I don't know why but many professional musicians like to tell jokes about Trombone players. Personally, I love the sound of a Trombone and especially when there are more than one playing. So I was delighted when I received the new release from The Las Vegas Boneheads, "Sixty and Still Cooking". I have been visiting Las Vegas yearly for over 40 years and know a lot about the town and its history. But why I never came across The Las Vegas Boneheads is a mystery. No matter, this talented group of Trombone players is a musical delight. This group was formed in 1962 by Abe Note to give some of Las Vegas' top Trombonists an opportunity to play Jazz after their regular gigs. These late night sessions were legendary over the years and they became a popular hangout for some of the best Trombone players in Jazz history.
Some of the great musicians who have been part of this group included Trombonists Charlie Loper, Archie LeCoque, Carl Fontana, Bill Harris and Jummy Trimble. Pianists Frank Collett and Tommy Todd, Bassists Carson Smith and Bob Badgley and Drummers Karl Kiffe and Santo Sabino were also frequent participants in this group. The group disbanded in the mid-1980's, but in 2011 Carl Miller who had been with the band since 1978 thought it was time to get the band back together.
The band is back with new arrangements and a younger generation of enthusiastic and skilled Trombonists. The arrangement and musical sounds on "Sixty and Still Cooking" are nothing short of terrific and will thrill not only Trombone-loving listeners but any Jazz music lover.
I have attached two cuts from "Sixty and Still Cooking" the first tune is "Al Cohn Tune" and it's a real barn burner. I really wanted to attach "Home Again" because the sounds are so lush as is the beautiful solo work by special guest, Andy Martin. But I just couldn't turn away from the Mercer/Carmichael classic, "Skylark". It has special solos from Trombonist Curt Miller and Pianist Uli Geissendoefer. The chords and Trombones are warm and lush.
I hope "The Las Vegas Boneheads" decide to tour in the near futurre and I will be the first one in line for tickets.
PLAYLIST:
1. Al Cohn Tune
2. Ceora
3. Samba Deez Bones
4. Home Again
5. Carl
6. Skylark
7. The Nervous Nellie
8. I Thought About You
9. Cherokee
10. Giant Steps
PLAYERS:
Curt Miller- Trombone and Leader
Trombones:
Nathan Tanouye
Nate Kimball
Andrew Boostrom
llai Macaggi
Sonny Hernandez- Bass
Ralph Pressler- Bass Trombone
Ull Gelssendoerfer- Piano
Steve Flora- Bass
Larry Aberman- Drums
Special Guest Trombone Artist- Andy Martin
