Review

Rob Hudson
Trombone on Stage:
Trombone and piano

Vienna, , Austria
Publisher: Universal Edition (Carl Fischer/Theodore Presser)
Date of Publication: 2015

Score and solo part

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with piano

Rob Hudson is the Associate Archivist at Carnegie Hall in New York City and a freelance trombonist, composer and arranger. He has a bachelor’s degree in music education from Lawrence University and a master’s degree in jazz trombone performance from the Eastman School of Music. His jazz compositions and arrangements have been performed and recorded by the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, the Eastman Jazz Ensemble, the University of Northern Iowa Jazz Band and the Harvard Jazz Band amongst many others. He has taught jazz history, jazz arranging, and directed jazz ensembles at the University of New Hampshire, the University of Connecticut, and the Eastman School of Music. Hudson is the author of Evolution: The Improvisational Style of Bob Brookmeyer and composer of 30 Modern Studies for Trombone. Many of his compositions for the developing musician appear on examination syllabi worldwide.

 

Trombone on Stage is a set of easy to middle-grade pieces in a variety of classical, jazz and world music styles. They are all brief, suitable for concerts or contests. The piano parts are also within reach of intermediate level performers. They address a variety of technical and musical challenges such as articulation, breath control, key signatures, proper phrasing, dynamics and interpretation. All composed by Rob Hudson, titles include: Daybreak, Valse triste, Tolling Bells, Lullaby, Soaring, Andante religioso, Song for Joao, Song for Bill, The Lone Horseman, Blues March, Deacon Brown, Above the Clouds, Dolor, 4/3rds Blues, Blue Silver, Arioso.

 

This is a wonderful set of pieces for the young developing trombonist. They make musical sense without the piano part and take on an added dimension when the accompaniment is added.