Trombonist Albert Mangelsdorff was a major innovator, one of only a few Europeans who has had an influence on jazz instrumentalists worldwide. He refined multiphonics, a technique utilizing vocalizing into the horn to produce chords and overtone effects. Often performing as a soloist, he also played/recorded with Elvin Jones, John Lewis, Wolfgang Dauner, and Lee Konitz. Trilogue, Live in Montreux, and Triple Entente are all played in trio with Albert’s amazing technique and multiphonics in full display.

Trombone Workshop

Recorded live at the 1971 Zurich Jazz Festival, the album features four of the best trombonists in modern jazz and a stellar rhythm section to back them up. Slide Hampton’s Trombone Suit mixes sophisticated writing, free sections, hard-swinging ensembles, and solos. The solo order: Albert Mangelsdorff, Jiggs Whigham, Ake Persson, and Hampton. Written by Whigham, Mothers Someplace is a warm lazy stroll in the Latin sunshine with solos by Jiggs, Ake, and Slide. Mangelsdorff wrote Uli’s Dance with a strong rocking beat. Albert and Slide take on solo duties with funky abandon. Whigham’s Ice-Nine alternates chordal blocks with unaccompanied solos by Ake, Slide, Jiggs, and then Albert. A free section melds into rock with a dark, masculine horn line, Norman Gruntz’s cascading e-piano solo, and a final electronically modulated solo by Jiggs. Mangelsdorff’s evocative ballad A Certain Beauty brings the session to an eloquent close with Albert and Jiggs soloing before the other two trombones join in. Trombone heaven.