Often referred to as the “Charlie Parker of the trombone” due to his uncanny musical dexterity and fluency, James Louis “J.J.” Johnson dominated his instrument for more than 40 years, and was known as a potent composer and arranger. He was a perennial jazz magazine poll winner for his peerless trombone playing. (source)
“Lament” is a wonderful (jazz) ballad. The melody of this expressive composition written in 1954 moves through various tonal modulations in aural perfection, then the final 8 bars grow to an emotional peak before descending back down to a final resting point on the tonic.
Check this sweet video recording of Lament composed by J.J. Johnson and arranged here for big band by Mike Tomaro, performed by Jazz Lab I at Colorado State University School of the Arts on October 5th, 2011.
Jazz Lab I (Fall 2011) at Colorado State University School of the Arts:
Trumpet 1: Scott Webber (Lead)
Trumpet 2: Jon Gray
Trumpet 3: Ryan Sullivan
Trumpet 4: Matt O’Connor
Trombone 1: David Ellis (Lead)
Trombone 2: Logan Kingston
Trombone 3: Jesse Sylvester
Bass Trombone: Will Gamache
Alto Sax 1: Ben Strauss (Lead)
Alto Sax 2: Matt Banks
Tenor Sax 1: Elliott Schwebach
Tenor Sax 2: Johnathan Federico
Baritone Sax: Nathan Wilson
Bass: Daniel Smith (Lead)
Guitar: Joe Surnett
Piano: Christian Smailes
Drums: Collin Sitgreaves
Directed by: Peter Sommer