make music. Michael Buchanan's CD along with Jeremy Wilson's content are my go-tos.
- JeffBone44
- Posts: 367
- Joined: Oct 24, 2022
[quote="WilliamLang"]Lindberg and Alessi for me! Pretty stock answers for sure, but they'll always be my guiding lights.[/quote]
Same here. I'll add Bill Watrous to that, because he was the first big-time trombonist that I saw live, and when I was in high school I would listen to his recordings daily.
Same here. I'll add Bill Watrous to that, because he was the first big-time trombonist that I saw live, and when I was in high school I would listen to his recordings daily.
- norbie2018
- Posts: 1051
- Joined: Apr 05, 2018
Ralph Sauer
Christian Lindberg
Tutti's Trombones*
*I know, this isn't an artist but I listened to this record constantly as a kid.
Christian Lindberg
Tutti's Trombones*
*I know, this isn't an artist but I listened to this record constantly as a kid.
- harrisonreed
- Posts: 6479
- Joined: Aug 17, 2018
I forgot, Carol Jarvis also inspired me to work on my lip trills and technique when I was 16-17. I've played her version of this solo on alto, tenor, and even bass (same register regardless) for years and years now.
<YOUTUBE id="mHw8P8NnUvI">[media]https://youtu.be/mHw8P8NnUvI?si=lyM0NkyGE63GzNIq</YOUTUBE>
So my fourth hero! Nowhere near as good as her, but here I am coming off bass at the very end of a long BQ recital:
<YOUTUBE id="MoDBtv1cZE4" t="124">[media]<LINK_TEXT text="https://youtu.be/MoDBtv1cZE4?si=OlkbB7E ... E2&t=2m04s">https://youtu.be/MoDBtv1cZE4?si=OlkbB7EojxCqqmE2&t=2m04s</LINK_TEXT></YOUTUBE>
<YOUTUBE id="mHw8P8NnUvI">
So my fourth hero! Nowhere near as good as her, but here I am coming off bass at the very end of a long BQ recital:
<YOUTUBE id="MoDBtv1cZE4" t="124">
- Kingfan
- Posts: 1371
- Joined: Apr 11, 2018
[quote="mcphatty00"]<QUOTE author="Kingfan" post_id="244859" time="1717965519" user_id="3053">
Pankow, Watrous, DeSano[/quote]
I studied with DeSano in my junior and senior high school years. I don't think he was playing in the orchestra anymore, but he was a wealth of knowledge. I still play on a DE lexan rim because of him and I've had mine since 1997!
</QUOTE>
I studied with him in the 70s. I just talked to him a few weeks ago and hope to take him to lunch soon.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_DeSano
Pankow, Watrous, DeSano[/quote]
I studied with DeSano in my junior and senior high school years. I don't think he was playing in the orchestra anymore, but he was a wealth of knowledge. I still play on a DE lexan rim because of him and I've had mine since 1997!
</QUOTE>
I studied with him in the 70s. I just talked to him a few weeks ago and hope to take him to lunch soon.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_DeSano
- mcphatty00
- Posts: 120
- Joined: Apr 25, 2022
[quote="Kingfan"]<QUOTE author="mcphatty00" post_id="244984" time="1718121323" user_id="15152">
I studied with DeSano in my junior and senior high school years. I don't think he was playing in the orchestra anymore, but he was a wealth of knowledge. I still play on a DE lexan rim because of him and I've had mine since 1997![/quote]
I studied with him in the 70s. I just talked to him a few weeks ago and hope to take him to lunch soon.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_DeSano
</QUOTE>
That's fantastic! Really great guy.
I studied with DeSano in my junior and senior high school years. I don't think he was playing in the orchestra anymore, but he was a wealth of knowledge. I still play on a DE lexan rim because of him and I've had mine since 1997![/quote]
I studied with him in the 70s. I just talked to him a few weeks ago and hope to take him to lunch soon.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_DeSano
</QUOTE>
That's fantastic! Really great guy.
- Digidog
- Posts: 483
- Joined: Dec 13, 2018
[quote="tbdana"]<QUOTE author="Digidog" post_id="245082" time="1718209500" user_id="4099">Lee Morgan.[/quote]
Ummmmm… :shuffle:
</QUOTE>
Seriously.
Noone; not my teachers, not my parents, not the town I grew up in, nor my orchestral directors tipped me off on records or performances with trombonists to listen to and get impressions from. I had no idea what music was played on a trombone in the first five years of playing besides quartet adaptations of songs and band or orchestral pieces. It wasn't until late in high school I found a record with Lee Morgan and Wayne Shorter, and thought "this is how I'd like to play, in this kind of music".
That record ran hot on my plate for over a year, before I found a Tommy Dorsey record and began to realize that the trombone was an instrument of its own merits.
So my musical influences on my instrument are rock, and hard rock guitarists and trumpeters like Lee, Booker Little, Freddie Hubbard, Fats Navarro, Clifford Brown and so on. It wasn't until I got into musical college that I began to seriously learn about jazz trombonists and the classical trombone repertoire.
All this is the effect on growing up in a small, rural town where there actually was a very good big band but not people around me to encourage me to listen to them and no teachers that gave me impulses on what my instrument was played like by others, and how it would and could sound played by others. I have through education and professionally often been criticised for not playing idiomatically on my trombone, but nowdays I don't care.
Ummmmm… :shuffle:
</QUOTE>
Seriously.
Noone; not my teachers, not my parents, not the town I grew up in, nor my orchestral directors tipped me off on records or performances with trombonists to listen to and get impressions from. I had no idea what music was played on a trombone in the first five years of playing besides quartet adaptations of songs and band or orchestral pieces. It wasn't until late in high school I found a record with Lee Morgan and Wayne Shorter, and thought "this is how I'd like to play, in this kind of music".
That record ran hot on my plate for over a year, before I found a Tommy Dorsey record and began to realize that the trombone was an instrument of its own merits.
So my musical influences on my instrument are rock, and hard rock guitarists and trumpeters like Lee, Booker Little, Freddie Hubbard, Fats Navarro, Clifford Brown and so on. It wasn't until I got into musical college that I began to seriously learn about jazz trombonists and the classical trombone repertoire.
All this is the effect on growing up in a small, rural town where there actually was a very good big band but not people around me to encourage me to listen to them and no teachers that gave me impulses on what my instrument was played like by others, and how it would and could sound played by others. I have through education and professionally often been criticised for not playing idiomatically on my trombone, but nowdays I don't care.
- claf
- Posts: 148
- Joined: Oct 22, 2018
Fred Wesley.
I watched a lot[url=https://youtu.be/CDzb4jhEVyM?si=TAYsJzlQVtSKLkOx]My First Name is Maceo and he's the one that made the trombone fun to me.
I watched a lot
- elainechat
- Posts: 19
- Joined: May 28, 2024
Jack TeagardenJ and Glenn Miller!
- dukesboneman
- Posts: 935
- Joined: Apr 02, 2018
My earliest influence was Bob Havens from the Welk show.
Urbie, of course. I had the great opportunity to play with Urbie when I was in High School and 4 times after that.
Jimmy Pankow, Dave Bargeron and Larry Smith from the Band Lighthouse
Pankow was a very big influence not only on my playing but also my writing
Watrous. Wayne Henderson then I discovered quite by chance 2 players that exposed me to a whole new world of trombone
Albert Mangeldorf and Grachan Moncur III - there was something in their playing that really spoke to me.
and Bob Brookmeyer
Urbie, of course. I had the great opportunity to play with Urbie when I was in High School and 4 times after that.
Jimmy Pankow, Dave Bargeron and Larry Smith from the Band Lighthouse
Pankow was a very big influence not only on my playing but also my writing
Watrous. Wayne Henderson then I discovered quite by chance 2 players that exposed me to a whole new world of trombone
Albert Mangeldorf and Grachan Moncur III - there was something in their playing that really spoke to me.
and Bob Brookmeyer
- Mamaposaune
- Posts: 657
- Joined: Sep 22, 2018
Bill Watrous was my inspiration to want to play the trombone. Merv Griffin used to frequently feature him, and when Lillian Briggs was in town, she would join him. (I really wish there were recordings of the two of them, because my pre-teen self would literally dance in the living room when they played!)
Also listened to Jimmy Pankow/Chicago, Urbie, George Roberts, and my grandmother's Tommy Dorsey 78's.
Also listened to Jimmy Pankow/Chicago, Urbie, George Roberts, and my grandmother's Tommy Dorsey 78's.
- boneAngo
- Posts: 27
- Joined: Jul 26, 2024
At first it was Joseph Alessi, it turns out his style is not my cup of tea. Then, Lindberg has been my hero till now (when i first heard his Vivaldi Winter, i know he is the one). Last but not least, i found myself like the French style so much recently and Jean Raffard will be my third one as his sound really dissolves me and make my tears out.
- EdwardSolomon
- Posts: 130
- Joined: Mar 23, 2018
My teacher, Maisie Ringham
Glenn Miller
Don Lusher
George Roberts
Chris Riddle
Denis Wick
Dudley Bright
Lindsey Shilling
Chris Mowat
Ray Premru
Bob Hughes
Frank Mathison
Glenn Miller
Don Lusher
George Roberts
Chris Riddle
Denis Wick
Dudley Bright
Lindsey Shilling
Chris Mowat
Ray Premru
Bob Hughes
Frank Mathison
- imsevimse
- Posts: 1765
- Joined: Apr 29, 2018
I began to study trombone in 1975. I did not know about any trombone players back then besides Don Lusher who played "I'm Gettjng Sentimental over you" on a record we had with the Joe Loss Orchestra. I played that record over and over and I think that was the first real raw model besides my grandfather who played "ventil basun", an old valve trombone by the Swedish brand Ahlberg & Olsson.
Later I came to study with Sven Larsson who at the time (1980-ish) was one of North Europes most hired basstrombonists. He immediately became my raw model on bass and was until I graduated from the Royal Accademy of Music. Now he is one of my closest frends. At that time I also listened a lot to Branimir Slokar for his great sound on alto. I had all his records. He became my raw model for alto and it is still that sound I strive for when I pick up an alto, but I didn't like his tenor trombone playing much.
1982 I had been accepted at the Royal Academy of music. Me and my trombone playing friend, who also had been accepted, overheard there was going to be a diploma concert, free of charge held by a young trombonist in one of the mid sized study rooms at the accademy. We thought it would be interesting to know how good you were supposed to be to study there, especially how good you could expect to be just when graduated. We were shocked. It was Chistian Lindberg who was that young unknown trombonist. It was in a room with not more than 30 seats. He played the most advanced concertos I had ever heard live with piano accompaniment. It was a long concert and it was absolutley perfect, It was clean, virtous, musical and to me something I never forget. Me and my friend left the building in shock. This was the competition we had to face, this was how good we were supposed to be. After this Christian soon became a world soloist and I collected all his records, and of course he became one of my raw models. Besides this I found a record with Miles Andersson called "Miles Andersson plays his tenor trombone again" that became a favourite. He is doing all playing on a small Williams trombone on that record. I just love that sound.
After I graduated I met and played with the best freelancers in jazz in Stockholm and learned a lot from them just by sitting next to them and listen; Olle Holmquist, Torgny Nilsson, Lasse Olofsson, Bengt Edvardsson and Sven Larsson. They were on most of the commercial jazz and pop records between years 1965-1990.
Later I added Åke Persson to my list of raw models. It was after I heard the records made between the years 1957-1959 by the Swedizh Radio Big Band. This is probably the best Swedish Big Band ever existed and professionally recorded. It was led by Harry Arnold and you can hear the faboulous lead trombone sound by Åke Persson. There are also all the records of Quincy Jones with his "Free and Easy Orchestra", but I think Åke was on second in that band and Jimmy Cleaveland was on first. Åke can also be heard in the sixties on lead with "The Francis Bohland - Kenny Clarke Big Band". The section was Åke Persson, Nat Pec and Erik van Lier, a most stunning three part trombone section. Åke is my raw modell for a lead sound. He is a good solist too, but the strong lead on those records is what folks talk about.
Besides all these Åke Persson records I also listened to Bill Watrous, Urbie Green, Carl Fontana, Frank Rosolini, JJ, The Kai Winding trombones and many more who all probably know of.
Today Håkan Björkman is somewhat of a model to me even though I'm no longer aspiring to be a professional musiscian. He is first trombone with The Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra and plays a 0.508 Yamaha 892ZX on first. His sound is fantastc on that horn and since I also play small equipment I feel we have a mutual sound concept. I like the small bore sound a lot and therefore today I'm influenced by him. I even bought that same model he plays.
/Tom
Later I came to study with Sven Larsson who at the time (1980-ish) was one of North Europes most hired basstrombonists. He immediately became my raw model on bass and was until I graduated from the Royal Accademy of Music. Now he is one of my closest frends. At that time I also listened a lot to Branimir Slokar for his great sound on alto. I had all his records. He became my raw model for alto and it is still that sound I strive for when I pick up an alto, but I didn't like his tenor trombone playing much.
1982 I had been accepted at the Royal Academy of music. Me and my trombone playing friend, who also had been accepted, overheard there was going to be a diploma concert, free of charge held by a young trombonist in one of the mid sized study rooms at the accademy. We thought it would be interesting to know how good you were supposed to be to study there, especially how good you could expect to be just when graduated. We were shocked. It was Chistian Lindberg who was that young unknown trombonist. It was in a room with not more than 30 seats. He played the most advanced concertos I had ever heard live with piano accompaniment. It was a long concert and it was absolutley perfect, It was clean, virtous, musical and to me something I never forget. Me and my friend left the building in shock. This was the competition we had to face, this was how good we were supposed to be. After this Christian soon became a world soloist and I collected all his records, and of course he became one of my raw models. Besides this I found a record with Miles Andersson called "Miles Andersson plays his tenor trombone again" that became a favourite. He is doing all playing on a small Williams trombone on that record. I just love that sound.
After I graduated I met and played with the best freelancers in jazz in Stockholm and learned a lot from them just by sitting next to them and listen; Olle Holmquist, Torgny Nilsson, Lasse Olofsson, Bengt Edvardsson and Sven Larsson. They were on most of the commercial jazz and pop records between years 1965-1990.
Later I added Åke Persson to my list of raw models. It was after I heard the records made between the years 1957-1959 by the Swedizh Radio Big Band. This is probably the best Swedish Big Band ever existed and professionally recorded. It was led by Harry Arnold and you can hear the faboulous lead trombone sound by Åke Persson. There are also all the records of Quincy Jones with his "Free and Easy Orchestra", but I think Åke was on second in that band and Jimmy Cleaveland was on first. Åke can also be heard in the sixties on lead with "The Francis Bohland - Kenny Clarke Big Band". The section was Åke Persson, Nat Pec and Erik van Lier, a most stunning three part trombone section. Åke is my raw modell for a lead sound. He is a good solist too, but the strong lead on those records is what folks talk about.
Besides all these Åke Persson records I also listened to Bill Watrous, Urbie Green, Carl Fontana, Frank Rosolini, JJ, The Kai Winding trombones and many more who all probably know of.
Today Håkan Björkman is somewhat of a model to me even though I'm no longer aspiring to be a professional musiscian. He is first trombone with The Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra and plays a 0.508 Yamaha 892ZX on first. His sound is fantastc on that horn and since I also play small equipment I feel we have a mutual sound concept. I like the small bore sound a lot and therefore today I'm influenced by him. I even bought that same model he plays.
/Tom
- ssking2b
- Posts: 487
- Joined: Sep 29, 2018
Urbie Green, Carl Fontana, Phil Wilson, George Roberts, Tony Studd, Dick Hixon, Jack Teagarden
- izMadman
- Posts: 37
- Joined: Nov 27, 2019
First, there was J.J. Johnson. Then, in my teenage years, there was obviously Carl Fontana and finally, I admired the innovation and energy of Slide Hampton.
- Bach5G
- Posts: 2874
- Joined: Apr 07, 2018
None growing up. These days, I’m an admirer of Bob McC, although not so much for his blazing speed.
- Kingfan
- Posts: 1371
- Joined: Apr 11, 2018
I just had lunch with my trombone hero. I hadn't seen him in probably 30 years. He is 80 now and not in the best of health. I suggest that any of you who had teachers who influenced you positively as youth to give them a call, take them to lunch, send them a letter or e-mail, etc. Jim told me a kid he taught as a jr. high student back in the 60's called him to thank him - the kid just retired after a a 30+ year career as a successful high school band director. It was obvious Jim was pleased. Reach out and let them know how much they meant to you before it is too late.
- Digidog
- Posts: 483
- Joined: Dec 13, 2018
[quote="Kingfan"]I just had lunch with my trombone hero. I hadn't seen him in probably 30 years. He is 80 now and not in the best of health. I suggest that any of you who had teachers who influenced you as youth to give them a call, take them to lunch, send them a letter or e-mail, etc. Jim told me a kid he taught as a jr. high student back in the 60's called him to thank him - the kid just retired after a a 30+ year career as a successful high school band director. It was obvious Jim was pleased. Reach out and let them know how much they meant to you before it is too late.[/quote]
Sadly, I have only had four trombone teachers this far in my life and my playing, and of those there are only two whom I would recognize and thank like this; one of which is since long passed (fortunately I got to play for him in a concert once, but when I tried to meet him afterwards, he was in too poor health and had already left for home), and one who now is old and I maybe should pay a visit to.
Of those other two, one was a happy-go-lucky funny-guy with a drinking habit, and one was a self centered egotist with no intentions of, and abilities for, helping a young trombonist finding his way on the instrument; a teacher who almost ruined my college studies and made me lay down playing. For all I care they can both wallow in their own miseries.
@imsevimse knows three of those mentioned.
Sadly, I have only had four trombone teachers this far in my life and my playing, and of those there are only two whom I would recognize and thank like this; one of which is since long passed (fortunately I got to play for him in a concert once, but when I tried to meet him afterwards, he was in too poor health and had already left for home), and one who now is old and I maybe should pay a visit to.
Of those other two, one was a happy-go-lucky funny-guy with a drinking habit, and one was a self centered egotist with no intentions of, and abilities for, helping a young trombonist finding his way on the instrument; a teacher who almost ruined my college studies and made me lay down playing. For all I care they can both wallow in their own miseries.
@imsevimse knows three of those mentioned.
- Mikebmiller
- Posts: 961
- Joined: Mar 27, 2018
Larry Watson. He was my teacher in Jr. High and HS.
- tbonesullivan
- Posts: 1959
- Joined: Jul 02, 2019
My heroes were Christian Lindberg and Urbie Green, mainly from the recordings I was able to get and listen to. Back in the mid 90s there wasn't much out there, no internet, and my parents were not big into classical or jazz. My high school teacher / private trombone teacher got me into Urbie Green and JJ, and other trombone friends turned me on to Lindberg. I had a tape of his that I wore out, and I borrowed a copy of 21 Trombones Vol 2 from my high school teacher, which I then made a copy of as well on tape, which I wore out.
I have sadly never gotten to see Christian Lindberg live, something I really do need to do. I did see Urbie Green live, long ago, also in the mid 90s, when the Thursday Evening club had a jazz concert held, and brought in Urbie Green, Jon Faddis (trumpet), Doc Cheatham (Trumpet), and some other players I sadly can't remember.
I have sadly never gotten to see Christian Lindberg live, something I really do need to do. I did see Urbie Green live, long ago, also in the mid 90s, when the Thursday Evening club had a jazz concert held, and brought in Urbie Green, Jon Faddis (trumpet), Doc Cheatham (Trumpet), and some other players I sadly can't remember.
- harrisonreed
- Posts: 6479
- Joined: Aug 17, 2018
If you can see Christian and Roland do a recital, it's pretty awesome. The last one I saw was so good that I asked for sheet music for two of the pieces through their publishers, only to get a hilarious response from Edition Tarrodi: "oh we're sorry, the Nutcracker Suite arrangement exists only in their heads -- So it will probably never be available but I will ask"
The other one was a piece that Roland Pöntinen wrote that unfortunately exists in pencil on paper and an almost finished finale score file that became corrupted before it was finished.
Those guys are incredible live
The other one was a piece that Roland Pöntinen wrote that unfortunately exists in pencil on paper and an almost finished finale score file that became corrupted before it was finished.
Those guys are incredible live
- LetItSlide
- Posts: 152
- Joined: Sep 01, 2022
Urbie Green
Bruce Eidem
Bill Watrous
That's in the order I heard of them. In the case of Bruce, I played with him in a youth symphony. He went on to be a top pro in New York.
If you don't know who Bruce is, you should find out. I do not know if he is still playing, but I hope he is. As far as I can tell, he never created his own online presence. He was probably too busy playing. Lots of broadway musical gigs. I never sat next to a trombonist who sounded better than Bruce, and he was just in high school at the time. His tone had a certain sparkle to it.
Another player I grew up with, but who became a trombone hero later, is John Gohl. John had a distinguished career as an Air Force trombonist. Here is a short bio on John: <LINK_TEXT text="https://www.music.af.mil/Home/Biographi ... john-gohl/">https://www.music.af.mil/Home/Biographies/Display/Article/1309235/john-gohl/</LINK_TEXT>
John and I played in high school and college together. At some point in college, John's playing started to surpass mine, because he was both talented and had a superb work ethic. One remarkable thing I remember is John's ability to play bass trombone parts in jazz ensemble with a 6-1/2AL mouthpiece on a .547 horn. He could produce a fat in-tune low C with his slide all the way out, lipping it down a bit but somehow keeping a really good sound. AND he could execute this quite fast. I tried to duplicate it and absolutely could not.
Growing up, I knew about JJ Johnson but hadn't heard him play.
One of my greatest regrets in the trombone realm is having a chance to speak with Urbie Green, but not doing so. I passed it up out of shyness. I believe the year was 1980 when he came to Fargo ND. I was part of the 20-trombone ensemble (we might not have had exactly 20) backing him. He was not in good playing shape and he stated his house had burned down. But the show had to go on. So he bravely went out and played -- nothing like the stellar playing he did several years earlier when he had visited the same town. I think the main force behind getting Urbie to town was Orville "Orv" Eidem, Bruce Eidem's dad. Orv was the director of the North Dakota State band and a fine trombonist himself.
After I grew up, I learned about many more players. The more I hear and learn, the more I appreciate the players and the instrument.
When I first heard the Marshall Gilkes solo on Bonehemian Rhapsody, my mind was blown. I had previously heard and have since heard other great stuff, but that is some mighty fine trombone playing right there.
Bruce Eidem
Bill Watrous
That's in the order I heard of them. In the case of Bruce, I played with him in a youth symphony. He went on to be a top pro in New York.
If you don't know who Bruce is, you should find out. I do not know if he is still playing, but I hope he is. As far as I can tell, he never created his own online presence. He was probably too busy playing. Lots of broadway musical gigs. I never sat next to a trombonist who sounded better than Bruce, and he was just in high school at the time. His tone had a certain sparkle to it.
Another player I grew up with, but who became a trombone hero later, is John Gohl. John had a distinguished career as an Air Force trombonist. Here is a short bio on John: <LINK_TEXT text="https://www.music.af.mil/Home/Biographi ... john-gohl/">https://www.music.af.mil/Home/Biographies/Display/Article/1309235/john-gohl/</LINK_TEXT>
John and I played in high school and college together. At some point in college, John's playing started to surpass mine, because he was both talented and had a superb work ethic. One remarkable thing I remember is John's ability to play bass trombone parts in jazz ensemble with a 6-1/2AL mouthpiece on a .547 horn. He could produce a fat in-tune low C with his slide all the way out, lipping it down a bit but somehow keeping a really good sound. AND he could execute this quite fast. I tried to duplicate it and absolutely could not.
Growing up, I knew about JJ Johnson but hadn't heard him play.
One of my greatest regrets in the trombone realm is having a chance to speak with Urbie Green, but not doing so. I passed it up out of shyness. I believe the year was 1980 when he came to Fargo ND. I was part of the 20-trombone ensemble (we might not have had exactly 20) backing him. He was not in good playing shape and he stated his house had burned down. But the show had to go on. So he bravely went out and played -- nothing like the stellar playing he did several years earlier when he had visited the same town. I think the main force behind getting Urbie to town was Orville "Orv" Eidem, Bruce Eidem's dad. Orv was the director of the North Dakota State band and a fine trombonist himself.
After I grew up, I learned about many more players. The more I hear and learn, the more I appreciate the players and the instrument.
When I first heard the Marshall Gilkes solo on Bonehemian Rhapsody, my mind was blown. I had previously heard and have since heard other great stuff, but that is some mighty fine trombone playing right there.
- dershem
- Posts: 117
- Joined: Aug 16, 2018
Mine was Dean "Sandy" Weishaupt. Former navy band player and instructor. He was Bill Watrous' teacher at the navy music school, and had the same beautiful tone, and the ideas just flowed like water. Same wicked sense of humor, too.
- Savio
- Posts: 688
- Joined: Apr 26, 2018
Mine was just a few, George Roberts, Philip Jones Brass ensemble, Chicago brass section. Today there is so many heroes, I cant pick out one. So many good players to listen, even many we never hear about. Many young ones, so many great women players. The world changes all the time. As I get older I listen more and more singers, and another instruments. Cello, violins, viola. Just to listen how they express them self and get some ideas. Played in a strange ensemble today where I was close to a viola player. She had a great sound and musically easy to be with.
But trombone heroes we grow up with will always be there.
Leif
But trombone heroes we grow up with will always be there.
Leif
- Slidehamilton
- Posts: 176
- Joined: May 05, 2018
So far no one has mentioned one of my all time favorites. He was a big influence on me and I listened to him play a lot on the Basie band, and of course that is the late great Al Grey! I got to hear him play live with the Basie band as well. No one ever sounded like him!
- LeTromboniste
- Posts: 1634
- Joined: Apr 11, 2018
As a teenager it was Lindberg, Alain Trudel and Jörgen van Rijen and locals Dave Martin (who I went on to study with) and Pierre Beaudry. Jörgen's sackbut CD inspired me to try the sackbut during my undergrad. From there it was my teacher Catherine Motuz, Simen van Mechelen and Adam Woolf.
- JohntheTheologian
- Posts: 159
- Joined: Apr 12, 2018
Although my sound concept is nothing like how he plays, the late Bill Pearce was my trombone hero growing up in suburban Chicago in the 1960s. I heard him live several times, including here in Iowa where we moved to when he was close to retirement on the trombone.
He could do amazing things with the trombone. It didn't hurt that most of his playing was in the sacred music genre which is something I'm very interested in. Doug Yeo has also done some very nice work in that area and we often listen to one of his CDs in particular on the way to church on Sunday morning.
Dan Barrett is also someone that I really have admired for his playing in the many small group swing era style jazz groups that he recorded. He has a tone that I aspire to on small bore.
He could do amazing things with the trombone. It didn't hurt that most of his playing was in the sacred music genre which is something I'm very interested in. Doug Yeo has also done some very nice work in that area and we often listen to one of his CDs in particular on the way to church on Sunday morning.
Dan Barrett is also someone that I really have admired for his playing in the many small group swing era style jazz groups that he recorded. He has a tone that I aspire to on small bore.
- sf105
- Posts: 433
- Joined: Mar 24, 2018
Two more I haven't seen mentioned yet, both very much individuals:
Dickie Wells
Jimmy Knepper.
Dickie Wells
Jimmy Knepper.
- Macbone1
- Posts: 501
- Joined: Oct 01, 2019
Another vote for Bill Watrous. My high school band director played a side of Manhattan Wildlife Refuge for me when I was about sixteen. Of course the album is almost all big band "fusion" (not a fan) but the impact of that technique on me was hard to overestimate.
A couple of years after that friend in college played me a record of the first Tommy Dorsey I had ever heard, also a strong influence.
A couple of years after that friend in college played me a record of the first Tommy Dorsey I had ever heard, also a strong influence.
- timbone
- Posts: 240
- Joined: Apr 30, 2018
In no order- Bill Watrous, JJ, Frank R, Wayne Henderson, Bruce Fowler, Curtis Fuller
- tbdana
- Posts: 1928
- Joined: Apr 08, 2023
[quote="timbone"]In no order- Bill Watrous, JJ, Frank R, Wayne Henderson, Bruce Fowler, Curtis Fuller[/quote]
Interesting to see Bruce Fowler in there, in a kind of "which one of these is not like the others" way. I liked Bruce. He was a friend. But he was nothing at all like the rest of those guys.
And I do love the inclusion of Wayne Henderson and Curtis Fuller. :)
Interesting to see Bruce Fowler in there, in a kind of "which one of these is not like the others" way. I liked Bruce. He was a friend. But he was nothing at all like the rest of those guys.
And I do love the inclusion of Wayne Henderson and Curtis Fuller. :)
- Cmillar
- Posts: 439
- Joined: Apr 24, 2018
I have to add James Pankow of Chicago for sure. Probably one of the reasons for wanting to become a musician in the first place!
But the first big heroes were the 'Trombones Unlimited' recording musicians... Mike Barone and Frank Rosolino, with Bobby Knight on bass trombone. We were young kids, but that was exciting, beautiful music with great arrangements...still is!
Urbie Green and the NYC studio cats playing on the Enoch Light and the 'Brass Menagerie' albums.
Then came Denis Wick and the 'Star Wars' movie music for sure.
Another unsung hero had to be Bob Edmonson, because we were young kids when my parents played nothing but Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass and his trombone playing was on all the recordings!
But the first big heroes were the 'Trombones Unlimited' recording musicians... Mike Barone and Frank Rosolino, with Bobby Knight on bass trombone. We were young kids, but that was exciting, beautiful music with great arrangements...still is!
Urbie Green and the NYC studio cats playing on the Enoch Light and the 'Brass Menagerie' albums.
Then came Denis Wick and the 'Star Wars' movie music for sure.
Another unsung hero had to be Bob Edmonson, because we were young kids when my parents played nothing but Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass and his trombone playing was on all the recordings!
- timbone
- Posts: 240
- Joined: Apr 30, 2018
Bruce Fowler did amazing things on trombone. That Zappa stuff was awesome and I also saw him play third in Toshiko's band in the 80's, playing unison with the sax solis. There is a release of the Fowler Brothers (5 of them) called "Breakfast for Dinosaurs" . Amazing playing, writing, production. Bruce later went on to carve himself a niche in Hollywood much like JJ who also wrote for pictures.
- timbone
- Posts: 240
- Joined: Apr 30, 2018
I have to say now that I reviewed this, Bobby Brookmeyer was again a standout voice, and on valve trombone. His work opposite Clark Terry demanded a great player. Gingerbread Men, and Mumbles are classics! You need to hear him if you hadn't. Yet another bone player that also was into arranging and orchestration.
- MaxPirone
- Posts: 624
- Joined: Mar 04, 2023
Urbie Green
Carl Fontana
Frank Rosolino
JJ Johnson
Dick Nash
Jack Teagarden
Tommy Dorsey
And many more
Carl Fontana
Frank Rosolino
JJ Johnson
Dick Nash
Jack Teagarden
Tommy Dorsey
And many more
- nwoodsxx
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Dec 28, 2022
In order of when they came on my radar:
Urbie Green
Jimmy Pankow
Bill Watrous
Dave Steinmeyer
Carl Fontana
In more recent years:
Bob McChesney
Nils Landgren
John Allred
Urbie Green
Jimmy Pankow
Bill Watrous
Dave Steinmeyer
Carl Fontana
In more recent years:
Bob McChesney
Nils Landgren
John Allred
- brassmedic
- Posts: 1447
- Joined: Dec 14, 2018
James Pankow
JJ Johnson
Frank Rosolino
Ralph Sauer
Jay Friedman
Bill Watrous
Christian Lindberg
Mark Lawrence
JJ Johnson
Frank Rosolino
Ralph Sauer
Jay Friedman
Bill Watrous
Christian Lindberg
Mark Lawrence
- JTeagarden
- Posts: 625
- Joined: Feb 24, 2025
Jack Teagarden
Lawrence Brown
Urbie Green
Harold Steiman
Bill Harris
Lawrence Brown
Urbie Green
Harold Steiman
Bill Harris
- harrisonreed
- Posts: 6479
- Joined: Aug 17, 2018
Never would have guessed!! <EMOJI seq="1f606" tseq="1f606">😆</EMOJI>
- davdud101
- Posts: 96
- Joined: Dec 06, 2023
I guess I'm still growing up. But for me, Urbie Green for sure, and more recently, Andy Martin and John Allred.
- baBposaune
- Posts: 391
- Joined: Jan 21, 2019
George Roberts
Phil Teele
Frank Rosolino
Jeff Reynolds
Albert Mangelsdorff
Raul De Souza
Hoyt Bohannon
Dick Nash
Phil Teele
Frank Rosolino
Jeff Reynolds
Albert Mangelsdorff
Raul De Souza
Hoyt Bohannon
Dick Nash
- BPBasso
- Posts: 96
- Joined: Mar 31, 2025
Many low brass players from movie soundtracks and symphony/orchestra pieces that I heard growing up in the 90s/00s
Edward Kleinhammer
Doug Yeo
Don Harwood
Charlie Vernon
Randy Hawes
Slowly discovered them after switching to bass trombone around 2004.
James Markey
I fell in love with Markey's playing and sound in 2009 once I discovered his CD, On Base.
Edward Kleinhammer
Doug Yeo
Don Harwood
Charlie Vernon
Randy Hawes
Slowly discovered them after switching to bass trombone around 2004.
James Markey
I fell in love with Markey's playing and sound in 2009 once I discovered his CD, On Base.
- jonathanharker
- Posts: 139
- Joined: Aug 14, 2022
Christian Lindberg and Tommy Dorsey initially, then I found an old LP of Urbie Green's 21 Trombones...
- sterb225
- Posts: 126
- Joined: May 09, 2018
In high school in the mid eighties, the first recordings of a soloist I encountered and sound I wanted to emulate were of Per Brevig (NYC Ballet). In 1987 as a college freshman I nearly quit playing after first hearing Lindberg, but recovered and got hooked on the CSO sound. Alessi was 'the man' for a while, for me. Now in my 50s, the ridiculous versatility of opera players like Sasha Romero are my primary influence. As I look back at my studies, all but one of the teachers I've worked with was from the Met or NY Ballet.
- JTeagarden
- Posts: 625
- Joined: Feb 24, 2025
And Harold Betters!
- Grotewobbo
- Posts: 19
- Joined: May 08, 2025
Well I didn't listen to "horn" music until I was 18 and I got hit with the Ska virus around '98. It was the kind of music I really needed and any good Ska band had at least a couple of good horn players. So I wanted to play in a Skaband and I picked up the trumpet and later switched to trombone. At 1st I only listened to the fast Ska bands and later I dug a bit deeper and went all the way to the '60s in Jamaica and found Don Drummond and Rico Rodriguez. Those 2 are still my heroes 26 years later. For old Skool Ska-Jazz and Reggae the trombone is ideal. It can cut deep through the music. You can play "lazy" tunes as well and then the art lies in the fact that you have to come up with simple melodies no one else have come up with. Don Drummond was named one of the world's best at some point.