[Dixielandjazz] Trombone/Tenor discussion

[Edmetzsr at aol.com]

Listmates, I'd like to weigh in on this interesting topic, in that our band  
uses both, as have the various Bob Cat units since 1937 when they formed. As a 
 matter of fact, at times we employ 2 tenors and trombone. Clearly, they can 
and  do stay out of one another's way - for a whole host of reasons. There are 
times  when the arrangements call for trombone playing freely against written 
soli type  parts for the other three horns (tpt, cl, & ten). There are times 
when the  clarinet plays freely against tpt, ten & tbn. We also do things with 
2  sopranos and tpt (playing a third part). Yes, and we often do play with 
all four  horns and NO music.
    Back some years ago, we had several charts in the  book in which the two 
tenors played the Turk Murphy trombone parts (in tunes  like "Minstrels Of 
Annie Street" and "Trombone Rag") in unison, much to the  chagrin of the purists, 
but to the liking of those who were willing to take the  blinders off. Like 
Paul Edgerton says in his enlightening post, if you listen,  all things are 
possible. To which I add, even getting the tenor(s) to play the  tailgate parts.
Enjoy it all!!!! 
Ed Metz