George Lewis

While among the top trombonists in jazz, Lewis doesn't restrict his activities to any particular style. Throughout his career he's played with such diverse bandleaders as Swing pioneer Count Basie and avant-garde sax honker David Murray, meanwhile devoting much of his own work to genre-defying long-from pieces. 1979's "Homage to Charles Parker" remains unique for its blend of serene harmonies, jazz-based soloing, and analog synth textures; his recent CD Voyager, on the other hand, is a challenging effort that makes use of a computer program that twists and interacts with the players' improvisations. He continues to work in free-form improv settings in addition to writing extended pieces for classical pianists and orchestras. Recorded all too infrequently, Lewis is an unpredictable voice whose wit, experimentation, and comprehensive mastery of the trombone nonetheless remain constant.