Trombones of the Thad Jones Mel Lewis band

[CharlesBingus]

I've been getting more into learning about the history of the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis orchestra, and was intrigued by who was playing what part, particularly in this recording:https://youtu.be/Ran5_bu9qME?si=iCkG-S83dFGKB_yB.

My instinct told me that Brookmeyer would be playing 3rd, and he is sitting next to (i assume) the 4th bone, but I saw someone saying that he was on lead. It also confused me because it looked like Snooky was behind him, and its more traditional for big band to have the leads stack up.

Does anyone have any info on what specific parts the bones of the band played, or know anywhere that has more info on this topic? I'm still pretty new to the history side of all of this.

[VJOFan]

I don't see that they have a bass trombone listed in that section. Usually players are listed 1-4.

With that group they may have switched around on different pieces..

[EriKon]

Yeah there might be some switching. But from what I've heard, Bob played lead with Brookmeyer and when he left, Garnett Brown played lead, but I might be wrong with that. Knepper usually was on 2nd chair.

There's lots of information about the early days of the band with a similar line up in the booklet to the All my Yesterdays album/session. It's a huge booklet. Unfortunately I can't find my copy, still hasn't moved to my new place I guess...

[EriKon]

To add: The Kids Are Pretty People solo is usually written in the 2nd trombone part in today's issues. But that doesn't have to mean anything again for them. And looking into the slide movement of everyone for this tune it doesn't look like anyone is playing 1st there, so it might be Bob playing first.

[CharlesBingus]

Thanks for the info, I think I found a copy of that booklet on a CD website!

[dukesboneman]

I think as in some Bands, The solo parts move around depending on who`s in the section that night and play to the sections strenghts