[Tradjazz] Herb Gardner

[Steve Barbone]

"Bruce McNichols" <muskrat at bestweb.net> wrote (polite snip)



> Of all the musicians I've had the pleasure of working with, one stands above

> all else.  He is Herb Gardner.  Herb is clearly the perfect combination of

> heart & mind playing.  The guy is a primo all-around musician.  His formal

> training, his love of our music,  and his extensive experience has resulted in

> a guy who can blow most anybody off most any bandstand.  He can take a

> complicated chart and sight-read it with apparent ease.  Beyond that, he is a

> talented composer/arranger with dozens of tunes to his credit.

> 

> Herb is often thought of as a trombone man, but it sometimes seems as if he

> more often plays piano - and why not?  He's wonderful on any instrument.

> 

> Herb has been a key member of my Smith Street Society Jazz Band for more than

> 40 years (my my).  Among other things, he has scored complete orchestral

> arrangements for Jazz Band & Orchestra.   Further, THEY SOUND DAMNED GOOD!

> 

> If you haven't heard him in action, do yourself a favor, and do so.  This guy

> is a phenom and it seems as if he always was.


Amen on Herb, Bruce.

Saw him 2 weeks ago with Linda Ipanema at the Tri State Jazz Society Concert
in Brooklawn NJ. He was on trombone and simply superb.

BUT . . . You forgot to mention that he is an excellent singer also.

Cheers,
Steve