Hello, This is more like it. I instantly forgot that I was listening to a trombone, which is the real test. This man is the rarest of all professional instrumentalists...an actual musician! I know because when he plays I hear music instead of conspicuous technique, where others are instrumentalist/technicians whose efforts cause you to be constantly conscious of their technique, despite not struggling or making mistakes. That is his artistry; the artistry not always appreciated. Having said that, I bet it is the case that these performances are not the most popularly subscribed to for that very reason: instrumentalist, professional and amateur both, seem more attracted to others of their type; that which causes them to be conscious of the identity politics of the brass paradigm. Thank-you for proving the point I have made elsewhere on CZcams about music, virtuosity, and how to make music on a trombone. Well done! Tim
P.S. As fine a bass trombonists as he is, I think it a terrible shame that James isn't focused on developing the 'musical' credibility and validity of the 'tenor' trombone as a recitalist. So rare are 'musicians' of note (those whose technique inaudibly defeats the the musical challenges and vice versa) amongst the myriad of fine orchestral 'instrumentalists" (those whose techmical mastery is unconsciously made to be deliberately audible to prove their virtuosity, and as a result over-powers their musicianship in the process). They are less musically engaging as soloists, except to trombonist/fan-boys who covet their jobs, and believe imitation to be the surest route to win...what, a job counting bars rest, waiting to define yourself in a musically limited way as no more (or less) than a member of a greater section, as if they were a humble chorister. Sadly, we have plenty of skilled technical trombonists, those whose playing promotes their...virtuosity, but where are the trombonist-artists, whose playing promotes and elevates all the music they touch? Have we found and lost one here? Glad of this archive to prove the exception. Would that it were the rule.
I can't stop listening to this. The musicianship is so real and heartfelt. No ego. Just wonderful music making.
Some of the best trombone playing I’ve ever heard. Wow.
Never heard Jim play tenor before, but he just blew me away. Wow. What a sound!
Hello,
This is more like it. I instantly forgot that I was listening to a trombone, which is the real test. This man is the rarest of all professional instrumentalists...an actual musician! I know because when he plays I hear music instead of conspicuous technique, where others are instrumentalist/technicians whose efforts cause you to be constantly conscious of their technique, despite not struggling or making mistakes. That is his artistry; the artistry not always appreciated.
Having said that, I bet it is the case that these performances are not the most popularly subscribed to for that very reason: instrumentalist, professional and amateur both, seem more attracted to others of their type; that which causes them to be conscious of the identity politics of the brass paradigm. Thank-you for proving the point I have made elsewhere on CZcams about music, virtuosity, and how to make music on a trombone. Well done!
Tim
P.S. As fine a bass trombonists as he is, I think it a terrible shame that James isn't focused on developing the 'musical' credibility and validity of the 'tenor' trombone as a recitalist. So rare are 'musicians' of note (those whose technique inaudibly defeats the the musical challenges and vice versa) amongst the myriad of fine orchestral 'instrumentalists" (those whose techmical mastery is unconsciously made to be deliberately audible to prove their virtuosity, and as a result over-powers their musicianship in the process). They are less musically engaging as soloists, except to trombonist/fan-boys who covet their jobs, and believe imitation to be the surest route to win...what, a job counting bars rest, waiting to define yourself in a musically limited way as no more (or less) than a member of a greater section, as if they were a humble chorister. Sadly, we have plenty of skilled technical trombonists, those whose playing promotes their...virtuosity, but where are the trombonist-artists, whose playing promotes and elevates all the music they touch? Have we found and lost one here? Glad of this archive to prove the exception. Would that it were the rule.
Absolutely superb performance. This is trombone playing and musicianship of the very highest quality.
The most beautiful and creamy Legato! And, the crescendos! So even. Most important, this is singing. Thank you for posting.
best legato ever
Fantastic musicianship, so lyrical it really takes you elsewhere.
Beautiful
I love the way this sounds but there seems to be a strange artifact in the recording