Curtis Fuller (Trombonist)

Trombonist Curtis Fuller defined jazz trombone playing in the Hard Bop era. Credited as he is for being a pioneer, trombone wasn't actually Fuller's first choice. "I more or less think that the trombone was chosen for me," says Fuller. "I first selected a violin, which I didn't do too well with, and, ironically, the only thing left was the trombone."

Like many musicians of his time, Fuller learned by ear, not primarily in a classroom. "I had a fair amount of musical education, although I had to do a lot of things on my own, because my music teacher was a reed player. he had no knowledge of brass instruments. But, you know, when you're caught up into a force, it really makes no difference. I may do some things wrong, but I do a lot of things right! When you have to get through yourself, studying and practicing alone, you hear, you read, and you know the things that you can do well-and what you can't do. You buy all the books you can buy, with your little money, and you try to do it the best you can."

Listen to Samples: http://hardbop.tripod.com/fuller.html

NEA Jazz Masters 2007

This year's class of Jazz Masters covers the global spectrum of the jazz community. The IAJE Conference invites the NEA Jazz Masters to attend the conference and connect with the educators and students they have so greatly influenced. Here's a brief look as this year's Jazz Masters:

2007 Fellowships Recipients

• Toshiko Akiyoshi - Bandleader
• Curtis Fuller - Solo Instrumentalist (Trombone)
• Ramsey Lewis - Pianist
• Dan Morgenstern - A.B. Spellman NEA Jazz Masters Award for Jazz Advocacy
• Jimmy Scott - Vocalist
• Frank Wess - Solo Instrumentalist (Flute)
• Phil Woods - Composer-Arranger

Photo credits: Ray Barretto - photo by Jean-Jacques Pussiau; Tony Bennett - photo courtesy of Sony BMG Music Entertainment; Bob Brookmeyer- photo by Wolfgang Gonaus; Chick Corea - photo by Pino Ninfa; Buddy DeFranco - photo by Denny Lester; Freddie Hubbard - photo by Jimmy Katz; John Levy - photo by Leroy Hamilton.