Through the years, trombonist
Carl Fontana has remained remarkably consistent. Whether soloing with
Stan Kenton in the '50s or performing in numerous small groups or in the studio,
Fontana was rarely less than excellent. Having perfected a lightning-quick tonguing technique, he was capable of keeping up with the fastest of saxes or trumpets, thus -- along with
J.J. Johnson,
Curtis Fuller, and others -- helping to propel the trombone into the world of post-
Bird jazz and beyond. For this live session,
Fontana is teamed with Andy Martin, a studio musician who has clearly been influenced by his protégé. Backed by a strong rhythm section, the two trombonists whip up a storm on six standards, including "I Thought About You," "Centerpiece," and "On Green Dolphin Street," to dazzle and impress. An absolute must for lovers of the jazz trombone,
Fontana and Martin take Jai and
Kai to the next level. ~ Steven Loewy