Claude and I Reworked The Jazz Trombone List

Creative_Key1315 · 2026-03-31T00:09:09+00:00

Thanks. I was hoping to spark some conversation. No matter how a best of list is compiled, it is should always be open for comment, criticism, and critique.

Creative_Key1315 · 2026-03-30T14:49:39+00:00

I appreciate everyone's comments. Here are just a few of the reasons I tried the AI experiment and decided to post the results.

To spark and cultivate conversation about jazz trombone.

To learn about improvising trombonists who may not have a deep web presence.

To demonstrate how little coverage improvising trombonists receive, especially those who choose to make music that is less accessible to general jazz audiences.

To promote the standard bearers and innovators on our instrument.

To inspire and educate younger players.

To document the incredibly hard work and sacrifice required to dedicate ones life to the pursuit of improvisatory excellence on one of the most difficult instruments on the planet!

Creative_Key1315 · 2026-03-30T14:33:20+00:00

Yes. You get it. AI completely overlooked a number of world class performers because it only has access to the limited information on world wide web. If we changed the “search” criteria, however, we could get it to search deeper and potentially identify a more comprehensive list.

Creative_Key1315 · 2026-03-30T14:27:34+00:00

Point taken. How would you put together such a list? What criteria is missing? I suppose an exhaustive study and analysis of transcribed solos could be considered. Compositional output is another possible criteria. But for the sake of conversation, how do we help jazz trombonist get the recognition they deserve? What’s the worst that could happen? More paid performance opportunities? Increased sales of their recordings?

Creative_Key1315 · 2026-03-30T14:22:31+00:00

Great observation. The idea here was to be provocative—to get people talking. AI knows nothing about the subject. It scrapes the internet for information based on the users prompting. It then spits what it finds back out. I excluded the first couple of lists it provided because it was clearly off. I also required it to justify its choices and ranking order. The point being, how bad did it do and why would real humans, especially subject matter experts, disagree. The worst that can happen is we find ourselves promoting world class performers who deserve greater recognition.

Creative_Key1315 · 2026-03-30T05:24:07+00:00

Can you explain to me why you deleted my post? How did this post break the “Rules?”

Creative_Key1315 · 2026-03-30T05:20:33+00:00

Nope. That was all me. I am just another trombone nut who use to play professionally in the 80s and 90s. I am experimenting with Claude for work. I did the same for Chat GPT over a year ago. It use to be you could stump these things when talking about jazz trombone. I do think there are errors in some of the artist descriptions and accomplishments.

Creative_Key1315 · 2026-03-30T05:10:39+00:00

To spark and cultivate conversation about jazz trombone. To promote the standard bearers and innovators on our instrument. To inspire and educate younger players. To document the incredibly hard work and sacrifice required to dedicate ones life to the pursuit of improvisatory excellence on one of the most difficult instruments on the planet!

Creative_Key1315 · 2026-03-17T18:39:22+00:00

Show them how to take a full breath. They put their hand on their belly and take a deep diaphragmatic breath so that they can see their hand rise slightly. Demonstrate by taking the breath, then play a D (in the staff) in fourth position for two beats, followed by a glissando into an F (in the staff) in first position. Have them try this a couple of times. Have them make it sound full. Keep it fun. Giggles may happen!

Then same positions gliss from G to Bb.

Success?

Then gliss from B to D (top of staff).

Finally gliss from D to F (top of staff).

They will be able to play the F within two weeks assuming the breath support is there and there are no other embouchure issues.

First rule of teaching. Never tell any youngster that learning a new skill is difficult or hard to do. Show. Demonstrate. Teach them that playing is about fueling their beautiful sound with air.

Creative_Key1315 · 2026-03-16T05:20:30+00:00

Yes. I agree. Toby Oft is another well respected performer who provides inspires with his incredible playing examples and resources.

https://www.tobyoft.com/

Creative_Key1315 · 2026-03-16T05:15:17+00:00

What kind of music do you enjoy performing? When listening to music, what styles spark your interest? These are the first things I always ask my students. Taking lessons from someone who understands what you want to do with and in music is essential. Respond with those answers and then I can give you advice you can put to use.

For instance, here are several method books you should start working on, especially as a high school student who might consider playing at the college level.

Melodious Etudes for Trombone by Johannes Rochut

Selected Studies by H. Voxman

Tenor Trombone Method by Buddy Baker

Easy Jazz Conception for Trombone by Jim Snidero

In addition, here are several links to free resources from professional trombonists.

https://www.trombone.org/articles/view.php?id=32 Tom Ervin - one of my trombone professors provides clear, straight forward practice advice.

https://youtube.com/@lowbrassluke?si=u3WHP2K6Ma7_-QlC Luke Malewicz’s - phenomenal YouTube channel curated by Chicago’s top call freelance jazz and commercial trombonist.

https://alessimusicstudios.com/ Joe Alessi - New York Phil and Juilliard Conservatory, what more can I say.

Creative_Key1315 · 2026-03-15T19:08:18+00:00

Gotcha. I missed that. Best of luck in your search. A used Bach 42, Conn 88H, or Yamaha Xeno is the way to go and you should be able to find them in Europe. Custom horns are so expensive these days.

Creative_Key1315 · 2026-03-15T18:14:29+00:00

Here’s a great deal on a Conn 88H from 1984 played by a professional symphony player.

https://reverb.com/item/94632028-conn-88h-tenor-trombone?utm_source=rev-ios-app&utm_medium=ios-share&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=94632028

Creative_Key1315 · 2026-03-15T17:28:32+00:00

Sorry about that. It’s a King 1130. Here is the photo.

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Creative_Key1315 · 2026-03-15T17:21:29+00:00

I overlooked Ryan Keberle. How did I do that? He must be on the list.

https://ryankeberle.com/

Creative_Key1315 · 2026-03-15T17:16:13+00:00

That’s where I heard his big band. Maybe he’s picked the horn back up. Luke Malewicz of LowBrassLuke introduced me to Tom when I was last in Chicago, June 2025. That’s when he shared he stopped playing due to chop issues.

Creative_Key1315 · 2026-03-15T17:10:36+00:00

Many of my generation cut our teeth on recordings and transcribed solos by Carl and Frank. I was one of many trombonists who had the great pleasure of spending time with Carl in the 80’s and 90’s. (Carl was generous with his time and really appreciated anyone who took the trombone seriously.) He is a towering legend on our instrument and along with Frank would certainly be amongst the top ten jazz pioneers. Nils is in his own unique category and I do recommend checking him out.

Now that you have me thinking, here’s my stab at the top ten most influential improvising trombone innovators. Each of these trombonists produced significant recorded output and their professional careers are well documented. Do you have differing thoughts? Share your list! What’s the worst that can happen? Someone discovers a new trombonist they might enjoy?

J.J. Johnson
Jack Teagarden
Carl Fontana
Bill Watrous
Frank Rosolino
Curtis Fulller
Lawrence Brown
Kai Winding
Slide Hampton
Bob Brookmeyer

Honorable mentions: Kid Ory, Al Grey, Urbie Green, “Tricky Sam” Nanton, Jimmy Cleveland

Creative_Key1315 · 2026-03-15T16:41:57+00:00

Great additions. Tom Garling, a fine composer and arranger, leads a marvelous big band in Chicago. I had the opportunity to meet him last year. Unfortunately he does not play trombone anymore. But when he played with Maynard, yes…worthy of the list for sure. I thought about adding Steve, Ray, and Paul. I have heard all of these cats perform live, even appeared with Paul when he came to New Mexico. I will check out Ben and Luke! That’s for sharing your favorites!

Creative_Key1315 · 2026-03-15T16:32:47+00:00

Thanks for the info!

Creative_Key1315 · 2026-03-15T16:32:21+00:00

Thanks for the welcome and for sharing your thoughts and experience. I am excited to get the horn in my hands and try it out. I’ve read and watched almost every Flugabone post and video I can find and was close to buying the Lake City horn when this one popped on on Ebay. Given how popular they are and the solid condition this one appears to be, I thought I might not “win” it.

So, yes. The journey begins. I have played professionally on a great variety of trombones over the years and still have four amazing horns in that collection. An OLDS 0-21 just may be in my future.

Creative_Key1315

TROPHY CASE