‘7 Positions’ Hosts Ben van Dijk, Bass Trombone Solo Artist

Ben van Dijk’s contributions to music for the bass trombone are remarkable. Multi-year soloist at the International Trombone Festival, recipient of the 2003 International Trombone Association (ITA) Award and solo artist on five solo CDS is just the beginning! Accomplished educator, orchestral musician and elicitor of new works for the bass trombone, van Dijk’s recording efforts boast the highest production values and include a marvelous array of supporting musicians reminiscent of the solo efforts of George Roberts. We are ecstatic to host bass trombonist Ben van Dijk as the third respondent of the second year of Seven Positions.

bvd-firstsong1st Position
What do you look for in an instrument?

The first thing what comes to mind is an instrument that makes me enjoy my own playing. To me, that means that it has to project a beautiful sound at all dynamic levels, and in all of the different musical styles and venues I have to play in. In addition, the instrument has to give me an easy feeling so I can play it as effortlessly as possible.

2nd Position
How do you conceive of describe, or visualize an ideal tone quality?

As bass trombonist, I want my sound to be a trombone sound and not some sort of euphonium one!

It has to be as vocal as possible. I think the trombone is the instrument that is most related to the voice; just look at our rich history as a supporter of the voice.

I like to think my sound to be shaped like a pyramid: big bottom, rich center
and enough high in it.

3rd Position
What is your secret to a beautiful legato?

What I try to achieve is:
1. A continuos, un-interrupted, flow of air that makes liquid connections of notes:-))
2. As little or, when possible, no tongue to interrupt the air.
3. The most difficult one: a slide movement that does not interfere the first two points. To achieve this I think of what I always call, my jazz-slide. From the start of my trombone life I have always listened to both jazz- and classical players. I noticed more jazz trombonists, of different levels were able to play a nice legato tune than classical ones!

coverWhy? First, the typical jazz trombone player is not afraid of a gliss! He or she can even use the gliss to make the tune more jazzy and juicy! This is, in general, not done in classical music. Secondly, the jazz trombonist uses a different vibrato than the classical player uses, the slide-vibrato. To be able to make a nice, easy, quick slide-vibrato it has to come from, (here comes my secret), “a flexible controlled wrist-movement” and not a fixed one that makes the slide movement jerky!

I use this flexible wrist in combination with my arm movement going from position to position; moving the slide with the music as the pistons of Maurice André’s trumpet or the fingers of Yoyo Ma’s cello playing. Make it easy; make it effortless.

4th Position
What helps you achieve musical expression?

Be in the music and tell the story!

5th Position
Name two inspirations: one musical and one non-musical.

The voice.

My family.

6th Position-BvD
Many of your presentations have incredible polish and presentation values in addition to excellent music. You seem to be able to marshal the most sophisticated musical resources. How does it happen?
Thank you very much for seeing it this way. If it comes over this way, I have achieved my goals.

Melody_CD_vandijkI always look for music that suits me or just music I like to play and listen to.

I have been lucky to be associated with some very talented composers who have enjoyed creating some really nice compositions for me. I waited for this for quite a long time; the solo part of my career started 20 years ago when I was already 38. The first composer who wrote for me was Nick Woud, who is now solo timpanist of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Woud wrote some really nice pieces for me.

Later there were Ilja Reijngoud, Steven Verhelst and Johan de Meij, each helped me with great contributions to my repertoire. I am critical on my self, on my repertoire and am selective with whom I play. I am still learning in this, and in a way, I am happy-but think there is still much to improve!

7th Position BvD
Can you describe the moment you recognized the potential of the bass trombone as a solo instrument? Where were you, can you describe the feeling, what were those thoughts and how have they grown?

As a Dutch trombone student my teacher (American Art Moore), made me become a ITA member. In 1973, it was nearly the beginning of the organization!

In the ITA magazine, I read about the solo LP The Big Trombone by Jeff Reynolds. I ordered it and I remember listening to it the first time. The LP contained nice, new repertoire played so well-with Jeff’s great big sound. It made me dream about making something like this (on the bass trombone), myself one day. It took me 20 years to feel ready for this, and I then released my first cd Nana.

T1
What is the best trombone playing you’ve ever heard?

This question is too difficult! There are so many examples to choose from, but OK, here you are: Joe Alessi in Bolivar by E. Cook. The best bass trombone playing ever was Mr. Bass Trombone, George Roberts. Every note he played was a jewel!

Ben+van+DijkT2
What is the best trombone playing you’ve ever done?

Still to come is what comes to mind. My next CD, the fifth, entitled World Concerto, Ben van Dijk Plays the Music of Steven Verhelst. This CD will contain a Piazzolla medley. The second section is Oblivion, and I am very happy how we got this on tape! The CD will be released in the spring of 2014.

Ben van Dijk appears courtesy of Thein musical instruments and performs exclusively on Thein tenor, bass and contrabass trombones. He has been appointed solo bass trombonist with the Rotterdam Philharmonic and serves as Professor of Trombone at the Conservatory of Amsterdam. Ben van Dijk has performed regularly with the Netherlands Wind Ensemble, the Dutch Brass Sextet, and the Dutch Jazz Orchestra. His solo CDs include: Nana, First Song, Melody, Never Alone and World Concerto, Ben van Dijk Plays the Music of Steven Verhelst. His website is: www.basstrombone.nl

In recognition of his contributions to the ITA and to the trombone community at large, Ben van Dijk was presented with the ITA Award in 2003. This is the ITA’s most prestigious citation; it recognizes Ben’s artistic achievements and his tireless efforts in promoting and improving trombone performance standards, brass pedagogy, and instrument design.

T3 The Concerto, “Canticles” for solo bass trombone and wind ensemble.
Johan de Meij has been one of my best friends since I was 15 years young. We grew up together musically, playing together in youth orchestras and brass ensembles and listening to music together. Johan became a very good composer with an amazing successful career, as we all know. It took him a bit too long to write something solo for the most beautiful, impressive member of the trombone family-but he finally did!

The composition Canticles means a lot to me. He composed it to celebrate our 35 years of friendship in the year 2007 and he wrote it in memory of my late father-Piet van Dijk. As Johann writes, “He was a musician in heart and soul, and a wonderful person. As a trombone and euphonium teacher he played an essential role in my later career as a musician, for which I am still grateful”.

Canticles is a really nice piece with great melodies and interesting challenging parts for both band and soloist. It has emotional melodic parts but also moving giocoso sections where the bass trombone roars through the complete register.

never-alone-ben-van-dijk-4e397cd588c86Like always, Johan’s orchestration is of the highest quality! I think the piece needs more exposure and should be programmed more often. It is not as successful as Johan’s Trombone concerto, which is more easy to listen to, (where Canticles is darker in color). Still, Canticles is a beautiful composition, and I am very grateful Johan composed it for us.

c. 2013 David William Brubeck All Rights Reserved. davidbrubeck.com

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUd6xLQLfaQ_vIGKVosuhOQ

Interested in more “Seven Positions” tm Interviews?
Charlie Vernon
James Markey
Chris Brubeck
Doug Yeo
Jeremy Morrow
Tom Everett
Gerry Pagano
Ben van Dijk
Randall Hawes
Denson Paul Pollard
Thomas Matta
Fred Sturm
Bill Reichenbach
Massimo Pirone
Erik Van Lier
Jennifer Wharton
Matyas Veer
Stefan Schulz

c. 2013/2014 David William Brubeck All Rights Reserved davidbrubeck.com

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Stereogram No. 37A, Free Bass Trombone Music, a Reprint from “The Trombonist” of the British Trombone Society

c. 2013 David William Brubeck davidbrubeck.com

c. 2013 David William Brubeck All Rights Reserved.
davidbrubeck.com

No. 37A is based on the same hymn tune as the previously published No. 37, “‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus”, but has been placed in a higher key and reworked harmonically. It lays a bit better on the slide than it’s lower counterpart and is meant to be played at a faster tempo.

The jazz or commercial bass trombone is often a smaller and/or brighter set-up than it’s classical counterpart. Some modern commercial settings have pared the traditional big band section of four trombones down to just two. Thanks to George Roberts, the second trombone is most often a bass. In a section of two, the bass trombonist must be able to blend with a small tenor, and play comfortably in the upper register.

Although No. 37, the original, posses a darker more characteristic bass trombone timbre and charm, No. 37A is more energetic and isc. 2013 David William Brubeck  All Rights Reserved. davidbrubeck.com reminiscent of Tommy Dorsey’s expansion of the range of the tenor trombone while he redefined it’s role as a solo melodic instrument.
The upper register is often featured in the solo repertoire of the ‘cello, and it may satisfy the desires of tenor trombonists share more fully in the “Stereogram experience”.

With both versions-No. 37 AND No. 37A, you have the best of both worlds!
https://davidbrubeck.com/2011/01/stereograms-in-performance/

Let us know which one you prefer.

Drawing inspiration from the cello suites of J. S. Bach and vocalist Bobby McFerrin, David William Brubeck’s Stereograms have been performed and recorded throughout the globe. Though originally composed for bass trombone, almost all of the Stereograms have optional octave indications and work very well for euphonium, bassoon, and tenor trombone with ‘f’-attachment as well. Separate editions have been transcribed for tuba and saxophone.

c. 2013 David William Brubeck All Rights Reserved. davidbrubeck.com

Stereograms are available from Hickey’s music and other fine retailers.

Stereograms Not. 1-20, Advanced-Intermediate Original Compositions for bass trombone/bass clef instruments
https://www.hickeys.com/search/products/sku050091.php

Stereograms Nos. 21-30, Advanced-Intermediate Original Compositions for bass trombone/bass clef instruments
https://www.hickeys.com/search/products/sku092661.php

Stereograms A-M, Beginner-Intermediate Arrangements for bass trombone/bass clef instruments
https://www.hickeys.com/search/products/sku099768.php

Stereo No. 37 A page 1
Stereo No.  37 A page 2

468084_10150646250117356_841110132_oOriginally published by The British Trombone Society in their Journal, “The Trombonist”, Spring 2013.

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“Seven Positions” Hosts John Rojak, Bass Trombonist with The American Brass Quintet

Photo courtesy  John D. Rojak for davidbrubeck.com

Photo courtesy
John D. Rojak for davidbrubeck.com

A count of all of the full-time bass trombone chamber musicians in the US might be accomplished on one finger and with one name-John Rojak. As bass trombonist with one of the first and finest brass quintets, The American Brass Quintet (ABQ), Rojak has performed and presented masterclasses around the world. Since joining the group in 1991, he has recorded more than twenty albums, beginning with his first ABQ title-“New American Brass”. A staunch chamber music advocate, Rojak shines on an instrument, the bass trombone, which is rare and often scarce in chamber music settings. “My experiences with the ABQ have led me to the firm belief that chamber music is crucial for all musical performance.”

In the spring of 2000 Rojak made his New York concerto debut, performing Walter Ross’ Trombone Concerto No. 2 in Alice Tully Hall with the New York Chamber Symphony conducted by Gerard Shwarz. He has served as solo trombone of Solisti NY and performed Ewazen’s Concerto with the Daejon, Korea Philharmonic. As an Accomplished symphonic musician, Rojak is a member of the Orchestra of St. Luke’s and was hand-picked by Gunther Schuller to record Brahms’ First and Beethoven’s Fifth Symphonies for a collaborative CD to accompany Schuller’s book “The Compleat Conductor.” Rojak’s occasional performances include the Cleveland Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony,and performances for Pope John Paul II.

Mr. Rojak’s talent has flourished at all of the artistic intersections of New York. In addition to chamber and solo recordings, his resume includes a sixteen-year-run of “Les Miserables” and beams with an array of Broadway, jazz, pop and chamber music treasures. Rojak received a Bachelor of Music degree from Juilliard and held fellowships at the Tanglewood and Waterloo Music Festivals. He is on the faculties of Juilliard, Aspen Music Festival and School and serves as the Chair of Brass at the Steinhardt School of New York University (NYU). We at davidbrubeck.com are honored to have John Rojak as the second respondent for year two of “Seven Positions”.

1st Position
What do you look for in an instrument?

I played a Bach 50B2 with a yellow brass bell and a Minick open wrap dependent valve section for 32 years. It was a middle of the road instrument that allowed me to play any type of music that came up in a freelance career. When I switched to my Rath R9 I spent 3 days in their factory in northern England. I tried every part in the shop, first going back frequently to the Bach, then finessing the Rath. When I finished and everyone listening was satisfied, I found out I had built almost a stock horn with a yellow brass bell, regular weight slide, dependent valve section, stock leadpipe–a middle of the road instrument that lets me play any type of music. That must be what I look for!

2nd Position
How do you conceive of describe, or visualize an ideal tone quality?

I think a beautiful sound consists of great core surrounded by an aura of harmonics. I like to think of a rich, full, singing sound that can have a variety of colors.

3rd Position
What is your secret to a beautiful legato?

I practice with no tongue, trying to eliminate as much of the gliss as possible. Then I play the same music adding as little tongue as possible to clear up any remaining smears.

4th Position
What helps you achieve musical expression?

Technical proficiency, then I think of singing.

5th Position
Name two inspirations. One musical and one non-musical.
2607302_170x170
Musical inspirations come from so many places. I admire all musicians who play with integrity and passion. One of my teachers, John Coffey, helped enable me to not have a limited musical world.
Non-musical inspirations also come from all over: hiking in the Rockies; athletes who transcend their sport and become artists; artists who move me.

6th Position-JR
What are the advantages of bass trombone in a brass quintet? Any disadvantages?

Bass trombone is easier to blend in a quintet, particularly for Renaissance music. Whenever ABQ commissions a piece, I implore the composer to write for a bass voice rather than specifically for a trombone or tuba.

I don’t feel like there are disadvantages to bass trombone in a quintet. I think a skilled player on either bass trombone or tuba can accomplish the same musical goals.

7th Position JR
How has your approach to chamber music changed over the course of your professional career?

I don’t think my approach has changed over the years. I’ve always felt that when you have more than one player, all music is chamber music up to the largest orchestra or band. It’s crucial to have big ears and a selfless approach to music. One of my goals is to serve the music better in whatever way I can.

T1
Best trombone playing you’ve ever heard?

I have been very fortunate to have been in close proximity to a lot of incredible trombone playing. So many of the professionals I’ve heard have been amazing and inspiring that I wouldn’t try to single out even a few of them. Occasionally, one of my students will improve in a way that is more gratifying than the best playing I’ve heard!

T2
John-rojaksBest trombone playing you’ve ever done?

That’s not really for me to say! However, I was pretty happy with the recordings of Nixon in China, the Broadway cast album of Romance, Romance, and some of my brass quintet playing. Maybe the biggest relief for me was as a ringer for the Moscow Virtuosi. I was given a part for a Schnittke piece that was pretty challenging with range from pedal Db to high D. I assumed it was all ensemble playing so I learned the notes and was ready to fit in with their brass section at my one rehearsal. When I got to the rehearsal, all the wind players packed up their instruments at the break and I was left alone with the string players and tympani! Turns out, all those notes were basically a concerto. I had to rethink my interpretation and perform it the next day in Avery Fisher Hall. The New York Times mentioned me favorably, as if I were a regular member of the orchestra.

Photo courtesy of John D. Rojak for davidbrubeck.com

Photo courtesy of John D. Rojak for davidbrubeck.com


Selected Discography of John Rojak

With the American Brass Quintet
Jewels (Summit)
Cheer Boys, Cheer (New World)
In Gabrieli’s Day (Summit)
American Visions (Summit)
A Storm in the Land; Music of the 26th ‘Shadowcatcher’ (New World)
Classic American Brass (Summit)
Quintessence (Summit)
Premiere (Summit)
Fyre and Lightning (Summit)
New American Brass (Summit)
Music of David Felder (Bridge)
Chamber Music of Eric Ewazen, Volumes 1 and 2 (Well-Tempered)
Chamber Music of Robert Starer (MMC)

Solo Bass Trombone
The Essential Rochut (Belle Recordings); The Romantic Bass Trombone with pianist Robert Koenig (MMC Records); Eric Ewazen-Bass Hits: Rhapsody for BassTrombone and String Orchestra with the Czech Philharmonic Chamber Symphony conducted by Paul Polivnik (Albany); Walter Ross Trombone Concerto No. 2 with the New York Chamber Symphony conducted by Gerard Schwarz (MMC)

With The Orchestra of St. Luke’s
Voice of the Violin, Joshua Bell (Sony); Bel Canto, Renee Fleming (London/Decca); Benjamin Britten Young Persons’ Guide to the Orchestra (D-G); John Adams Nixon in China (Nonesuch); Adams Fearful Symmetries (Nonesuch); Complete Works of Stravinsky, Volumes 1-8 (Masterworks); Kathleen Battle Christmas (Sony); Dawn Upshaw Portraits (EMI); Marshall Ingrahm Fog Tropes; Charles Wuorinen Cello Concerto (Koch)

With the New York Philharmonic
Shostakovich Symphony No.7 (Teldec); Music of Stravinsky (D-G)

With the New York Chamber Symphony
Richard Strauss Le Bourgeois Gentillhomme (Delos);
Beethoven Symphony No. 6 (Delos); Schubert Symphony No. 9 (Delos); David Diamond Romeo and Juliet (Delos)

With the New York Pops
West Side Story (Angel); Christmas in the Country (Angel)
NY Pops Goes to the Movies (Angel); Live at Carnegie Hall (Griffen); Stravinsky L’Histoire du Soldat (Chesky); Adams Grand Pianola Music (EMI)

Broadway cast albums
Les Misérables (Geffen); Sugar Babies (Bway Ent); Romance, Romance (MCA)

Other Chamber Music
Chamber Music of Jeffrey Nichols

c. 2013 David William Brubeck All Rights Reserved davidbrubeck.com

Watch the American Brass Quintet in concert-Live!

Interested in more “Seven Positions” tm Interviews?
Charlie Vernon
James Markey
Chris Brubeck
Doug Yeo
Jeremy Morrow
Tom Everett
Gerry Pagano
Ben van Dijk
Randall Hawes
Denson Paul Pollard
Thomas Matta
Fred Sturm
Bill Reichenbach
Massimo Pirone
Erik Van Lier
Jennifer Wharton
Matyas Veer
Stefan Schulz

c. 2013/2014 David William Brubeck All Rights Reserved davidbrubeck.com

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Los Angeles Studio Legend Phil Teele Inaugurates Year Two of the “7 Positions” Interview Series

Phil Teele is one of the greatest Los Angeles studio bass trombonists of all time. Recording the bass (and sometimes contrabass), trombone parts on countless film soundtracks ranging from The Godfather & Indiana Jones, to The Color Purple or Star Trek-is the merest sliver of Phil’s outstanding work.

Teele has not only been an accomplished musician in the studio, but enjoys an excellent reputation in classical, commercial and jazz idioms as well. Phil was the featured (contra) bass trombone soloist on Toshiko Akiyoshi’s famous bass trombone feature: “I Ain’t Gonna Ask No More!” and has inspired other bass trombone features such as, “Saturday Night Is the Loneliest Night of the Week” from the “Sinatraland” CD. He has a solo recording entitled “Low and Outside” and has served featured soloist and clinician at the Dutch Bass Trombone Open. Phil Teele is a legendary and inspiring bass trombonist. We are delighted to host Mr. Teele with the first installment for the second season of ‘7 Positions”.

Enjoy!

1st Position
What do you look for in an instrument?

Response and comfort.

2nd Position
How do you conceive of an ideal tone quality?

The one inside your head; I get mine with long tones

3rd PositionSynthetic Division-3
What is your secret to a beautiful legato and a ballad?

First, have command of your instrument, then play what you feel.

4th Position
What helps you achieve musical expression?
(Especially in solos, particularly in jazz).

Being real and knowing what you’re playing.

5th Position
Name two inspirations. One musical. One non-musical.

1. Frank Rosolino
2. Osho

Sinatraland-16th Position PT
What has being part of the great LA trombone tradition meant to you? How has it influenced you?

I was lucky to work with the great guys: Dick Nash, Lloyd Ulyate, Joe Howard, George Roberts, Kenny Shroyer, Dick Noel, Charlie Loper, and others. They showed me the standard of an artist.

7th Position PT
What would it surprise people to know about recording music for movies? Which skills are most valuable to be successful?

Being able to sight-read anything.

Good sound.

Be able to play hard things over and over.

Nerves of steel.

When I started working in the studio scene, I was amazed at how good everyone was-big sounds, great intonation. They could play anything, any style.

Once, I walked on the sound stage at Fox. It was a call with Jerry Goldsmith for a TV show called “The Studio”. It started with a pedal ‘C’ slurring up to a pedal ‘D-flat’,and stayed in that register for 24 bars then another 12 bars of highly technical trigger register stuff then some soft stuff then at the end after about 24 bars of rest there was a part starting on an ‘F’ in the staff up to an ‘A’ down to an ‘A-flat’ then up to a high ‘B’, diminishing to pianissimo over 5 bars.

We rehearsed for 1 hour, then takes for 1 hour. This was the 10% terror you’ve heard guys talk about. The point is that you can run into anything and have to play it over and over and not miss. The call with Jerry had only a violin, a viola, a cello, a flute, and a clarinet, so I was pretty exposed.

Being a studio player is like being a matador; you never know when you will be gored.

Low and Outside-2

T1 What is the best trombone playing you have ever heard?
Anything by Frank Rosolino, Carl Fontana, J. J. Johnson, Bill Watrous, Curtis Fuller, Jack Teagarden, Dick Nash, George Roberts, Kenny Shroyer, and a lot of other guys.

T2
What is the best trombone playing you have done
?
What I did with Alex North, Jerry Goldsmith, John Williams, Billy May Nelson Riddle, Johnny Mandel, Shorty Rogers, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Randy Aldcroft and Sammy Nestico, to name a few.

c. 2013 David William Brubeck All Rights Reserved. davidbrubeck.com

Teele Cover024Phil Teele has been gracious enough to include one page of his famous warm-ups (or daily routines), entitled “Advanced Embouchure Studies for Bass Trombone” for the readers of davidbrubeck.com

PhilTeele

c. 2001 Phil Teele All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission. Courtesy of davidbrubeck.com

Interested in more “Seven Positions” tm Interviews?
Charlie Vernon
James Markey
Chris Brubeck
Doug Yeo
Jeremy Morrow
Tom Everett
Gerry Pagano
Ben van Dijk
Randall Hawes
Denson Paul Pollard
Thomas Matta
Fred Sturm
Bill Reichenbach
Massimo Pirone
Erik Van Lier
Jennifer Wharton
Matyas Veer
Stefan Schulz

c. 2013/2014 David William Brubeck All Rights Reserved davidbrubeck.com

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Miami Wind Symphony Presents: Allegro from Rimsky-Korsakov’s Concerto for Trombone, Featuring David William Brubeck

PostcardConcert2013-1

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YouTube Channel Launched by davidbrubeck.com

We are please to announce that four videos of DUO BRUBECK have been posted on YouTube to launch our new You Tube channel: davidbrubeck.com We invite you to subscribe and to register your opinions if you ‘like’ our posts. Future posts will continue to feature the jazz bass trombone and guitar duet DUO BRUBECK as well as: the nine piece virtuoso Brass Miami; the innovative trumpet and bass trombone duet videos of The Brubeck-Neal Duo; Stereograms, where The Bach Cello Suites meet the style of vocalist Bobby McFerrin; and educational videos from TROMBA-The Ultimate Plastic Trombone.

The first four DUO BRUBECK videos were captured on an iPhone 5.

DUO BRUBECK, featuring Tom Lippincott, performs “Sumertime” by George Gershwin-Live:

DUO BRUBECK is inspired by and celebrates the rich tradition of great jazz guitar and trombone duos such as Bob Brookmeyer & Jim Hall or Joe Pass & J. J. Johnson. Instead of a traditional six string guitar, featured soloist Tom Lippincott uses an eight string guitar-featuring an additional B, (a fourth below the traditional low E), and another A a fourth above the top string. A lifelong devotee of jazz improvisation, Lippincott was inspired by the piano, “Although I love the guitar, I’ve often been envious of some of the things pianists can do that guitarists cannot. In my quest to be able to play more extensive contrapuntal ideas and play chords with more notes that cover a wider range, I thought: why not have a guitar built with both?” Lippincott’s solution was to seek out an eight string guitar which has allowed him to expand the roles of the guitar to simultaneously play bass, melody, and chordal extensions.

DUO BRUBECK, featuring Tom Lippincott, performs “Sea Journey” by Chick Corea-Live:

Meanwhile, Brubeck performs on the lower pitched and darker toned bass trombone(rather than the more typical tenor trombone), which is typically melodic, or provides a rhythmic bass. Inspired to combine both melody and bass lines by alternation, Brubeck created an implied homophony reminiscent of jazz vocalist Bobby McFerrin. Brubeck’s original solo compositions for bass trombone using this technique are entitled ‘Stereograms’. More than 30 have been published by the International Trombone Association, and have been performed and recorded around the world, and even been adapted for baritone saxophone and tuba.

DUO BRUBECK, featuring Tom Lippincott, performs “Just In Time” by Jule Styne-Live:

DUO BRUBECK combines both of the eight string guitar concept of Lippincott with the Stereogram concept of Brubeck to create a truly unique and seamless weave of melody, chords, and bass lines from instrument to instrument. The glistening sound of DUO BRUBECK is a fascinating and pulsating rhythmic melange of complimentary waves of sound.

DUO BRUBECK, featuring Tom Lippincott, performs “And I Love Her” by Lennon & McCartney-Live:

c. 2013 David William Brubeck All Rights Reserved davidbrubeck.com

Special thanks to Kristina Goldson for capturing “Sea Journey”, “And I Love Her” and “Summertime” on the iPhone.

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Celebrating the First Anniversary of “Seven Positions” the Interview Series

davidbrubeck.com Painting Courtesy of Barbie Brubeck c 2012 Barbie Brubeck All Rights ReservedIt is hard to believe it has been a year since davidbrubeck.com launched “Seven Positions” with an interview of bass trombonist Charles Vernon. Our first “partial” is complete and we would like to extend our most sincere gratitude and appreciation to our first respondents. They have been gracious, giving and kind. It is difficult to imagine a more distinguished list: The extraordinary bass trombone soloist and member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Charles Vernon; an astonishingly accomplished young bass trombonist who is a recorded soloist and performs with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, James Markey; the incomparable jazz bass trombone soloist, bassist, composer and leader of the Brubeck Brothers jazz quartet, Chris Brubeck; Professor of Trombone at ASU, inspiring soloist, former bass trombonists with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and visionary internet pioneer, Doug Yeo; a fresh voice and perspective on classical music for this generation and bass trombonist of the New World Symphony, Jeremy Morrow; trailblazing bass trombone recitalist, scholar, founder of the International Trombone Association and former Professor at Harvard University, Thomas Everett; and remarkable bass trombone soloist, member of the St. Louis Symphony and her trombone quartet, Gerry Pagano. What follows is small sample, or appetizer, with each interview interwoven with highlights from the first year of “Seven Positions”.

1st Position Jeremy Morrow
What do you look for in an instrument?

imagesIt’s really quite simple for me. I play on whatever is the vehicle for my best sound. Smart practice and expressive intent makes a good instrument have the sound I desire.

1st Position Tom Everett
What do you look for in an instrument?

Instrument choices are of course guided by the player’s personal concepts, priorities and demands for the ensembles and styles they perform. In general, I would look for an instrument that was comfortable to play, both in the physical feel (balance and left hand comfort) and ease of playing (sound production/response). The single most important concern is the sound/tone quality produced on the instrument. Was the tone centered/focused, yet flexibly? Everett PhotoMy personal bass trombone tone concept and playing situations led me to choose an instruments that produced a dark/mellow sound that would blend well in section playing. Next is the tuning (overtone series, alternate positions) and consistency of response throughout all registers.

2nd Position James Markey
How do you conceive of an ideal tone quality?
mzi.jjjvmbvv.100x100-75Good question. I like to think of tone as not born in a vacuum! We need to listen to recordings of people, brass players and non-brass players alike, and listen for some of the characteristics of sound that make them sound beautiful. Every instrument/player at the highest level has both breadth of sound AND clarity of sound. The mix changes among instrumental groups and families, but there’s still a mix. The more we hear others play, the better idea we have in our head of what a beautiful sound is.

2nd Position Chris Brubeck
How do you conceive of (describe/visualize) an ideal tone quality for each instrument?

There are lots of wonderful and different approaches to making a sound on the instrument. I would add from a personal taste perspective that I don’t like the diaphragm vibrato approach so much. I believe that the trombone is the only Western brass instrument that HAS the ability to create a vibrato with a slide. I often think about how much I love recordings of the Hammond B3 and how the spinning Leslie speaker kicks in at different times to add ChrisBrubeckexpression to the music. We “spin” our sound as brass players too and I think it is an appropriate tool to use on the trombone varying a straight tone or a slight vibrato to end a phrase. That notion comes a lot from hearing Paul Desmond on the alto sax all my life and checking out how he lyrically tapered his phrase ends. I loved J.J. Johnson’s sound and had a book by him when I was starting out. By contrast I totally love Wycliff Gordon’s “rough and tumble” approach as well. What I also really like and strive for is a big Classical music taboo. In the same way that I like the coarse sound of a singer like Joe Cocker over Johnny Mathis, I like to hear notes “split” and 2 octaves seep through the tone in a subtle way.

Regarding my bass, I got it before the world or I heard Jaco Pastorius who revolutionized the electric bass concept with his new sound, but I got my fretless Rickenbacker because it sounded MORE like an upright than anything like Jaco’s tone. I wanted to use the more upright bass sound in rock and took it into my jazz life. I grew up listening to Eugene Wright in my Dad’s group and he was a meat and potatoes kind of player from Chicago. I really gravitated to that concept of “holding the fort” while every one else was exploring off the musical charts. Plus it was very practical to put my bass guitar in an overhead bin on the plane and not have to buy a seat for Mr. B. Fiddle. This meant also that I always had to check my trombone down below in cargo. Thankfully Protec is finally making a hard plastic molded case that doesn’t cost a fortune, protects your horn adequately and isn’t made out of canvas and balsa wood as in previous years.

Doug Yeo Take 13rd Position
What is your secret to a beautiful legato? Doug Yeo

Relaxation. Keep your wrist relaxed. Our body is made of hinges. Use the hinges closest to the slide before your use any hinges further away. So use your fingers before your wrist, use your wrist before your elbow, use your elbow before your shoulder. Too many players move their slide only with their elbow because their right wrist is frozen. We articulate with air and tongue and valve – not with the hand slide. So make your slide motion relaxed and easy – whether you’re playing legato or marcato. Then remember this: warm air = warm sound; cold air = cold sound. In most legato playing, we want warm sound – keep the tongue relaxed like you’re yawning (one of the basis points of my teacher – Edward Kleinhammer – and his pedagogy) .

davidbrubeck.com Charles Vernon c 2006 NY TImes Permission Requested4th Position Charlie Vernon
What helps you achieve musical expression?
Singing every note from my soul.

4th Position James Markey
What helps you achieve musical expression?
Once again, the key here is listening. Music is a language. If you want to learn how to speak French beautifully, you have to live in France. Sure, recording yourself speaking French can be a great tool, but if you don’t actually know what French should sound like, you’re not going to get very far! And you mustn’t take it for granted that you understand good phrasing and musicianship. We ALWAYS have much to learn about things one COULD do to sound beautiful. Once you have this vocabulary, you can put it together to form “musical sentences”. But if you don’t know the words, or decide that you like the word “dinosaur” instead of “sandwich”, you’re going to confuse a lot of people when you start talking about lunch!

5th Position Chris Brubeck
Name two inspirations. One musical and one non-musical.

I know in my case it’s a rather predictable response but I would be fooling myself if I didn’t admit that my father, his talent, his musical eclecticism and hard work ethic, were a major influence on the kind of musician and composer that I have become. I know you only asked for two inspirations but I’m going to also throw in that I was deeply inspired by the Beatles and also by Bach and Stravinsky. For a non-musical inspiration, I think I’d have to pick Mark Twain. I have loved reading his works since I was a kid and got re-acquainted with him a few years ago when I was commissioned to write a piece based on his life. Twain had a deep social conscience and used his abundant imagination and sense of humor to make powerful insights into the American psyche.

6th Position-Chris Brubeck
What challenges and attributes does the bass trombone bring to small group jazz?
Sometimes it’s hard for people who are not trombone players to understand and utilize the differences between 58390945bass and tenor trombone. Depending on the player, usually a bass trombone player can’t be expected to pull off all of the “traditional” tenor sax and trombone leads in the bop jazz combo setting. Yet, if you do it right, it can be a fine instrument in a small ensemble. On the other extreme end of the spectrum, I used to play with a horn funk band sometimes and be asked to replace the bari sax functions in a Tower of Power-like horn section. That was challenging and fun. There was a lot of funky huffing and puffing!

6th Position-Doug Yeo
As someone trained in the ‘Chicago-Style’, how would you assess the strengths of that approach? What modifications have you made to it?

It is usually misunderstood. I trained under Edward Kleinhammer who played bass trombone in the Chicago Symphony from 1940-1985. Many people think that great brass section he played in (what I call, “old Chicago” to differentiate it from the current, “new Chicago” section) was all about playing loud and long. Actually, they were about unity of concept. From Adolph Herseth on first trumpet to Arnold Jacobs on tuba, the old CSO brass section played with unanimity of concept. The whole was much greater than the sum of the parts. Today, we usually hear orchestra sections made of tremendous players but they don’t add up to be better than the individuals because too many individual voices are competing for attention. I have tried to be purposely contextual in my playing.

Fleur De Lis St. Louis Symphony Trombone Quartet CD

Fleur De Lis
St. Louis Symphony Trombone Quartet CD

6th Position-Gerry Pagano
Why do you think that the bass trombone is such a compelling solo bass instrumental voice and what are its closest rivals?

(You, of course, have assumed I find it a compelling solo voice!) I find the beauty of its rich sound, with its wide range and expressive quality to be unique. The bass trombone is really just starting to get some music written for it. And it has no rivals!

7th Position Doug Yeo
Most musicians meet their limitations. You seem to be a rare individual who has succeeded as an ensemble player, a conductor, a soloist, a writer, and an educator. How do you do it?

I don’t do it. God has done it. I have an insatiable curiosity and that has led me down many rabbit trails in life. These trails have led me to a life filled with discovery and wonder. I still sleep 8-9 hours a day. I learned long ago that if I am tired, ill or dead, I can’t do anything. I have tried to help people discover their own joys in living. I don’t think I ever set out to purposely do all that I have accomplished; truly I have tried to faithfully follow God’s leading in my life and it has taken me to some unexpected places. I find it remarkable, and feel very blessed.

7th Position-Gerry Pagano
Is there any musical setting where you can imagine, or would like to see the bass trombone put to greater use?
I would like to see greater use of the bass trombone in small chamber settings, and not just with other brasses.

Snging Trombone Vernon7th Position, Charlie Vernon
What would it surprise people to know about Jacobs, Kleinhammer, Crisafulli, and Friedman?
Four different styles of playing all going for a similar result.

T1 Jeremy Morrow
Best trombone playing you’ve ever heard?

Perhaps most moving trombone solo performance I ever heard was Dave Taylor at the Summer Trombone Workshop in Philadelphia. He played arrangements of Schubert lieder that nearly made me cry. The best orchestral trombone playing I’ve heard live was a Chicago Symphony Bruckner 8 performance – there was so much passion and power; I’ll never forget it.

T2 Best playing you’ve ever done? Tom Evrett
My most satisfying (and single moment of perfection) occurred as a member of a ITW faculty trombone choir (twenty-one players) backing up guest soloist Urbie Green. Tom Streeter and I shared a bass trombone part. At the end of one ballad, we played a soft low C (below the bass clef) on the sustained final C chord. The chord was absolutely perfect. As Tom and I looked down the ensemble to acknowledge the bass trombonists that had simultaneously produced the C an octave higher, we realized that it was George Roberts and Lewis Van Haney! Doesn’t get any better than that.

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Polish Translation of “The Pedagogy of Arnold Jacobs”

davidbrubeck.com Arnold Jacobs courtesy of windsongpress.comArnold Jacobs was known as an excellent performer. In his long and illustrious performing and recording career with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, with its brass quintet, and as a soloist, he touched millions of listeners over several generations. Others may have known of Mr. Jacobs chiefly through his theories on breathing and pulmonary function. To medical supply companies, professionals in medicine, and scholars alike, he was a gifted investigator and knowledgeable scientist. Despite these impressive credentials, it could be said that his greatest achievements have been through his teaching. With unparalleled success, and encompassing all types of wind instruments, Arnold Jacobs’ students have been some of the finest wind players in the world. Many attribute all or a large part of their success to Mr. Jacobs, a man many consider to have been the greatest brass teacher of all time.

We are very excited about the first translation for davidbrubeck.com, and to announce that theIMG_3499 Polish translations to parts one though five of “The Pedagogy of Arnold Jacobs” are now available. These translations reflect the lasting importance of Jacobs’ concepts and teachings. Links to both the Polish translation and the original article in English are found below.

“When David Brubeck’s ‘The Pedagogy of Arnold Jacobs’ first came out, I was at Mr. Jacobs’ home. He was very impressed about it and had me read it on the spot. As usual, Mr. Jacobs was correct, it was an outstanding article that I eventually quoted half a dozen times in ‘Arnold Jacobs: Song and Wind’. David Brubeck did a fantastic job and this is a must-read for anyone interested in the teachings of Arnold Jacobs.” Brian Frederiksen

The Polish translations of “The Pedagogy of Arnold Jacobs”:

Arnold Jacobs – Polish Translation – Part 1 of 5-1

Arnold Jacobs – Polish Translation – Part 2 of 5

Arnold Jacobs – Polish Translation – Part 3 of 5

Arnold Jacobs – Polish Translation – Part 4 of 5

Arnold Jacobs – Polish Translation – Part 5 of 5

“The Pedagogy of Arnold of Jacobs” in English:

https://davidbrubeck.com/2009/02/the-pedagogy-of-arnold-jacobs-part-1/

https://davidbrubeck.com/2009/02/the-pedagogy-of-arnold-jacobs-part-2/

https://davidbrubeck.com/2012/07/the-pedagogy-of-arnold-jacobs-part-3/

https://davidbrubeck.com/2012/07/the-pedagogy-of-arnold-jacobs-part-4-of-5/

https://davidbrubeck.com/2013/03/the-pedagogy-of-arnold-jacobs-part-5-of-5/

TUBA Journal Jacobs018Originally published in the TUBA Journal, Fall 1991 Volume 19, Number 1.

C. 1991 David William Brubeck All Rights Reserved. davidbrubeck.com

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‘Seven Positions’ with Gerry Pagano-Bass Trombonist with the St. Louis Symphony

'Connections',  Gerry Pagano Bass Trombone

‘Connections’,
Gerry Pagano
Bass Trombone

St. Louis bass trombonist Gerry Pagano is accomplishing exciting music and projects on the bass trombone! From solo recitals, to collaborating with Edwards and Getzen on their new bass trombones, to recording a new CD with the Trombones of the St. Louis Symphony, he is moving the bass trombone forward in a beautiful manner. Pagano’s committment to finding and inspiring new music for the instrument is evident, and the positive musical and personal chemistry of the St. Louis Symphony Trombone Section is audible. We are pleased to have Pagano respond for our seventh installment of ‘Seven Positions’.

Gerry Pagano

Gerry Pagano

1st Position
What do you look for in an instrument?

I look for a few things: resonance, clarity, even playing across all registers, how the horn slots, if it is easy to center, and consistence at all dynamics.

2nd Position
How do you conceive of describe, or visualize an ideal tone quality
?
I conceive of sound as perfect resonance at each pitch level with fulness and some life. You might think of this as what a church bell sounds like when rung.

3rd Position
What is your secret to a good legato?

(If I tell you the secret to a beautiful legato, then it won’t be a secret anymore!) To me, its continuous air, and smooth fast slide movements.

4th Position
What helps you achieve musical expression?

I try to always hear what I play in my head as I’m playing bass trombone. Being able to get away from reading music helps!

St. Louis Symphony Trombones

St. Louis Symphony Trombones

5th Position
Name two inspirations. One musical and one non-musical.

Musical inspirations would include Coltrane, Stavinsky and many others. Definitely my colleagues in the St. Louis Symphony Trombone Section: Tim Myers, Jon Reycraft and Vanessa Fralick. I find new ones all the time; there are so many great musicians.

If you keep your eyes open, you can be inspired daily. I saw a woman working the cash register at a Walmart, who had to be in her 70’s. She smiled, and was cheerful to everyone. Wow, that’s inspirational

Fleur De Lis St. Louis Symphony Trombone Quartet CD

Fleur De Lis
St. Louis Symphony Trombone Quartet CD

6th Position-GP
Why do you think that the bass trombone is such a compelling solo bass instrumental voice and what are its closest rivals?

(You, of course, have assumed I find it a compelling solo voice!) I find the beauty of its rich sound, with its wide range and expressive quality to be unique. The bass trombone is really just starting to get some music written for it. And it has no rivals!

7th Position-GP
Is there any musical setting where you can imagine, or would like to see the bass trombone put to greater use?
I would like to see greater use of the bass trombone in small chamber settings, and not just with other brasses.

T1 Best trombone playing you’ve ever heard?
Again my colleagues-(Tim, Jon, & Vanessa), Charlie Vernon, Jim Markey, Joe Alessi, Steve Lange for Classical music. For Jazz: Jimmy Knepper, J.J. Johnson of course, Andy Martin, Dennis Rollins, and JIM PUGH! But this is only a partial list!

T2 Best playing you’ve ever done?
I still haven’t done my best playing, so far I’ve not been all that impressed with what I’ve done.

davidbrubeck.com c 2013 David William Brubeck All Rights Reserved.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1655885023/fleur-de-lis-the-trombones-of-the-st-louis-symphon?ref=live

Interested in more “Seven Positions” tm Interviews?
Charlie Vernon
James Markey
Chris Brubeck
Doug Yeo
Jeremy Morrow
Tom Everett
Gerry Pagano
Ben van Dijk
Randall Hawes
Denson Paul Pollard
Thomas Matta
Fred Sturm
Bill Reichenbach
Massimo Pirone
Erik Van Lier
Jennifer Wharton
Matyas Veer
Stefan Schulz

c. 2013/2014 David William Brubeck All Rights Reserved davidbrubeck.com

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“THE CRAFTSMAN’S BENCH” TM Presents: Eric Swanson, Dallas Freelancer and Repairman

Eric Swanson has been a prominent orchestral, commercial and recording bass trombonist in the Dallas Ft. Worth area for more than 30 years. He has performed as the bass trombonist with the Dallas Opera Orchestra for more than twenty of those years, and his numerous performance credits include names like Sinatra, Woody Herman and Ella Fitzgerald. Along the way, Eric discovered and fostered a talent in instrument repair and has gained an excellent reputation. Mr. Swanson is in the enviable position of having owned and played some of the finest bass trombones ever produced, and is the developer of a superb solotone mute for bass trombone. We are honored to have Eric Swanson join us for the second installment of The Craftsmen’s Bench.

NY Bach 50 bass trombone

NY Bach 50 bass trombone

The Bach 50 is probably the most popular and influential bass trombone, why?
The Conn 70H bass trombone was very popular from the 1920s through the 1950s, and the Conn 72H after that. The Bach 50B was a larger trombone from the tuning slide through the bell (although both bells ended up 9.5 inches). I think it just has a bigger, fatter sound than the Conn 70 series horns. The Conn 60H and 62H models came out in the late 1960s and were more similar in size to the Bach, and quickly became very popular horns with most players. When Conn went downhill after the factory moved to Abilene, Bach started to really regain their popularity. My personal feelings are that the Bach has a more organic sound and feel, like it is part of the player. The newer horns, Yamaha, Edwards, Shires, Getzen, and others, just don’t seem like they are part of me like the Bach does.

What makes Bach Mt. Vernon trombones so special?
I don’t think anyone really knows. I guess the fact that they are scarce makes them valuable. It could be that the ones that survive today were probably ones that were taken care of, for the most part played by professionals and hand picked back when they were new. I’m sure there were some dogs made back then too, possibly they didn’t survive. Also, they weren’t producing the large numbers of instruments back then that they do now, so Bach back then was more like Shires or another smaller operation is today.

Has anyone come close to replicating that sound?
I think you could find a really good new Bach today if you tried out a bunch of them until you found the one that was right for you. In other words, I think they still make good horns today. I have played a Shires bass that I thought played great and would have bought if I needed a horn. I like the Yamaha bass and their jazz horns, they play great but don’t have the sound quality of the old Bachs and Conns, but if I needed a horn today and didn’t have the luxury of trying out dozen of horns I would probably buy one and be pretty happy with it. I’ve played a few Edwards basses that I could easily play in place of my Bach. The sound might not be exactly the same, but I would get used to it with no problem.

Photo Courtesy E. Swanson

New York Bach 50, 9″ Bell

What is the best bass trombone you have played?
People seem to think the Mt. Vernon Bach Trombones are the greatest. My personal favorite is a New York Bach, but I have a Mount Vernon which plays very well. Charlie Vernon also plays a New York Bach Bass Trombone. He thought he had the only one until I told him I have two and my friend Jason has one also. He couldn’t believe it! Although I have not seen a Mount Vernon 9″ bell. I have a New York 9″ bell, which was the standard size at one time.

How did you get into music?
My parents are both musicians. My dad was a band director, tubist, and the principal string bassist in the Springfield, Missouri Symphony for many years. Mom was an elementary music teacher and church choir director. I had both parents as teachers from about 3rd through 7th grade. My dad had a trombone in the closet, so he let me start on that in 4th grade. I added tuba in 7th grade, and euphonium in high school. I started playing bass trombone in college at the University of North Texas (UNT), but I have always continued to play tenor trombone as well.

Who were your heroes?
I would say that my dad was one of my heroes for sure. Later, in high school I discovered albums by Urbie Green and Bill Watrous. In college, I was turned on to Rosolino and Fontana which I listen to all the time hoping a tiny bit of what they could do will rub off on me.

What have been some of your most memorable moments in music?
Well, there have been so many. I have had a 33 year career as a professional trombone and tuba player so far. I have really enjoyed my 23 years with the Dallas Opera Orchestra on bass trombone, especially performing the Wagner operas. I have gotten to sub in the Dallas Symphony many times, and been lucky enough to have recorded four albums with them. And I especially enjoyed playing with Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme, and some of the other great singers.

How did you become involved with instrument repairs?
I played around with it in high school. A friend and I used a butane torch and some $20 pawn shop trombones to make a couple of alto trombones because there were no cheap altos back in those days. Then, at the UNT, I took a repair class for one semester and kind of excelled at it. We had a man in Irving, TX back then named Howard Ward that everyone took their horns to (woodwind and brass players), who was the best repair technician around. He always worked on my slides, and I mentioned that I was taking the repair course and showed him a soprano trombone that I built. He told me I could come apprentice with him if I need a job sometime and I ended up giving him a call a little later.

King BBb with a 1909 Holton Eb bell

King BBb with a 1909 Holton Eb bell

What are your favorite repairs/projects?
I am most proud of a contrabass trombone that I built, a cimbasso, and two tubas that I made. One tuba is made of leftover parts from three different tubas and plays great. The other is a King BBb with a 1909 Holton Eb bell that turned our very well. I am also very proud of a tuba that I managed to repair that had been run over by a car.

What innovations do you feel you have brought to your craft?
I don’t know if there is anything that has been an innovation. I just try to do good solid repair work that looks good. So many repair techs do such horribly sloppy work, I just can’t believe they actually charge money for it. I was taught by Mr. Ward to prepare the joint properly, solder it neatly, buff off any extra solder so it looks nice, stuff like that. Just good basic repair techniques that everyone should be doing, but don’t always.

I sort of followed in the footsteps of Larry Minick, whom I never met but talked to on the phone a couple times. He really started the whole bass trombone customizing business. He was the first one that I know of that took stock bass trombones and moved the valves in-line. Before him, there really was no such thing as an in-line valve bass trombone. He pretty much came up with the idea of open-wrapped F-attachments, independent triggers—-all things we take for granted on bass trombones today. I started doing all that stuff in the Dallas area in the early 1980s so guys wouldn’t have to send their horns to L.A.

I play quite a few Broadway shows in Dallas and a couple of them over the years have called for solotone mute in the bass trombone part, which doesn’t exist. I was talking to Joe Stanko in New York about it and we agreed that if he sent me a couple of mutes he had tried to modify into solotones I would work on them and see if I

Solotone Mute by Swanson

Solotone Mute by Swanson

could come up with a functioning solotone for bass trombone. Well, the prototype turned out to play very well and we were both happy with it so I made one for myself too. I think that would have been the end of it except for the internet. Joe put out the word that I was making solotone mutes and now I have sold 34 of them.

Are any instrument brands easier or more difficult to repair than others?
I mostly like working on Bachs and Conns. Being able to get the parts is a big factor. With some brands, getting parts is impossible or sometimes the company is still in business but they don’t make it easy for us to get the parts. I think they would rather you just buy a new horn instead of fixing your old one. Getzen makes it easy to get most of their parts by just putting the entire parts list in the Allied catalog (they own Allied). I wish some of the others could be so easy.

It is hard to get parts for the German instruments and anything from Besson or Boosey & Hawkes, so I guess they are my least favorite. The Chinese companies have not done much to help me get parts for their horns either. And some of the Chinese horns are of such low quality that you hate to see them come into the shop. Some shops refuse to work on them at all.

Which company has the best:
Slides?
Bach.

Bells?
For bass trombone and large bore tenor, I’m partial to Bach bells. There are a lot of good jazz horns being made now.

Rotors?
I play Thayer valves on both my bass and large bore tenors. Rotary valves…you have to just try out the horn and see if it plays. I have played some great ones and a lot of terrible ones. I wouldn’t say any of the major manufacturers make a bad valve. I have played good rotary valve horns from almost all the manufacturers. Stick to one of the major brands, and try out as many horns as you can and pick out one that plays good. If you don’t play well enough to tell the difference, have a teacher or someone help you pick out a horn.

Service?
Conn-Selmer seems to be trying hard to give good service. They have put the parts catalog on a web site and I can order anything I need right there, it even tells the quantity of each part that is in stock, so I like that. Getzen, as I said, is pretty easy to find what you need in the Allied catalog. I have had good luck with Kanstul getting a couple part that they make for a horn I was building. Most of the other companies, it is a mystery how we are supposed to order their parts.

Cases?
Bach cases are solid but heavy, and I wish they had not gone over to zippers in place of latches. I have seen that they have come out with a new case though that looks more like the old ones, so maybe this is an improvement there on the horns just coming out. Conn and King basically have the same cases, and they are all right. Yamaha has some good cases. Once you have destroyed your original case though (and I don’t know how the kids do it) what do you buy? I like the Eastman fiberglass cases very much, they are what I use, although the large bore tenor case will not fit a lot of the popular trombone models. Eastman is supposed to be coming out with some new, redesigned cases, but you never know how long it will take.

I don’t like gig bags. I joke that they were invented by repair technicians to drum up more work. Along with marching band.

Which job you have accepted has turned out to involve the most work?
Building tubas. It’s pretty much impossible to charge for all the hours I spend. I had one guy who brought in a tuba and wanted pretty much all the body parts replaced. Except for the valve section and the bell, it was all new parts. Took over 20 hours to construct.

What is the most common mistake made by young trombonists which may occasion them to visit your shop?

Unfinished  Swanson Mute

Unfinished
Swanson Mute

Dropping the slide, a lot. Another thing that is showing up often these days is red rot. If you are not going to play the trombone for a period of weeks or months, then you should completely clean and dry the slide…swab out the outer slides with a cleaning rod and cloth and wipe off the inner slides…and put the horn in the case clean and dry. I have seen so many nice horns lately with bad red rod (evidenced by little pink spots on the outer slide tubes). This is the equivalent of rusting through from the inside out. It is so easy to prevent, just take a couple minutes to clean the slide and dry it out. It can completely ruin your outer slides and they will have to be replaced in order for the slide to work like new again.

Do you recommend any lubricants?
I like Trombotine because it cleans the slide and lubricates it. The others, stuff like Slide-O-Mix, does nothing to help clean the slide and it eventually dries and builds up on the slide. At some point it just doesn’t work anymore.

What are your thoughts on the numerous offerings for trombonists today regarding valves?
I play Thayers. I have played a little on some Greenhoes that played well and have played on a couple Hagmanns that were also OK. And as I said, some of the rotary valve horns can play great too, you just have to try them out and see how they play.

How do you tune your bass trombone valves?
I use Bb-F-G-Eb tuning. I started out this way and never saw a reason to change. It is a little unusual because at least 90% of the guys use Bb-F-Gb-D tuning. I like some of the alternate positions that I have available with the second valve in my tuning and the horn is a little lighter because I’m carrying a little less tubing around all the time. I also thought that my horn at the time blew better without the D slide in it, so I chucked it into a drawer and left it there. I’m glad Edwards has finally made a bass trombone with Bb-F-G-Eb tuning as one of the options so more people can try it. Yamaha has usually made this option available on all their horns as well. The only drawback is that low B is out a little farther, like around 6th position or so, and low C is about 5th position instead of 4th.

c. 2013 David William Brubeck All Rights Reserved. davidbrubeck.com

Photos Courtesy of Eric Swanson

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‘Seven Positions’ with Thomas Everett, Founder of the International Trombone Association, Professor of Music at Harvard University, Performer and Noted Scholar

Everett PhotoThomas G. Everett’s contributions to the bass trombone and music have been vast and unique. It almost reads as though it were three different lives. First, there is Tom Everett the foremost scholar of the bass trombone: one of the key founders and first president of the International Trombone Association, author of the ‘Annotated Guide to Bass Trombone Literature’, with more than thirty-five published articles and interviews. Second, there is Tom Everett the conductor: who served as the Director of Bands at Harvard University, founded the Harvard Jazz Bands & Wind Ensemble, and conducted on J. J. Johnson’s recording ‘Brass Orchestra’. The third Tom Everett is the most active bass trombone recitalist of his generation, having performed at Carnegie Hall and being involved with bringing more than 30 pieces into the bass trombone repertoire, all while performing with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, the Bolshoi Ballet and Ray Charles. Thomas Everett represents an unbridled passion for music as seen through the prism of the bass trombone. He is a trailblazing pioneer and a visionary. We are honored to have Everett respond for our sixth edition of ‘Seven Positions’.

1st Position
What do you look for in an instrument?

Instrument choices are of course guided by the player’s personal concepts, priorities and demands for the ensembles and styles they perform. In general, I would look for an instrument that was comfortable to play, both in the physical feel (balance and left hand comfort) and ease of playing (sound production/response). The single most important concern is the sound/tone quality produced on the instrument. Was the tone centered/focused, yet flexibly? My personal bass trombone tone concept and playing situations led me to choose an instruments that produced a dark/mellow sound that would blend well in section playing. Next is the tuning (overtone series, alternate positions) and consistency of response throughout all registers.

2nd Position
How do you conceive of describe, or visualize an ideal tone quality
?
Originally drawn to the bass trombone because of an attraction to, and desire to emulate, the sound of several performers (primarily George Roberts), I always had a clear, aural reference and concept for my desired sound.

3rd Position
What is your secret to a good legato?

Simply stated, the challenge of legato is the coordination of air, tongue,and slide. Air – maintain support throughout the slur; Tongue -use of a “soft” syllable articulation (depending on register, a “doo”,”loo, or “dah” are starting places); Slide – wait until the last moment to move the slide rapidly, but smoothly, to the next position. Singing is always the model. Playing the euphonium (or some other valved brass bass instrument) often aids the body and mind to experience legato.

4th Position
What helps you achieve musical expression?

Musical expression is of course a very personal sensitivity and pursuit.

Musical maturity, insights into musical meaning and concepts of communicating with listeners is usually developed outside the practice room. Expression is not directly related to technique or fostered in a vacuum. Schedule time to: listen to recordings and live performances by major ensembles and significant artists (especially singers, violinists, cellists, pianists, guitarists); attend dramatic and dance performances;

c. 2011 Barbie Brubeck

c. 2011 Barbie Brubeck

visit a museum, read a poem. In short, one must expand both their artistic boundaries, and creative thought. Devote practice time to analyzing and understanding the form and shapes a particular work; research the composer and background history of the composition; sing the music (participation in a quality choir experience is encouraged).

Know the music well enough NOT to be glued to the printed page. Investigate the entire composition (not just the trombone part). Study the accompanying piano part, or full score – noting phrases, patterns, harmony shapes, rhythmic interactions, etc. What was the composers intent? Lastly, aspire to move beyond the purely physical/technical demands of the music in order to be able to focus/visualize the desired flow, sound and “feel” of your performance.

5th Position
Name two inspirations. One musical and one non-musical.

Several individuals have had a significant influence impact upon my musical and personal life. Composer Warren Benson and my father, Walter Everett, continue to be inspirations in most all that I do. (The question requested the name of only ONE musical inspiration, but trombone teacher Emory Remington, conductor/educator Frank Battisti, and jazz pianist Bill Evans have also shaped my musical ear and priorities).

6th Position
Please comment on bass trombone solo literature.

The question of what constitutes “great” art is a challenging and fascinating topic. This would be a terrific topic for on going discussions…maybe on an ITA blog or in the ITA Journal? The evaluation of a work from the bass trombone repertoire should adhere to the same standards and criteria as solo literature for tenor trombone, clarinet, violin.
That said, my recital programing has emphasized repertoire conceived for (what I perceive to be) the unique timbre of the bass trombone.

7th Position
What would you like to see pursued regarding trombone research?

The amount, and diversity of scholarly research within the brass field over the last twenty-five years have been remarkable. Suggestions for future research/papers: Detailed comparison/analysis of specific composition(s) recorded by several trombone artists; Detailed research investigation into the life, influences, time period and musical colleagues of lesser known, yet influential improvising, jazz and commercial trombonists; Interviews with composers of frequently programed trombone literature, offering background, interpretation, and performance suggestions.

T1 Best trombone playing you’ve ever heard?
I’ve been fortunate to have heard many remarkable trombone performances. A couple of live performances that stand out would include my first time hearing Vinko Globakar’s, (as well as Stuart Dempster’s), performance of Luciano Berio’s “Sequenza”); Bill Pierce’s opening of his first performance at a late 70’s International Trombone Workshop (now the ITF); hearing Phil Wilson perform lead trombone and as a soloist with the mid 60’s Woody Herman Band; an evening of concertos performed by Carstan Svanberg’s and orchestra (ITW); the sound and phrasing of George Roberts

T2 Best playing you’ve ever done?
My most satisfying (and single moment of perfection) occurred as a member of a ITW faculty trombone choir (twenty-one players) backing up guest soloist Urbie Green. Tom Streeter and I shared a bass trombone part. At the end of one ballad, we played a soft low C (below the bass clef) on the sustained final C chord. The chord was absolutely perfect. As Tom and I looked down the ensemble to acknowledge the bass trombonists that had simultaneously produced the C an octave higher, we realized that it was George Roberts and Lewis Van Haney! Doesn’t get any better than that.

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Interested in more “Seven Positions” tm Interviews?
Charlie Vernon
James Markey
Chris Brubeck
Doug Yeo
Jeremy Morrow
Tom Everett
Gerry Pagano
Ben van Dijk
Randall Hawes
Denson Paul Pollard
Thomas Matta
Fred Sturm
Bill Reichenbach
Massimo Pirone
Erik Van Lier
Jennifer Wharton
Matyas Veer
Stefan Schulz

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‘THE ARRANGERS CHAIR’ TM Launched ElgarWith Nelson Riddle, Featuring Jule Styne’s “Just In Time”

imagesTHE ARRANGER’S CHAIR (TM), is a new series launched by davidbrubeck.com featuring trombonists who were also composers and/or arrangers. It would be unimaginable for young pianists to study their instrument without becoming aware of the great traditions of keyboardists such as J. S. Bach and Ludwig van Beethoven. Yet many young trombonists are unaware of the rich tradition of the composers and arrangers who have played the trombone. Nelson Riddle stands among the finest of American arrangers, having arranged for such notable vocalists as as Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Peggy Lee, Dean Martin, and Linda Rondstadt. Riddle also composed for television and film, received multiple award nominations, won three Grammys and an Oscar.

Sinatra’s Greatest Hit

A former sideman with Charlie Spivak and Tommy Dorsey and trombonist turned master arranger, Nelson Riddle is perhaps most famous for his work with Frank Sinatra. The Riddle and Sinatra collaboration which has become an Nelson Riddleindelible masterpiece is their recording of Cole Porter’s “I’ve Got You Under My Skin”. “Skin” and numerous other Riddle arrangements popularized use of of the bass trombone as a solo melodic bass voice.

From Ed O’Brien on a Sinatra List
Fifty years ago this evening Frank Sinatra entered Capitol’s KHJ Studios on Vine St. and from 8 to 11:30 proceeded to record 4 songs. Three of the tunes were done for “Songs for Swingin’ Lovers” and one, “Flowers Mean Forgiveness,” was laid down for a single release. The session was arranged and conducted by Nelson Riddle. A thirty-four piece orchestra and a chorus of four male singers had been contracted for the evening……During the afternoon rehearsal the musicians gave Riddle a standing ovation after running down the “Skin” chart.

Even today it is difficult to fully comprehend the importance of that moment so long ago now. Sinatra and Riddle created a sound that evening destined to be imitated by scores of singers. The urban ethos “Skin” would personify became the single most identifiable Sinatra sound.

There were 22 takes done before Frank and Nelson reached the level of excellence that would become the legendary recording. Here is guitarist Bob Bain’s recollection of that evening:
BB: I was sitting right next to Milt Bernhart. Milt was just terrified. The work was so demanding. And they would say we’ve got to do another one. He would look at me and say, “I don’t have another one left. “The take they finally took was the best solo he did all night.
EOB: There were 22 takes. I should mention the date was 1-12-56.
BB: There was a lot of tension building up. Nelson was getting impatient. Frank was getting impatient. Milt had to play that solo on top of the brass. He had to really blow hard.
EOB: Do you remember anything else about that session ? It was really a historic session.
BB: This is what I remember: I was very close to Doreen Riddle, Nelson’s first wife. A few days after the sessions, Frank invited Nelson and Doreen down to Palm Springs. The evening they were there at Frank’s house, he just kept playing “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” over and over and over again. He kept saying, “You mother, you really wrote your ass off on this one.” He just kept making comments to them on how great the arrangement was. Doreen told me she got sick of listening to the song. He would play it and then go play it again. And play it again.
EOB: I think it is without question his single greatest recording.
BB: Yes, it is.

davidbrubeck.com George Roberts, Mr. Bass Trombone Courtesy Walt Disney World c 2012 David William Brubeck All Rights Reserved
George Roberts, bass trombonist, had some fascinating background information:
EOB: Can you give me some background on the recording of I’ve
Got You Under My Skin?
GR: The song was a big, big thing for me. The Afro-Cuban rhythmical piece in the center of the song. He called me up about a month or month and a half in front of that session. He said that Frank wanted a long crescendo in the middle. Nelson did it with trombones. It set up a pattern of five different contrapella lines going at the same time. And it started with bass trombone. Being on that tune, it was just about the biggest single record Nelson ever did, really opened things up for me. Sinatra sang the song thousands of times in concert and often told his audience it was Nelson Riddle’s finest hour.

The Afro-Cuban Origins of the Bass Trombone
In an interview with Gary Giddins, Milt Bernhart, the wonderful jazz trombone soloist on the Sinatra/Riddle Recording of “I’ve Got You Under My Skin”, traced this technique of the melodic (and rhythmic) use of the bass trombone back to the Bill Russo title “23 North by 82 West” composed for the Stan Kenton Orchestra. The melodic and rhythmic use of the bass trombone, a technique pioneered by Kenton and perfected by Riddle, was said to have been influenced by the earlier arrangements of the Sauter Finnegan Orchestra and, in their original form, the Afro-Cuban music of Dizzy Gillespie.

Gary Giddins interview with Milt Bernhart:
GARY: What was the tune that Bill Russo had written?
MILT: Bill Russo wrote a thing for Kenton(?) that, I don’t know the exact numbers. Twenty Degrees North, Ten Degrees South, something, you know, the longitudinal location of Havana, Cuba.
GARY: And the montuna, is that for trombone?
MILT: It is indeed. (sings) It’s actually a Dizzy Gillespie thing came first. Cubana Be, Cubana Bop. Came first. First big band montuna jazz, be bop. But Russo wrote something, not a copy, but something with that flavor, that Twenty Degrees or whatever it is and it was done very well. It had a good Frank Rossilino, a very good Frank Rossalino solo in it. It’s one of (Stan’s) best records, really. (ordering dinner)
GARY: So it was Nelson’s idea to use that for…?
MILT: I don’t think it was Nelson’s idea. This is all in retrospect, well after the fact, years and years after the fact that it occurred to me much much later that that I’ve Got You Under My Skin, the Frank Sinatra recording, that went into a Latin, a Latino type of a thing in the middle, with the trombones, first the bass trombone, then another trombone plays another thing, which began with Dizzy. And Diz and then the Kenton record was the next recording that followed through but it wasn’t exactly a copy. It was fresh. Bill Russo. And then this one. But I wasn’t really thinking about that, but that’s where they got it. And it was one of Sinatra’s first Capitol Records. Not the first, but one of them. First dates…first important date. There had been some dates.

(Editor’s note: Bernhart recalled that he and bass trombonist George Roberts were joined on the recording by Juan Tizol (the valve trombonist and composer with Duke Ellington) and Jimmy Priddy (a copyist for Nelson Riddle and former lead player for Glen Miller).

“The Arrangers Chair”
Riddle was one of the most famous inhabitants of “the arrangers chair” (occupants of trombone chairs in big bands), along with Sammy Nestico and Glenn Miller. Riddle’s most notable trombone tenure was a short stint with Tommy Dorsey-an experience in common with Frank Sinatra. By the 1960 Dean Martin recording of Jule Styne’s “Just in Time”, the Nelson Riddle style was already in full blossom. The melodic and rhythmic bass function of the bass trombone are beautifully expressed and executed against the delightfully breezy interpretation of Dean Martin.

Why the Bass Trombone?
How did Nelson Riddle become so enamored with the bass trombone? Bandleader and bass trombonist Chris Riddle provides the answer, “When George Roberts left Stan Kenton, he took a little aprtment in Santa Monica. It so happened that we lived very nearby (427, 7th St.). I can’t remember how he met my father, but my mother said he would come over and dipslay the usefulness of the bass trombone. He got my father ‘hooked’, and the rest is musical history.” Chris was a bass trombone student of George Roberts, and leads the Nelson Riddle Orchestra.

Acknowledgements
This article and Stereogram have been made possible through the kindness and graciousness of several individuals. Thanks to the estates of Jule Styne (www.julestyne.com), & Nelson Riddle (www.nelsonriddlemusic.com), from whom permission for Stereogram No. 36 has been requested. I would like to express my gratitude to jazz bass trombonists Bill Reichenbach for his proofreading of the Stereogram No. 36, and to Michael Nunez for engraving it. Special thanks to Gary Giddins for the excerpt of his interview with Milt Bernhart and Ed O’Brien for his interview. Very special thanks to Chris Riddle for adding the final piece of the puzzle.

Gillespie to Holman to Riddle to Stereograms
Visual stereo grams, (like those found in the “Magic Eye” series of 3-D images), feature multiple images within a single image. Similarly, Stereograms for bass trombone present two or more parts alternating within a single melodic line. This “implied homophony” is reminiscent of the work of singer Bobby McFerrin, and draws heavily upon the melodic and rhythmic bass trombone concept founded by Stan Kenton & Neslon Riddle and inspired by ‘Dizzy’ Gillespie. The rhythmic interpretation of the melody in Stereogram No. 36 is courtesy of Dean Martin, and the bass trombone accompaniments to the melody are inspired by Nelson Riddle’s arrangement for Dean. Stereograms for solo bass trombone have been performed and recorded all over the world, and adapted for tuba and baritone saxophone.

Free Trombone Music
Stereogram No. 36, is available for free! An advantage of switching back and forth between several parts is the technique pianists refer to as ‘voicing’, or imbuing each separate part or “voice” with it’s own dynamic, articulation, and other expressive nuances. Try to balance the smoother, softer and more relaxed vocal stylings inspired by Dean Martin’s interpretation, with the hard driving swing of Riddle’s instrumental accompaniment. The melody switches to the lower part in the middle, and special emphasis should be given to those parts native to the bass trombone throughout. Enjoy!

36 Final

36 Final 2

c. 2013 David William Brubeck All Rights Reserved davidbrubeck.com
Stereograms are available from Hickey’s music and other fine retailers.

Stereograms Not. 1-20, Advanced-Intermediate Original Compositions for bass trombone/bass clef instruments
https://www.hickeys.com/search/products/sku050091.php

Stereograms Nos. 21-30, Advanced-Intermediate Original Compositions for bass trombone/bass clef instruments
https://www.hickeys.com/search/products/sku092661.php

Stereograms A-M, Beginner-Intermediate Arrangements for bass trombone/bass clef instruments
https://www.hickeys.com/search/products/sku099768.php

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