Search - J.J. Johnson :: Trombone Master

Now THIS Is Good Jazz

Le Kang | Le Monde | 04/20/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a great album! This one is definitely worth buying. Even having seen swinging live performances by trombone legends like Slide Hampton and Steve Turre, I still rarely feel in the mood for listening to jazz trombone. More often you'll find the likes of Chick Corea, Bill Evans, or Stan Getz playing at my place. Somehow, though, I always love listening to J.J. This album is unbeatable for a great sampling of J.J.'s playing--every track is a gem, especially "What Is This Thing Called Love" and "Laura". Check out "Blue Trombone" for nine straight minutes of J.J. playing licks left and right, easily swinging through chorus after chorus of blues. J.J.'s ridiculously clean and fast playing are just unbelievable--at times it almost seems like he must be playing valve trombone! His articulation and attack are indisputably right on the mark. If you haven't heard much jazz trombone, this is a great introduction. For only $11.97 it's not a bad price at all."

Lives Up to Title

Samuel Chell | Kenosha,, WI United States | 07/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The first four tracks are from "J. J. in Person," a killer on-location session on Columbia with unequaled support by Nat Adderley and Tommy Flanagan. "Laura," in particular, showcases J. J. at his representative best--the tone, the note choices, the phrasing, the perfection of the man in all that he did. Blessed with ample technique, J. J. like Miles Davis showed how to harness that facility toward thoughtful, musical ends: there's a purpose behind every note. There are plentiful examples of J. J. alone with rhythm section, or in the company of players like Winding, Getz, and Rollins, but none, that I'm aware of, with John Coltrane. If J. J. had been the trombonist on "Blue Trane," that session might have been another "Kind of Blue.""

More enjoyable with every playing of it...

William E. Adams | Midland, Texas USA | 05/06/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Trombone is not my favorite jazz instrument, but once in a while it is nice to have a different-sounding lead instrument to provide variety to all the great recordings of saxophonists, pianists and guitarists. J.J. Johnson's career ran from just after World War II to the late 1980's, with the usual ups and downs and changes of direction common to jazz artists in those decades. When I first grew into jazz in the late '50's and early '60's, he was quite active, especially with Kai Winding. This collection lacks Kai, but it offers eight full-length tracks and a brief closing from four Johnson LP's issued between 1957-1961. He is helped by Nat Adderly on cornet, Tommy Flanagan on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, Max Roach on drums, and assorted other band-mates. The CD gives us his versions of six pop music classics, one of Thelonious Monk's best compositions, and Duke Ellington's famous "Satin Doll." For about 46 minutes the trombone master will gently swing you along the highway or please you in the living room. I can't imagine any fan of classic jazz regretting this purchase."