About the Sound Clips
We decided to put some sound files that highlight the individual members of the Las Vegas Trombone Co. as we get ready to head into the studio to record some samples of all of us together. There are more clips coming, so check back with us often!!
Bea's Flat (excerpt)
This sound byte of "Bea's Flat" not only features the improvisational skills of LVTC trombonist Nathan Tanouye, but his compositional skills as well. Nathan was commissioned by the widow of world renown jazz pianist Russ Freeman to take Russ' compositions and arrange them for a jazz orchestra. The result of this commission is the wonderful album, Crossings: The Russ Freeman Project, which this sound clip was taken from.
In addition to the compositional skills of Nathan, the album features the playing of the Las Vegas Jazz Connection. LVTC members Kevin Stout and Mike Dobranski are part of the trombone section of this world-class quality ensemble.
For more information about purchasing the album, send us a message.
Hurry Up and Weight (excerpt)
LVTC Trombonist, Kevin Stout, is featured as composer and performer of the chart, "Hurry Up and Weight." This portion of "Hurry Up and Weight" was taken from the album, Up Jazz Creek, which features a world class jazz quintet including; Kevin Stout, trombone; Brian Booth, tenor sax; Joey Singer, piano; Tom Warrington, bass; and John Abraham, drums.
Up Jazz Creek is dedicated to the memory of trumpeter, Alan Weight. Regarding this chart, the liner notes say:
"Alan P. Weight was a world-class jazz trumpeter, educator, friend and like I [Kevin] said, mentor. Although I never took a lesson from Al, I learned volumes from him. He could crack you up just by looking at you. It seemed that he was constantly on the verge of laughter, and was laboring to keep from busting out at all times.
His wisdom for me was often dispensed in the form of two word sentences. One time, he stopped the band in rehearsal and pointed at me, saying 'don't rush'. The title of my composition, "Hurry Up and Weight" was inspired by this incident."
To purchase this, or any other album by the Jazzed5 group, log on to http://www.jazzed5.com.
Video Clips
This clip is taken from a recital given by LVTC bass trombonist, Mike Dobranski. The short video features the LVTC Quartet playing Ingo Luis' arrangement of the famous Concertino by Ferdinand David. From L-R the musicians in the clip are; Polya Bankova (piano), Nathan Tanouye, James Nelson, Kevin Stout, and Mike Dobranski.
About the LVTC
The Las Vegas Trombone Company (LVTC) is a collection of ensembles that feature some of the finest trombonists in the Las Vegas area.
The core of the LVTC is it's Quartet, which plays music of all styles. The LVTC Quartet plays everywhere from concert halls to churches and is available to do education clinics and masterclasses. Members of the LVTC Quartet are heard regularly up and down the famous Las Vegas Strip as well as all over the Las Vegas Valley.
The LVTC also has a Jazz Quintet with rhythm section. The Jazz Quintet plays everything from the jazz standards to new works and arrangements specifically written for the LVTC Jazz Quintet.
Coming soon to the LVTC family is an Octet featuring commissioned works as well as standard pieces in the trombone ensemble repertoire.
Musician Bios
(alphabetical order)Randy Crawford
Randy Crawford has been the trombonist for Las Vegas headliner, Danny Gans, for the past 6 years at The Mirage Hotel and Casino.
In addition to his current position with Las Vegas' "Entertainer of the Year," Mr. Crawford is an active freelancer and private teacher throughout the Las Vegas Valley.
Before moving to the Las Vegas area almost a decade ago, Mr. Crawford worked as a sideman and bandmaster for Princess Cruise Lines and had a stint with the Glenn Miller Orchestra.
Mr. Crawford received his Bachelor of Music in Performance from Eastern Illinois University and his Master of Music in Jazz and Contemporary Media from the Eastman School of Music. Mr. Crawford's primary teachers include; Alan Horney, Bill Dobbins, Ray Wright, George Osborn, and John Marcellus.
Mike Dobranski
Michael Dobranski grew up in Northeastern Pennsylvania where he first picked up a trombone in the 5th grade. Greatly influenced by the incredible musicianship a friend, John Stabinsky, Mr. Dobranski decided to focus on Bass Trombone in his 12th grade year.
Mr. Dobranski can currently be heard in the Las Vegas production of Mel Brooks' Broadway smash, The Producers, at the Paris Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. He has also performed with such groups as the Utah Symphony Orchestra, Chautauqua Institution Music School Festival Orchestra, Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, Colgate Symphony, Catskill Symphony, Carousel Cities Ballet Orchestra (NY), Broome County Pops Orchestra (NY), and the Las Vegas Philharmonic. His solo engagements include a performance of Eric Ewazen's Concertino for Bass Trombone and Trombone Choir with the Ithaca College Trombone Troupe. Since moving to the Las Vegas area, Mr. Dobranski has performed with such acts as; Tommy Tune and the Manhattan Rhythm Kings, The Rat Pack Tribute Show, Jekyll and Hyde: The Concert, Grant Griffin, and world-renowned drummer, Louis Bellson.
In addition to his freelancing career, Mr. Dobranski has held private studios in New York as well as his current studio in Nevada. He has also given and participated in clinics throughout New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Utah, and Nevada. Mr. Dobranski has also served as an adjudicator for the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA).
Mr. Dobranski received his Bachelor degree in Music Performance from Ithaca College. His principal teachers include; Dr. Hal Reynolds - Professor of Trombone at Ithaca College, Fred Boyd - Former Bass Trombonist with the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, and Bruce Paulson - Former Trombonist with Doc Severinson and the Tonight Show Band. Michael has had additional studies with Larry Zalkind - Principal Trombonist with the Utah Symphony Orchestra, Hal Janks - Bass Trombonist with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, and Joseph Alessi - Principal Trombonist with the New York Philharmonic.
Mr. Dobranski currently resides in the Las Vegas area with his lovely wife, Kerry.
Kevin Stout
Kevin Stout has been a freelance jazz trombonist in Las Vegas, Nevada since 1978, where he has worked with Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, Kevin Spacey, Don Rickles and Frank Sinatra Jr., among many others. His credits include the Don Menza Big Band and Quintet, The Nevada Jazz Orchestra and his own Kevin Stout Quintet.
From 1992 to 2000, Kevin performed with the Four Freshmen jazz vocal group as a trombone soloist, guitarist, bassist, percussionist and vocalist. Stout appeared on three albums with the Four Freshmen, two of which were produced and engineered by Stout. His television credits include The Charles Grodin Show, CBS Sunday Morning and 50 Years Fresh, a PBS special which aired in summer 1999 and featured Maureen McGovern. International appearances include "Tamouri's World Of Music" variety show, a NHK Four Freshmen special in Japan, and "Tribute to Stan Kenton", a German television special from Berlin.
A Jazzed5 Records recording artist and composer, Kevin was voted No. 7 in the 2000 Down Beat Readers Poll, trombone category. His latest three CDs as a co-leader with saxophonist Brian Booth have been critically acclaimed, the first of which, Good Pals (2002), climbed to No. 23 on the Jazzweek charts, with Up Jazz Creek (2003) and Tales of the Tetons (2004) placing No. 37 and No. 51 respectively.
His melodic improvisations, and an unusually extended high register mark Kevin's unique sound.
Kevin's website is at:
http://www.jazzed5.com/
Nathan Tanouye
Born in Platteville, Wisconsin in 1974, Nathan Tanouye began studying music in elementary school, first with piano lessons and later on trombone. At age 11 he moved to Hawaii, where he attended high school and began college. While at the University of Hawaii, Manoa, Mr. Tanouye studied trombone with members of the Honolulu Symphony, including Jim Decker and Mike Becker. After receiving a performance scholarship to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 1995, Mr. Tanouye moved to Las Vegas and completed his degree in both classical and jazz performance.
As a freelance trombonist, he has performed with artists such as Natalie Cole, Johnny Mathis, Tony Bennett, The Temptations, Luciano Pavarotti and Andrea Bocelli. As a composer, he has written works for many different sizes of ensembles, ranging from jazz trio to concert band. In February of 2004, the UNLV Wind Orchestra Premiered Three Steps Forward, a piece written by Mr. Tanouye to feature Eric Marienthal, Will Kennedy, Jimmy Haslip, and Russell Ferrante, later recorded and released on the Klavier label.
Mr. Tanouye has also done extensive work as an arranger, including arrangements for a diverse range of ensembles, including 18-piece jazz ensembles and flute and harp duo. Currently he is working on a project with Carolyn Freeman, arranging and recording the music of the late jazz pianist/composer Russ Freeman for big band.
Gigs
Come see Nathan, Kevin, and Mike in Mel Brooks' smash hit, The Producers!!!
Paris Las Vegas
Showtimes:
8pm - Monday thru Friday
6pm and 9pm - Saturday
(DARK SUNDAYS)
Click Here to visit the Vegas Brass
This section will not only feature information about upcoming gigs for the LVTC as a group, but information about gigs the members of the LVTC will be featured in.