[Dixielandjazz] Herb Gardner - trombonists

[Nancy Giffin]

Bob Ringwald wrote:
>> Guess you haven't heard Bob Havens, Russ Phillips, Bill Allred or
>> Dan Barrett?

Steve replied:
> Of course I have Bob, and am quite familiar with their work.
> That's why I said "arguably".  Those who do not know Herb might
> know these trombonists with all of whom he has performed:
> Dan Barrett, Bill Allred, John Allred, Spiegal Wilcox, Cutty Cutshall,
> Vic Dickenson, Benny Moten, Tom Artin, George Masso, Dick Rath, Art Baron,
> Ed Hubble, Joel Helleny, Marshall Brown, Frank Orchard and Jim Fryer.
> 
> And that's just the short list. The list of legendary Trumpet and/or
> Clarinet players he has performed with in  Dixieland front lines would
> knock your socks off. Much too long to print here. Interested
> listmates can see it at http://www.herb-gardner.com/bio.html
> 
> Like I said arguably...

Steve, Bob, and list mates,

I did note that Steve said "arguably," knowing we all have our opinions. But
one thing I've come to realize is that we can only base our opinion on whom
we have heard performing. There are thousands of great players all around
the globe, but we have not heard them for whatever reason -- maybe they are
young, or from some small country, or primarily being an educator (yes,
gasp, some educators can also be top performers), or simply not touring and
promoting themselves very effectively. The festival circuit is but one
niche, and by no means the only niche in which we can find great musicians.

Speaking of great trombonists, I stayed up last night to watch David
Letterman, who had Bonerama as his musical guest. I wanted not only to see
sousaphonist and "Best of the Beat" winner Matt Perrine but also those two
former stars of Harry Connick's band, Mark Mullins and Craig Klein on
trombone. These two NOLA boys don't usually play Dixieland, but I have heard
them play a few trad. tunes during a small event here in Sac., and they can
really knock it out; what an awesome team that I am sure Harry Connick must
be missing very much since they left to do their own Bonerama thang.

Love and hugs,
Nancy

P.S. And may the great trombonist Glenn Dodson rest in peace, right Steve?