If there’s one jazz instrument that doesn’t get as much attention as it deserves, it’s the trombone. Even though it’s a pretty big instrument, the trombone has a soft, mellow sound; and the fact that it hangs out right in the middle of the standard big band — saxophones in front of them, trumpets behind — doesn’t really help much with getting that sound out. In fact, the only trombone players I can name off the top of my head are Glenn Miller, Bill Watrous, and this guy here, J. J. Johnson. However, Johnson took this wallflower instrument and gave it some personality — Dizzy Gillespie even told him, “I’ve always known that the trombone could be played different, that somebody’d catch on one of these days. Man, you’re elected.”
There’s sort of a pattern with these musicians and when their careers launch — like Bill Evans and John Coltrane, Johnson’s lucky break came in the form of an album: Love For Sale with Benny Carter’s Orchestra. Before this, though, Johnson was already playing with the Count Basie Orchestra. But Love For Sale opened up new opportunities for Johnson, including playing with the Dizzy Gillespie big band (The Dizzy Gillespie Band is playing this Wednesday, August 26th, at the Hollywood Bowl — go check them out!) and with Miles Davis’s nonet (group of nine) in Birth of the Cool.
You’ll notice in most (or maybe all) of Johnson’s solos is that the man loves repetition. He’ll play a few lines in the beginning of a solo, find a note he likes, and play it about twenty times until he moves on to the next one. Check this out in this recording with Kai Winding, who collaborated with Johnson in the Jay and Kai Quintet through 1954-1956. Although they’re both super different in individual style, the two together sound amazing.
Where to start with J. J. Johnson:
ALBUMS:
Classic Capitol Jazz Sessions (with the Carter Orchestra, where Johnson’s career launched)
Jay and Kai
The Birth of the Cool
J. J. Johnson’s Jazz Quintets
Count Basie and His Orchestra 1945-46
Charlie Parker – the Dial Sessions
SONGS:
Cleopatra Jones (this is where I first heard Johnson)
Perceptions
Diversions
Enigma
Kelo
Poem For Brass
Lament (this is one of today’s big standards)
If you’re only going to listen to one thing on this list, listen to Jay and Kai — the two complement each other in a way where you can really hear Johnson at his best. Happy listening!
CURRENTLY LISTENING TO: Apti/Rudresh Mahanthappi/Apti (I got this off of NPR’s Music at Newport Sampler and it’s still up — it’s free and it’s worth the download, go check it out!)
