Here is some more information about Charlie Small, with details about a memorial service that will be held in Scottsdale, Arizona, on Saturday of this week. Also, Erik Ketcherside wrote a nice tribute to Charlie in 2015 that contains some great stories and information about him:
https://medium.com/@rathfulman/yards-and-yards-of-velvet-e3ed91d4c97d
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Charles (Charlie) Small, known both as a trombonist and composer, died on April 17 in Scottsdale Arizona; he was 90 years old.
Born in New York City on February 9, 1927 as Charles Srulowitz, Charlie became the youngest member of the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra in 1944 when he joined the band at the age of 17. He went on to have an active career playing with numerous groups in New York City including the American Broadcasting Company Orchestra and the Dick Cavet Show; he also played on Urbie Green's legendary 21 Trombones albums and made a play-along record of duets, Little Jazz Duets," on the Music Minus One label. After living and working in Los Angeles from 1976-1979, he returned to New York City, playing Broadway Shows including Evita" and The King and I, and working frequently on the New York club date circuit. He wrote his best known composition, Conversation for tenor and bass trombones, for himself and David Taylor; it was premiered at the New York Brass Conference for Scholarships. In 1988, the NYBCS published a book about Charlie and his career, New York Brass Conference for Scholarships: Featuring Charlie Small and he led a trombone ensemble near his home in Arizona for many years. He was a tireless supporter of Phoenix area trombone players and their activities and was often seen at recitals and concerts at Arizona State University and around the Phoenix area..
He will be missed by generations of trombonists who were touched by his music, his playing, his delightful sense of humor and his love for the trombone and the people who played it. A memorial service for Charlie Small will be held at Vi at Grayhawk where Charlie and his wife, Emily, have lived for the last several years:
Memorial service for Charles (Charlie) Small:
Saturday, April 29, 2017 - 2:00 pm
Vi at Grayhawk
7501 E. Thompson Peak Parkway
Scottsdale, Arizona
Other memorial arrangements are not known at this time.
