Review

David Wilborn
8 Southern Jazz Duets:

Coventry, , United Kingdom
Publisher: Warwick Music Publishers
Date of Publication: 2025
URL: http://www.warwickmusic.com

Performing score

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 2 trombones

Set for tenor and bass trombone, these duets are inspired by the southern culture of the United States. Some of the cleverly titled pieces include Hey Reb, Pass the Biscuits!, The Nawlean Blues, and I Wuz Gaz’un at the Cajun. Eight distinct styles are represented in these duets including waltz, “slow hot nasty blues,” “zydeco rock,” and “tempo di bebop.” Each duet features helpful program notes, which describe inspiration for the titles and music. The tenor trombonist must be able to perform b1, the bass trombonist A. These extremes occur in only two of the duets; the remainder are reasonably scored. Style is appropriately indicated through articulation and dynamic markings; however, regular listening to these styles is necessary for proper execution. One duet involves optional plunger mute, which provides an occasion for introduction to this technique in a relatively easy way. Teaching these various styles in duet fashion enables the instructor to share concepts that the student can apply directly to mainstream literature. The variety of interaction between parts is attractive, be it unison figures, contrapuntal writing, or melody accompanied by walking bass line. The duets are well-crafted and are appropriate and enjoyable to perform in public. Print is a bit small and cramped in some sections and page turns are difficult to navigate, which invite photocopying, a practice the publisher warns against on the cover page. Despite these minor setbacks, Wilborn contributes an excellent new addition to the repertoire which should be shared with fellow musicians and audiences.

-David Stern
Lewiston, ME