Joseph Alessi, Scott Hartmann, Christian Lindberg, Branimir Slokar and Michel Becquet playing a jazz medley together after the end of the International Trombone Summit 1995 Tokyo
Love that close harmony & expert , clear, crisp trombone playing. Their exquisite professional sound makes for pleasant listening, regardless of the strict definition of music genre.
Old devil Moon. This arrangement was recorded in the late 60's by the Kai Winding trombones on Impulse records. He used 8 bones including two bass trombones. There was improv on that one and it was jazz.
I don't know how people can say "this isn't jazz" and "that these players don't know how to swing correctly." These are some of the very best trombone players in the world.
@pap4456 I'm pretty sure these guys understand it and have a much larger grasp of the concept than me and you ever will. I think if they wanted to "swing" they would have. Not all jazz has to swing.
The tune is "That Old Devil Moon" from the musical "Finian's Rainbow." I'd say that this is a good reading. It's the age old controversy as to whether or not symphonic players can swing. In this case, I'd say it was somewhat strained because they are out of their element, but I think it's a decent effort and many symphonic players really dig jazz.
This is interesting. The first thing they do is Old Devil Moon off of the Eminent JJ Johnson collection. They've transcribed and arranged the melody for this configuration. The melody isn't perfect, but I admire that these players got together to play something that they wouldn't normaly play (save Alessi who was on Turre's JJ Johnson tribute album). I think it's great to see artists "cross over" and do things out of their comfort zone.
It's a question of value. Some players focus on tone quality, and accurate intonation because that is what is valued in their normal playing circles. Notice how they almost attack notes together, since they don't really play together every day. That is one thing that is humbling to the best players. Playing in a groove together takes more than a couple run-throughs. That being said, It does the Trombone community good to see the greats collaborating and showing off their base level skills!
It is my worst nightmare, I switched it off but it is still playing. I've heard Elliot Mason was begging them to let him play but they told him he plays too square.
These guys probably have comfortable, well-paid gigs with high-profile symphony orchestras doing the standard symphonic repertoire and this is just a lark for them. The eighth notes are interpreted with a dotted eighth sixteenth feel which is stiff. I would love to hear this with Bart Van Lier, Mark Nightindale, Jiggs Whigham, Bill Watrous and Wycliffe Gordon. These guys on the video clip would probably piss themselves!
Excuse me, but the rest of the trombonists here are just as notable as Joe or Christian. Michel Becquet basically paved the way for Christian Lindberg to even have the career he does now. Scott Hartman is a VERY accomplished teacher, being on faculty of Yale University, and Branimir Slokar is a very accomplished soloist having numerous cd's published
I wanted to expand on what I said before. I agree with someone who felt that classically trained jazz trombonists can crossover from one genre to the other. The so-called "legit" players have more difficulty interpreting jazz figures. They tend to interpret swing as a dotted-eighth/sixteenth note pattern instead of with more of a lilt.
Well, I might have to come into the possession of one of these. Right now I use a Conn 6 1/2 AL because.... that's all I have available to me right now. xD Dad doesn't quite understand the concept of different sized mouthpieces and doesn't see the point in buying one. So, money isn't exactly coming out the wazoo at the moment.
Really great Trombones, but why no Brandt Attema, David Taylor, Nils Landgren, or Jorgen Van Rijen? At least there was Christian Lindberg and Joseph Alessi. Go Bones!!!!
You're right, and I suppose my comment is a bit inflammatory. I draw the line for my personal definition of "real jazz" as improvisation in a jazz style; but it's really as much about the mindset of the player as anything else.
The mouthpieces come in the size 4 and 2. If you're not a very hardcore basstrombone player, I guess it'll work. But a find it a problem that there's not good depth in those mouthpieces. I won't even play it on my tenor cause the lack of good tone.
Trombone0817. if theres one thing I know its that jazz trombone players can pull of classical music way better than classical trombonists can jazz. Just listen to Bill Watrous and Bob Mcchesney, they have both crosed over and done classical before, and well tell. For gods sake look at Dave Taylor, one of the greatest jazz bass trombone players to bless this earth, and he is also a sub on the New York Phil. I rest my case there.
Technical facility and sound, yes these guys have it. The ability to swing, no they haven't got it. They interpret eighth notes as written. Jazz trombonists have the technical facility plus the right attitude and "head" for swinging, along with the improv aspect. These guys probably couldn't play a chorus if their lives depended on it.
@nickr753 then what exactly do you consider to be "real jazz?" Last time I checked there were lots of different styles of jazz. I mean one could argue that if it's syncopated then it could be considered jazz. Mind you I'm not saying that, but you should probably be more specific
Fine then, post a recording of it, Ill be more than willing to believe it if I hear it, but from listening to this recording and from looking at Zeldanerd's "SPAMED" comment, it would make people think otherwise is all im saying.
It's pretty obvious this isn't real jazz. However, it's pretty common for brass quintets or quartets to do medleys and arrangements of standards like this. Their style concept isn't perfect, but it isn't offensive. I've seen Alessi improvise before, and I wouldn't be surprised if the others can too, but that alone doesn't make for a good jazz player. The stuff right after :53 is interesting...
Hey maybe, but you have to acknowledge the greats first such as J.J Johnson, and Carl Fontana, Urbie Green, and Frank Rosolino. Like I said I dont want to bash these guys, I love thier playing, thier the best classical players you can find, but in the jazz genere I just cant bring myself to buy this.
I don't see why trombone classical legends playing a jazz medley is such a huge debate, even if it wasn't 'stylistically correct' You people should keep the youtube teaching to yourself.
I wouldn't necessarily blame their lack of ability to swing on large bore instruments. Look at Slide Hampton, one of the world's greatest jazz bone players. I believe he plays on a Bach 42!
I'm pretty sure they wouldn't care. Christian Lindberg was inspired by earlier recordings of Jack Teagarden, a world famous jazz trombonist. Joseph Alessi has said many times that he loves jazz and listens to it constantly, heck, Joseph Alessi and Wycliffe Gordon did a master class together and theyexplained the differences between classical and jazz trombone and a quote from Joe, "A good classical player should be a good jazz player and a good jazz player should be a good classical player."
Also, the slide vibrato, essential in jazz trombone playing is hardly used here. They opt for the more so-called "legit" classical vibrato which lacks warmth.
I really don't like the term "easy listening." To me there's nothing easy about it. Every time I here stuff in this style I'm on my way to some place of business I'd rather not be, like the dentist. Nothing against the bone players here. They're great. I just wish they had something else to play.
I too will have to side in with those that say this is not jazz. These are symphony bone players that are reading and playing the charts. They are not swinging at all. Still, very nice.....but not jazz.
No, if it was five of the best jazz trombonists one of them would have taken a solo and it would have swung. Plus, im not trying to be offensive, I mean wouldnt want to hear Frank Rosolino or Carl Fontana play classical concerto, same as I dont want to hear Christian Lindberg or Joseph Alessi play a jazz tune. Its just a simple matter of knowing were you fit in and were you dont.
Yeah, I have another question gestes59, why is Zeldanerd's comment spamed? Are you guys afraid that people are going to find out that they cant improvise like REAL jazzers can. No offense, but thats what it really comes down to.
@stealthedscout You missed the point completely. I'm talking about playing the wrong style. Not turning a classical tune into jazz. Imagine playing Bolero with an orchestra and putting tongue stops in it. People wouldn't dig it. It's the same reason why I don't dig this.
my ears are bleeding...could it swing any less than that holy mother... yes, these men are all excellent at classical trombone, but jazz requires more than just technique and that's a real feel for swing, and melodic concept. Listen to JJ's solo of Old Devil Moon and then these guy's interpretation and you will clearly hear what they are missing.
These guys are amazing players, but I seriously think they should stick to classical, and believe it would be awsome if they could do both, but judging from this video they cant, its just to classical.
You don't need my permission, of course, but i don't need yours as well, prune!!! Tell me, why should they do a lot more listening? Furthermore, a solo would be great, yes, but the question is:" Who cares?" The music is great. What do you want: a free jazz solo perhaps?! Come on!!!
they are oviously not jazz trombone player it is too much ''by the book'' if you kno what I mean. They're only following the chart and they are not even thight
No this is not the best as jguilhermerpinto says, if it was Jim Pugh would be there on stage. As well as Andy Martin, John Allred, Conrad Herwig, Robin Eubanks....need I say more. These cats couldn't swing from a rope.
im not saying they are bad. is it a good thing to always praise them? because I surely do not want to praise Christian Lindberg as my God. (no offense Mr. Lindberg) I'm just saying everyone has their flaws, as do you with your petulant attitude towards others.
