One of the oldest of “modern” instruments, the trombone was an early member of traditional brass bands. Typically considered a supporting voice augmenting basslines and providing occasional blasts of sound, the trombone gained a new role as a solo instrument in the big bands of the 1930s, and finally some respect as a leading voice through the artistry of Tommy Dorsey, Jack Teagarden, J.J. Johnson, and others. Yet the trombone—with its odd shape and gruff tone—has lagged behind its brass brethren in popularity among both critics and audiences. But that should change as modern “bone” players integrate a sense of fun with an underappreciated melodicism. Five of the leading trombonists of modern jazz converge on the Twin Cities this coming week, with a “United Trombone Summit” at the Dakota Jazz Club in downtown Minneapolis (June 25-26) and a tribute to Duke Ellington at Orchestra Hall (June 28^th).

United Trombone Summit at the Dakota (June 25-26, 7 & 9 pm)

With three trombone virtuosos on stage together each night, the United Trombone Summit features a multi-generational perspective—Wycliffe Gordon and Steve Turre join Fred Wesley (June 25^th) and Slide Hampton (June 26^th).

Wycliffe Gordaon &cppy; G. F. Aquilino

Gordon grew up in Waynesboro, GA, the son of a classical pianist/church organist. When his older brother took up the trombone, Gordon pleaded with his parents to do the same, beginning studies at age 12. His passion for jazz developed when his great aunt bequeathed the family her jazz record collection. He went on to study trombone at Florida A&M University. Noted Ed Berger (Jazz Times), “Wycliffe Gordon is a breath of fresh air. He’ll play with anybody, bringing his commanding technique, sense of history and sheer exuberance to any musical setting.”

Steve Turre

It was Kirk who introduced Turre to the seashell as an instrument. While touring in Mexico City with Woody Shaw, Turre learned from relatives that his ancestors also played shells, and from that point on, shells became an essential part of his music. Today Turre leads a number of diverse ensembles. His Sanctified Shells transforms a horn section into a shell choir with brass and a 5-piece rhythm section. His Sextet With Strings explores Turre’s original compositions and arrangements scored for trombone and shells, violin, cello, piano, bass and drums. He also tours, records and arranges with his quartet and quintet, and has been a member of the Saturday Night Live Band, Carnegie Hall Jazz Band and McCoy Tyne Big Band. He’s a long-standing faculty member of the Manhattan School of Music. Noted Rolling Stone, “A powerful technician with a soulful tone and quick wit, Turre is perhaps the leading trombonist of this generation.”

Slide Hampton

Hampton was touring the Midwest by age 12 and performing at Carnegie Hall by age 20 with his family’s Hampton Band. Soon he was playing and arranging for Maynard Ferguson, and went on to work with Dizzy Gillespie, Art Blakey, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, Barry Harris and Max Roach. His famed Slide Hampton Octet of the 1960s included Freddie Hubbard, Booker Little and George Coleman. From the late 60s to late 70s he lived in Europe, returning to begin a series of master classes at leading universities and to form the World of Trombones (9 trombones plus rhythm section). In the 1990s and beyond, Hampton has toured with the Dizzy Gillespie All Stars, received multiple Grammy Awards and nominations, and in 2005 was named an NEA Jazz Master. In 2006, he launched the Slide Hampton Big Band.

Fred Wesley

Tribute to Ellington—Such Sweet Thunder-- at Orchestra Hall, June 28th (7:30 pm)

On June 28^th, Minnesota Orchestra Hall (in association with the Twin Cities Jazz Festival) will host a rare performance of Duke Ellington’s Shakespearean Suite, Such Sweet Thunder. Led by trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis, an all-star jazz octet will be on stage, including brother Branford Marsalis, Mark Gross and Jason Marshall on saxophones, Tiger Okoshi on trumpet, and Delfeayo’s rhythm section of Anthony Wonsey on piano, David Pulphus on bass and Winard Harper on drums. Jazz at Lincoln Center curator Phillip Schaap will host a pre-concert discussion at 6 pm. Considered by many as the greatest ever jazz composer and bandleader, Duke Ellington composed Such Sweet Thunder on a 1956 commission from the Stratford (Ontario) Shakespeare Festival. The 12 parts of the suite were developed to reflect Shakespeare’s characters through music. Originally released on Columbia, Ellington’s band at the time included the great Johnny Hodges and Clark Terry.

Delfeayo Marsalis

Marsalis’ early touring experiences included stints with Ray Charles, Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, Max Roach, and Abdullah Ibrahim, as well as Elvin Jones' Jazz Machine. Unlike many musicians who turn to production later in their careers, often to gain more control over their music, Delfeayo’s first priority for many years was producing music for others, and he was already heading projects at 17. Producing over 100 releases since the 1980s (including projects for Wynton and Branford, and for Harry Connick, Terence Blanchard, Marcus Roberts, Eric Reed and Nicholas Payton), he’s garnered several Grammy awards and nominations.

Delfeayo Marsalis is also an accomplished composer and educator. Among music scores, his works have included the backdrop for the ABC mini-series, Moon Over Miami, the documentaries Streetcar Mysteries and 112th & Central, an off-Broadway production, Girl Gone, and the New Orleans Ballet presentations of Tennessee Williams’ Streetcar Named Desire and Glass Menagerie. And the majority of tracks on his recent release, Minion’s Dominion, are original compositions. As a committed jazz educator, he has served as Director of the Foundation for Artistic and Musical Excellence summer program in Lawrenceville, NJ, and founded the Uptown Music Theatre, created specifically to provide 8th-12th grade youth with musical theatre training.

Marsalis has been touring more than ever in the past six months, with his Minion’s Dominion quartet (appearing at the Dakota Jazz Club in January). This summer (and perhaps beyond), he’s serving as an artist in residence of sorts for Minnesota Orchestra Hall. In addition to the June 28^th Ellington tribute, he will return August 5^th for a tribute to Count Basie.

Enjoy a week filled with trombones, and plan to spend the weekend in downtown Minneapolis as the Twin Cities Jazz Festival moves to Peavey Plaza, Friday evening through Sunday.

The United Trombone Summit will be held June 25-26 at the Dakota Jazz Club, 1010 Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis; tickets and information at www.dakotaocooks.com; two sets each night at 7 and 9 pm. Tribute to Ellington—Such Sweet Thunder with Delfeayo Marsalis will be held at 7:30 pm on June 28th at Minnesota Orchestra Hall, 11^th and Nicollet Mall; tickets at www.minnesotaorchestra.org. Full schedule for the Twin Cities Jazz Festival at www.hotsummerjazz.com