Thanks for this, really fun and heartening. I feel hopeful about the future.
I'm intrigued that you've talked about all these different ways of quote-distorting-unquote the trombone sound. It's deeply funny to think of Al Grey, master of the plunger, continuing to explore other ways of manipulating his sound.
I'm also excited these days by musicians (perhaps most prominently Amir ElSafar and Hafez Modirzadeh) exploring different scales and tunings -- Modirzadeh has re-tuned pianos, right -- and have been meaning to re-listen to the Lou Harrison piano concerto (Keith Jarrett has recorded it I think) and if memory serves the orchestra is strings and trombones because they can play in the temperament Harrison has written for (I have probably gotten some details wrong and welcome correction).
This is my long way around to requesting that you share your thoughts about mutes, plungers, and temperament some time!
A lot of trombone players are surprisingly square! not sure why that is. Society certainly views them as weird even if they don't view themselves that way.
Mutes and plungers, now you are getting into the weeds! May be a future post.
Wow..great compilation of 'bone players I had no clue about, and who probably wouldn't come across my radar screen unless it was for your Substack. A great reminder for us all to stay true to what we're 'hearing' and feeling.... especially when we get to be twice their age and have ended up living somewhere where this music (or even the trombone!) isn't exactly the 'flavour du jour.' Thank you for getting this 'out there'!
But isn't the trombone always already weird?
Thanks for this, really fun and heartening. I feel hopeful about the future.
I'm intrigued that you've talked about all these different ways of quote-distorting-unquote the trombone sound. It's deeply funny to think of Al Grey, master of the plunger, continuing to explore other ways of manipulating his sound.
I'm also excited these days by musicians (perhaps most prominently Amir ElSafar and Hafez Modirzadeh) exploring different scales and tunings -- Modirzadeh has re-tuned pianos, right -- and have been meaning to re-listen to the Lou Harrison piano concerto (Keith Jarrett has recorded it I think) and if memory serves the orchestra is strings and trombones because they can play in the temperament Harrison has written for (I have probably gotten some details wrong and welcome correction).
This is my long way around to requesting that you share your thoughts about mutes, plungers, and temperament some time!
A lot of trombone players are surprisingly square! not sure why that is. Society certainly views them as weird even if they don't view themselves that way.
Mutes and plungers, now you are getting into the weeds! May be a future post.
Thanks for tipping us the wink to these great musicians. Keep the recommendations coming!
Wow..great compilation of 'bone players I had no clue about, and who probably wouldn't come across my radar screen unless it was for your Substack. A great reminder for us all to stay true to what we're 'hearing' and feeling.... especially when we get to be twice their age and have ended up living somewhere where this music (or even the trombone!) isn't exactly the 'flavour du jour.' Thank you for getting this 'out there'!
Yes!! Zekkereya has been one of my favorite trombonists around since they were living in LA. So inspiring!
Another great post, Jacob!
New subscriber. Looking forward to more posts. Thanks for this one!