Big band bass trombonists
- bigbandbone
- Posts: 602
- Joined: Jan 17, 2019
Who are some of the great bass bone players of the big bands in the 60's,70's, and 80's and what equipment did they play on? I've heard some great sounds on YouTube vids of that era and I'd like to know who they were and what they played! Thanks
- AndrewMeronek
- Posts: 1487
- Joined: Mar 30, 2018
Dave Taylor with Bob Mintzer's big band. I don't know what he played on.
- sf105
- Posts: 433
- Joined: Mar 24, 2018
[quote="AndrewMeronek"]Dave Taylor with Bob Mintzer's big band. I don't know what he played on.[/quote]
Dave played on a Holton 169 for the longest time. Then I think he switched to an Edwards.
Dave played on a Holton 169 for the longest time. Then I think he switched to an Edwards.
- Bonearzt
- Posts: 833
- Joined: Mar 22, 2018
George Roberts with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, and also with the Les & Larry Elgart orchestras
Kenny Shroyer to name a few.
Most played Olds, Reynolds, Conn or Holton basses I believe
Eric
Kenny Shroyer to name a few.
Most played Olds, Reynolds, Conn or Holton basses I believe
Eric
- JohnL
- Posts: 2529
- Joined: Mar 23, 2018
Barrett O'Hara, Ernie Tack, Paul Faulise, Tony Studd. The first three all played Olds at some point.
Bill Reichenbach broke in during the '70's and is still playing.
Bill Reichenbach broke in during the '70's and is still playing.
- BoDingus
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Jun 16, 2019
Kenny Shroyer plays/played on a Conn 62h.
George Roberts preferred a single valve horn and was glad to talk about the Conn 70, Olds P-22 etc. When I met him he was playing a Yamaha but professed to not using the second valve to the point where, when he let me try the horn, the second valve had frozen.
Karl DeKarkse is a sound you've probably heard quite a bit who played on a Williams 10. He played quite a bit for Henry Mancini as well as being a session player in New York.
Tony Studd played, I believe, on a Conn 72h.
George Roberts preferred a single valve horn and was glad to talk about the Conn 70, Olds P-22 etc. When I met him he was playing a Yamaha but professed to not using the second valve to the point where, when he let me try the horn, the second valve had frozen.
Karl DeKarkse is a sound you've probably heard quite a bit who played on a Williams 10. He played quite a bit for Henry Mancini as well as being a session player in New York.
Tony Studd played, I believe, on a Conn 72h.
- ExZacLee
- Posts: 153
- Joined: May 09, 2018
Tony Studd is on that JJ Johnson album "J.J.! (The Dynamic Sound of JJ Johnson with Big Band)" - beautiful sound. I think Paul Faulise is on the companion album "The Total J.J. Johnson" - these two albums were released as a compilation called Say When in the 80's or early 90's - great writing on these. My concept as a big band orchestrator is heavily cribbed from these two albums. Wonderful work.
Jim Amlotte and Bob Knight did some great bass trombone work on the Cuban Fire album with Kenton. Kenton always had some sparky bass trombone players... Bart Varselona, Don Kelly, Dave Wheeler, and of course the inimitable George Roberts. Love or hate Stan Kenton, his orchestra (and his arrangers, Pete Rugelo, Johnny Richards, Bob Grattenger et. al.,) has. a lot of responsibility for the shaping of the "modern" bass trombone sound as used in Jazz. This is not to detract from other great (arguably harder swinging) orchestras of the time, of course.
Tom Mitchell (bass trombone) and Bill Barber (Tuba) on Miles Ahead - I always loved Gil Evans' use of low brass, bass trombone gets the occasional melodic counter line with the tuba - beautiful music.
Kenny Shroyer appears on some of the Gerald Wilson orchestra stuff. GW is one of the great unsung talents of the big band world, having lead some amazing ensembles that showed a thoroughly modern approach to big band writing. Bob Knight, Don Switzer, Ernie Track, Fred Murell, Mike Wimberly, a whole host of lesser known bass trombonists grace his albums. Brilliant writing, I'm really hoping that more of his stuff becomes available on ejazzlines.
Phil Teele is on some of the Toshiko Akiyoshi big band stuff - talk about some lunchy trombone parts! Anytime I'm doing a big band gig and I see TA's stuff on the list, I know I'm going to be spending some time in the shed.
Check out this Tochiko Akiyoshi composition March of the Tadpoles - Phil Teele on Bass Trombone I think. <YOUTUBE id="t2UjJDcE4DQ">https://youtu.be/t2UjJDcE4DQ</YOUTUBE>
Jim Amlotte and Bob Knight did some great bass trombone work on the Cuban Fire album with Kenton. Kenton always had some sparky bass trombone players... Bart Varselona, Don Kelly, Dave Wheeler, and of course the inimitable George Roberts. Love or hate Stan Kenton, his orchestra (and his arrangers, Pete Rugelo, Johnny Richards, Bob Grattenger et. al.,) has. a lot of responsibility for the shaping of the "modern" bass trombone sound as used in Jazz. This is not to detract from other great (arguably harder swinging) orchestras of the time, of course.
Tom Mitchell (bass trombone) and Bill Barber (Tuba) on Miles Ahead - I always loved Gil Evans' use of low brass, bass trombone gets the occasional melodic counter line with the tuba - beautiful music.
Kenny Shroyer appears on some of the Gerald Wilson orchestra stuff. GW is one of the great unsung talents of the big band world, having lead some amazing ensembles that showed a thoroughly modern approach to big band writing. Bob Knight, Don Switzer, Ernie Track, Fred Murell, Mike Wimberly, a whole host of lesser known bass trombonists grace his albums. Brilliant writing, I'm really hoping that more of his stuff becomes available on ejazzlines.
Phil Teele is on some of the Toshiko Akiyoshi big band stuff - talk about some lunchy trombone parts! Anytime I'm doing a big band gig and I see TA's stuff on the list, I know I'm going to be spending some time in the shed.
Check out this Tochiko Akiyoshi composition March of the Tadpoles - Phil Teele on Bass Trombone I think. <YOUTUBE id="t2UjJDcE4DQ">https://youtu.be/t2UjJDcE4DQ</YOUTUBE>
- imsevimse
- Posts: 1765
- Joined: Apr 29, 2018
If we step outside US:
- Erik van Lier I think played a Conn 73h.
- Sven Larsson (member of the forum) favoured a long time a Yamaha 321 or 322.
/Tom
- Erik van Lier I think played a Conn 73h.
- Sven Larsson (member of the forum) favoured a long time a Yamaha 321 or 322.
/Tom
- GBP
- Posts: 270
- Joined: Jun 05, 2018
[quote="AndrewMeronek"]Dave Taylor with Bob Mintzer's big band. I don't know what he played on.[/quote]
Dave Taylor has been playing in Getzen products.
Dave Taylor has been playing in Getzen products.
- BoDingus
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Jun 16, 2019
I believe, at least partly, because he was on the design team for the 6B.
- GBP
- Posts: 270
- Joined: Jun 05, 2018
[quote="JohnL"]Barrett O'Hara, Ernie Tack, Paul Faulise, Tony Studd. The first three all played Olds at some point.
Bill Reichenbach broke in during the '70's and is still playing.[/quote]
I work with a horn player who played with Bill. He was playing tenor at the the time, which I didn’t know he played.
Bill Reichenbach broke in during the '70's and is still playing.[/quote]
I work with a horn player who played with Bill. He was playing tenor at the the time, which I didn’t know he played.
- imsevimse
- Posts: 1765
- Joined: Apr 29, 2018
[quote="GBP"]<QUOTE author="JohnL" post_id="86953" time="1559965789" user_id="119">
Barrett O'Hara, Ernie Tack, Paul Faulise, Tony Studd. The first three all played Olds at some point.
Bill Reichenbach broke in during the '70's and is still playing.[/quote]
I work with a horn player who played with Bill. He was playing tenor at the the time, which I didn’t know he played.
</QUOTE>
If I remember correctly Bill Reichebach played tenor with the Toshiko Akiyoshi Lew Tababackin Big Band.
/Tom
Barrett O'Hara, Ernie Tack, Paul Faulise, Tony Studd. The first three all played Olds at some point.
Bill Reichenbach broke in during the '70's and is still playing.[/quote]
I work with a horn player who played with Bill. He was playing tenor at the the time, which I didn’t know he played.
</QUOTE>
If I remember correctly Bill Reichebach played tenor with the Toshiko Akiyoshi Lew Tababackin Big Band.
/Tom
- CalgaryTbone
- Posts: 1460
- Joined: May 10, 2018
Bill Reichenbach went on the road as the Bass Trombonist with Buddy Rich - he recorded the famous "Wave" bass trombone feature during that time. A year or so later, the lead chair opened up and he discovered that it paid better, so he moved over and played that position for a while. He's a great doubler, who plays all of the low brass instruments in the LA studios, and works in big bands and combos on both tenor and bass.
Jim Scott
Jim Scott
- rennbuddy
- Posts: 2
- Joined: May 21, 2021
Kenny Shroyer plays/played on a Conn 62h.
Are You sure about that ?
Are You sure about that ?
- rennbuddy
- Posts: 2
- Joined: May 21, 2021
- Erik van Lier I think played a Conn 73h.
no Erik played a 72H always. But he had it altered.
no Erik played a 72H always. But he had it altered.
- Vegasbound
- Posts: 1328
- Joined: Jul 06, 2019
Bill Geldard not just a great player but a great arranger too
Sheila Tracy made her name with the Ivy Benson band and had a fine career as a broadcaster and writer
Sheila Tracy made her name with the Ivy Benson band and had a fine career as a broadcaster and writer
- RustBeltBass
- Posts: 382
- Joined: Jul 17, 2018
Erik van Lier.
- Bach5G
- Posts: 2874
- Joined: Apr 07, 2018
I have a CD by Bill Reichenbach on which he plays both tenor and bass.
- Johnstad
- Posts: 225
- Joined: Mar 23, 2018
- boneagain
- Posts: 276
- Joined: Mar 24, 2018
I'm surprised no one has yet mentioned Bill Hughes. He played bass trombone for Basie for many years. He was also one of the band leaders after The Count passed away.
- imsevimse
- Posts: 1765
- Joined: Apr 29, 2018
[quote="RustBeltBass"]Erik van Lier.[/quote]
Update.
Since my last post in this thread I have bought his bass trombone :good: I know he said in an interview he played a Conn 73h but the trombone I bought was an Olds P24-G with the optional second trigger in D.
I bought this from another professional tromboneplayer who played with James Last in Germany at the time in the 80ies and then made a trip to Hamburg and bought this P24-G from him in person.
/Tom
Update.
Since my last post in this thread I have bought his bass trombone :good: I know he said in an interview he played a Conn 73h but the trombone I bought was an Olds P24-G with the optional second trigger in D.
I bought this from another professional tromboneplayer who played with James Last in Germany at the time in the 80ies and then made a trip to Hamburg and bought this P24-G from him in person.
/Tom
- imsevimse
- Posts: 1765
- Joined: Apr 29, 2018
- I've read that Phil Teele played a Yamaha 612
- I've read that George Robert's played Olds S-22 and then when his own custom crafted Olds model P-22 came in 1974 he switched to a Holton TR-183 and that he later played a Conn 110h and towards the end of his carrer he played a Kanstul 1670.
/Tom
- I've read that George Robert's played Olds S-22 and then when his own custom crafted Olds model P-22 came in 1974 he switched to a Holton TR-183 and that he later played a Conn 110h and towards the end of his carrer he played a Kanstul 1670.
/Tom
- sf105
- Posts: 433
- Joined: Mar 24, 2018
[quote="imsevimse"]- I've read that Phil Teele played a Yamaha 612
/Tom[/quote]
Indeed, they were up for sale recently after he died.
S
/Tom[/quote]
Indeed, they were up for sale recently after he died.
S
- SuperslickRick
- Posts: 3
- Joined: May 25, 2021
As an incredibly mediocre bass trombonist, my all time favorite bass trombone for anything commercial is the King Duogravis
- DonH
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Apr 30, 2020
Wait for the last note(the others are pretty good too) <YOUTUBE id="ioBDkYfDK60" list="PLDZVVHOyIwIixbHhj1p0R41OMXRJXtyhp"><LINK_TEXT text="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioBDkYf ... p&index=24">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioBDkYfDK60&list=PLDZVVHOyIwIixbHhj1p0R41OMXRJXtyhp&index=24</LINK_TEXT></YOUTUBE>
- RustBeltBass
- Posts: 382
- Joined: Jul 17, 2018
[quote="imsevimse"]<QUOTE author="RustBeltBass" post_id="149071" time="1621789616" user_id="3536">
Erik van Lier.[/quote]
Update.
Since my last post in this thread I have bought his bass trombone :good: I know he said in an interview he played a Conn 73h but the trombone I bought was an Olds P24-G with the optional second trigger in D.
I bought this from another professional tromboneplayer who played with James Last in Germany at the time in the 80ies and then made a trip to Hamburg and bought this P24-G from him in person.
/Tom
</QUOTE>
Who did you buy it from ? Surmann?
Erik van Lier.[/quote]
Update.
Since my last post in this thread I have bought his bass trombone :good: I know he said in an interview he played a Conn 73h but the trombone I bought was an Olds P24-G with the optional second trigger in D.
I bought this from another professional tromboneplayer who played with James Last in Germany at the time in the 80ies and then made a trip to Hamburg and bought this P24-G from him in person.
/Tom
</QUOTE>
Who did you buy it from ? Surmann?
- imsevimse
- Posts: 1765
- Joined: Apr 29, 2018
[quote="RustBeltBass"]Who did you buy it from ? Surmann?[/quote]
A Swedish bass trombone player who was on tour in the begining of the eighties 1982-84 something,. I do not want to drop his name and not many people here might know his name anyway unless you are a James Last fan, then you might find out because he plays this Olds P24-G in one of their movies from that tour on YouTube. The point is he bought it from Erik van Lier and now I've got it. Mr van Lier must have played it for a while but I don't know for how long. The Swedish trombone player I think did not play it very much after he bought it. He is in his 60ies and still works as a professional bass trombone player over here so most Swedish pro players probably know him.
A Swedish bass trombone player who was on tour in the begining of the eighties 1982-84 something,. I do not want to drop his name and not many people here might know his name anyway unless you are a James Last fan, then you might find out because he plays this Olds P24-G in one of their movies from that tour on YouTube. The point is he bought it from Erik van Lier and now I've got it. Mr van Lier must have played it for a while but I don't know for how long. The Swedish trombone player I think did not play it very much after he bought it. He is in his 60ies and still works as a professional bass trombone player over here so most Swedish pro players probably know him.
- Slideorama
- Posts: 242
- Joined: Jul 07, 2018
.
- baileyman
- Posts: 1169
- Joined: Mar 24, 2018
<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.jazzwax.com/2021/05/intervi ... er+Wharton">https://www.jazzwax.com/2021/05/interview-jennifer-wharton.html?utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=FeedBlitzRss&utm_campaign=FeedBlitzRss&utm_content=Interview%3a+Jennifer+Wharton</LINK_TEXT>
The great journalist Marc Myers interviews Jennifer Warren, who I could swear I saw sitting in the Holman or Huffstetter band, but I'm not sure. Yeah, she can play.
The great journalist Marc Myers interviews Jennifer Warren, who I could swear I saw sitting in the Holman or Huffstetter band, but I'm not sure. Yeah, she can play.
- Bach5G
- Posts: 2874
- Joined: Apr 07, 2018
[quote="baileyman"]<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.jazzwax.com/2021/05/intervi ... er+Wharton">https://www.jazzwax.com/2021/05/interview-jennifer-wharton.html?utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=FeedBlitzRss&utm_campaign=FeedBlitzRss&utm_content=Interview%3a+Jennifer+Wharton</LINK_TEXT>
The great journalist Marc Myers interviews Jennifer Warren, who I could swear I saw sitting in the Holman or Huffstetter band, but I'm not sure. Yeah, she can play.[/quote]
Jennifer Warren?
The great journalist Marc Myers interviews Jennifer Warren, who I could swear I saw sitting in the Holman or Huffstetter band, but I'm not sure. Yeah, she can play.[/quote]
Jennifer Warren?
- LeoInFL
- Posts: 252
- Joined: Apr 19, 2018
[quote="Kbiggs"]No love for Paul Faulise...?[/quote]
I'm fairly certain Paul Faulise played on a "JJ & Kai" album. Great tone!
I'm fairly certain Paul Faulise played on a "JJ & Kai" album. Great tone!
- LeoInFL
- Posts: 252
- Joined: Apr 19, 2018
[quote="LeoInFL"]<QUOTE author="Kbiggs" post_id="149094" time="1621815300" user_id="172">
No love for Paul Faulise...?[/quote]
I'm fairly certain Paul Faulise played on a "JJ & Kai" album. Great tone!
</QUOTE>
Sorry, I'm mistaken.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_and_Kai_%2B_6
No love for Paul Faulise...?[/quote]
I'm fairly certain Paul Faulise played on a "JJ & Kai" album. Great tone!
</QUOTE>
Sorry, I'm mistaken.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_and_Kai_%2B_6
- Fridge
- Posts: 142
- Joined: Apr 04, 2018
Paul played some tracks on the Incredible Kai Winding trombone record.
Fridge
Fridge
- Fridge
- Posts: 142
- Joined: Apr 04, 2018
Something I forgot to add. He played on the Jay and Kai plus 6. That might clear up some confusion.
Fridge
Fridge
- Massimo69
- Posts: 277
- Joined: Mar 23, 2021
Dave Taylor played a tr185 not 169,Kenny Shroyer all life around 70h or at last 72h or 73h, Paul Faulise conn 70h, 72h, olds for few time then Minick 62h, Tony Studd 72h, Bart Varsalona king bass then 70h, George Roberts (the king for me) many but he said to me basically 70h, Bill Reichenbach 62h basically first elkhart then greenhoe, barrett O'hara conn 70h then olds, Ernie Tack olds 24g,