MUSIC

The Houston debut of a living legend. Nameless Sound presents Roswell Rudd's Trombone Tribe, Sunday, March 20 at 8pm at DiverseWorks ArtSpace.

Roswell Rudd's Trombone Tribe Features:
Roswell Rudd (New York) - trombone
Barry Altschul (New York) - drums
Ken Filiano (New York) - bass
Bob Stewart (New York) - tuba
Steve Swell (New York) - trombone
Deborah Weisz (New York) - trombone

A living legend, and a key player of the 1960’s “New Thing”, Roswell Rudd is the musician responsible for bringing the trombone into the avant-garde of jazz. His associations of the period include many of the most important innovators in that movement, and Rudd made vital contributions to some of the most critical recorded documents from that era. He was a member in the bands of Archie Shepp, Cecil Taylor, and Steve Lacy. He was an important contributor to the Jazz Composer’s Orchestra and appeared on recordings with visionary saxophonist Albert Ayler.

Rudd’s contribution to that music emphasized the trombone’s expressive, energetic, and sonic essence; an essence that was somewhat neglected in the era of bebop. Though a member of the “avant-garde”, Rudd’s instrumental voice reached back to the great, vocalized expressions at the heart of Dixieland, swing, and blues music. His powerful braying sound expressed the urgency of that time. The bending smears of his great big tone re-emphasized the sonic physicality of the music. And importantly, Rudd’s sound (and compositions) so often embodied an endearing and charismatic personality, warmth, and good-humor.

As a composer and bandleader, Rudd’s music reveals the influence of a career rich in experience and varied influences beyond the avant-garde. Those experiences include time in the Dixieland combo Eli’s Chosen Six, mentorship under the legendary pianist/composer Herbie Nichols, and his time as an assistant to the important ethnomusicologist and documenter if important American (and world) folk music, Alan Lomax. Rudd’s “Trombone Tribe” reveals those influences in a band of top-notch musicians (including a couple of players who are legends in their own right). Roswell Rudd’s Trombone Tribe presents a rare opportunity to experience a living-legend share the wisdom, joy, history, and soul of American jazz.

This concert is co-sponsored by DiverseWorks and Project Row Houses.