Jazz Trombone Teaching Tips

Posts Tagged ‘jazz trombone’

The Blues Progression is perhaps the most prolific chord progression in jazz. In getting started, or developing on Jazz Trombone (and for all musicians!), listening to and perhaps emulating great players that recorded on this chord progression form can greatly enhance your enjoyment and success.

This rich heritage of blues songs dates back to 1914 with the publication of, “St. Louis Blues” by W.C. Handy. The way jazz artists play this progression through the years has certainly evolved in complexity, but at best maintains the soulful quality and spirit of the music. The playlist below includes examples of jazz combo and big band usage through the years. This is by no means exhaustive. It is a small sample that I have enjoyed, and hope you find helpful.

Blues Progression Based Tunes:

Please feel free to comment if you have questions, or suggestions for additional content.  I wish you the best in your musical journey!

Trombone Fundamentals:

Michael Kris, Low Brass Instructor and Professor at UNC continues to be a mentor for me. This playlist features his material, including fundamental information about air, slurring, and articulation. As well, he provides guidance about introductory skills like how to hold the trombone, and to develop initial sound concept.

Please feel free to comment if you have questions, or other feedback. I wish you the best in your low brass journey!

Looking for a trombone player that is very soulful, and can also tastefully “shred” the chord changes?  Can this same player also be a great composer and arranger?  Slide Hampton is that trombone player.

Slide Hampton is a tremendous innovator on the trombone in technique and musicality with varied influences ranging from J.J. Johnson to John Coltrane.

Feel free to click on the videos below to watch and listen to Slide’s masterful playing and arranging:

Slide Hampton’s blues solo from Dizzy Gillespie’s 70th Birthday Celebration at Wolf Trap

*** If you watch this on YouTube, There is a “TinyURL.com link in the top of the description that was not there when I 1st recommended this video. The music is excellent, but I would not recommend clicking on the link within the YouTube description, since I don’t know what it is. ***

LA Jazz Institute, Stratospheric Slide Hampton, “Got the Spirit”

Appalachian State University Jazz Ensemble
Trombone Choir
Winter Concert 1989
Farthing Auditorium
Tune: Lament by JJ Johnson
Featuring Slide Hampton

In A Sentimental Mood feat. Steve Turre
Gramercy Brass: Premier Band @ Caldwell College (July 31, 2010)

Woody Shaw Quintet
Live at the Music Inn – Roma – 1983

Ralph Moore Quintet – Rejuvenate!
Ralph Moore, sax
Mulgrew Miller, Piano
Steve Turre, trombone
Peter Washington, bass,
Marvin Smitty Smith, drums
Criss Cross Jazz 1035
19 Feb 1988

Steve Turre: Sanctified Shells at the Dakota

Steve Turre, playing the title track, “Rainbow People” of his 14th album
Steve Turre on trombone and shells, Kenny Garrett on Alto Saxophone, Sean Jones on trumpet and flugelhorn, Mulgrew Miller on piano, Peter Washington on bass, Ignacio Berrao on drums, Pedro Martinez on percussion

Wanting to study a modern era jazz trombone player with a personalized approach that has also invested time, energy, and respect in jazz tradition? Steve Turre is that trombone player.

In Steve’s early career he mentored under Woody Shaw in Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and in Woody’s ensemble. Also, the great J.J. Johnson was a role model (as for all of us!), and spoke openly about his enthusiasm and support for Steve.

Steve is a prolific performer, composer, and arranger invloving many diverse styles including jazz, Latin, and pop.  Some of the groups that he has performed with include Dizzy Gillespie, McCoy Tyner, J.J. Johnson, Herbie Hancock, Lester Bowie, Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, Van Morrison, Pharoah Sanders, Horace Silver, Max Roach, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk. Also of note is his innovation where he includes his masterful playing of conch shells.

Regarding Steve’s technique, listen for his individual style, sound, and rhythmically oriented playing.  Note his ability in reacting spontaneously with the rhythm section, and his ability to develop a solo and tell a story.  Also, note his use of double tonguing for multiple articulation.

One thing that strikes me about Steve is his continual contribution and follow through.  I have seen him live several times, and been honored to interact at a few events where he was showcased.  When improvising live, he simply will accept nothing less than maximum energy, and commitment.

I remember listening to his solo live at Ryle’s in Boston, MA I believe.  He was playing a great extended solo, and the form of the tune was coming around.  I thought, he’s got to be done, not sure what else he could say.  Many players might have stopped there.  Not Steve, he kept going giving the fellow musicians and the audience more than what we expected – it got even better!

Not only does Steve contribute through performing at high profile concerts, and also as a recording artist. He also gets involved with the community by performing with local colleges, often offering a master’s class or clinic related to the event where the students are impacted through getting a chance to ask questions and interact on an informal level.

Included below, and in five coming posts are video and audio examples of Steve’s performances.

Never had a chance to say thanks for that performance in Boston so many years ago – thanks Steve!

Enjoy!

Steve Turre Quartet live at New Morning, 2004

Carl Fontana with the Metropole Orchestra
Recorded May 23rd, 1988: AVRO TV Holland – Music Hall By Pim Jacobs