Following up on the previous post, here is the rest of the band that I’ve created filled with who I believe are the “trend setters” in jazz today. Again, just my own personal thoughts, on some people I feel are hip, cool, and making it happen. Enjoy the trombones, rhythm section, and singers!
The Trombones:
Lead Trombone: Steve Turre
The long, black pointy beard and the jet black hair has been hard to miss when watching the house band of NBC’s Saturday Night Live play. That is not to take away from the fact that he is an amazing trombone player, and has put out some fantastic releases over the last ten years.
Watch Steve Turre play the shells:
Second Trombone: Conrad Herwig
Conrad may be one of the most natural big band guys in this completely fictional and unrealistic big band. Seven albums as a leader and a University of North Texas grad, he’s been recruited for big bands led by Clark Terry and Buddy Rich, just to name a few.
Conrad Herwig plays below:
Third Trombone: Delfeayo Marsalis
It pays to be a Marsalis. But just having the name didn’t make him an excellent trombone player and producer. Chalk that up to studying both at Berklee an touring with Ray Charles and Art Blakey.
Delfeayo Marsalis plays with his father Ellis in this video:
Fourth Trombone: Wycliffe Gordon
“Pine Cone” holds a special place in the hearts of NPR listeners (even if they don’t know it). His composition of the NPR theme song is just one of many compositions, most of them fantastic. He can more or less play anything, and is one guy who can make the sounds of the 30’s sound modern and trendy.
Wycliffe Gordon solos with three other trombone greats:
The Rhythm Section:
Piano: Herbie Hancock
Herbie’s last two albums have featured him alongside the most popular names in music from a variety of genres. And for the first time in 37 years, a jazz album, his jazz album, beat out rock stars, rappers, and country singers to win the Grammy for Best Album of the Year. I’d say he is keeping with the trend.
A look into Herbie’s Grammy winning album River: The Joni Letters:
Bass: Christian McBride
Christian is likely the most sought after bassist by big name jazz musicians today. Alot of bassist can play technically perfect, but McBride gives everything he touches a enjoyable personality.
Christian plays with Herbie and Jack DeJohnette:
Drums: Jack DeJohnette
DeJohnette is similar to Christian McBride where he can play anything with anybody, and make it sound wonderful and effortless.
Watch Jack solo:
Guitar: John Scofield
Maybe the biggest guitarist in jazz (aside from Pat Metheny), it is Scofield’s rock influence that sets him apart for me. He adds a hip edge to whatever he is playing.
Scofield with Jon Mayer on the Tonight Show:
The Singers:
Male Vocalist: Jamie Cullum
Can anyone today really be called a “bad boy” of jazz? No one will call this young British vocalist a traditional jazz singer, but that is what I like about him. He’s doing his own thing by recreating songs with his own style. He will never sound like Frank Sinatra, but I don’t believe he really wants to.
Jamie Cullum’s version of Wind Cries Mary:
Female Vocalist: Diana Krall
Krall is the most popular jazz singer today, and she deserves that title. She has her own romantic, sensual style, warranting large crowds and tons of fans. Her biggest fan might be her husband, Elvis Costello, which definitely earns her major cool points.
Diana Krall’s Look of Love video: