A Jazz Festival homecoming
By Ken Grady
MY GOOD FRIEND, Jazz trombonist Robert Trowers, will be on stage with celebrated piano legend Randy Weston at the 2016 Panama Jazz Festival.
I met Robert years ago when I was a Jazz dj at North Carolina Central University (NCCU), in Durham, which boasts an internationally acclaimed Jazz studies department and Jazz orchestra.
Literally a jazz mecca, NCCU was on the “circuit” for Jazz performers as they traveled up and down the east coast in the US. In addition, many Jazz cats and kittens not only performed, but also held workshops and served on the faculty at the university. Among them, Branford Marsalis (as), Christian McBride (b), Jimmy Heath (ts,flte), Nnenna Freelon (v), and my friend, trombonist Robert Trowers.
Born in New York in 1957, Robert is an accomplished performer among a strong core of trombonists playing in the mainstream and post-bop styles. In the early 70’s, at age 15, he began playing the trombone, while studying at The City College of New York. He was drawn to bebop by the work of trombonists JJ Johnson, Jimmy Cleveland and Curtis Fuller. He earned his “chops” by playing professionally with bands lead by Jaki Byard(p,ts), Cecil Payne(bs), and Ray Draper(tb). He toured Europe, and performed at Carnegie Hall, with Abdullah Ibrahim(p) in the late 70’s.
In the early 80’s Robert joined the bands of Lionel Hampton, and alto-sax stalwart, Illinios Jaquet. Later, Trowers was hired by the great drummer, Frank Foster(dr) who was leading a revived Count Basie Band. At the same time, Robert recorded 2 albums under his own name, Synopsis in 1983 and Point of View in 1985. Robert’s tenure with the Basie Band would last for 8 years, at which point he would move on to Wynton Marsalis’s Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Later, he joined the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra playing Monday night’s at the Village Vanguard in New York’s West village, and touring in France and Tunisia with that group. The 1990’s also saw Robert Trowers’ first collaboration with Randy Weston(p).
His talent also put him on stage with many Jazz greats including, Sarah Vaughn, Billy Eckstine, Frank Sinatra, Joe Williams, Dizzy and many others. Jazz critics of the day described his sound as “…inviting and vibrant.” Since I know Robert personally, I can say that with all the hi-lites of his career he maintains a down-to-earth demeanor.
In addition, Robert’s commitment to teaching prompted him to join Frank Foster and Derrick Gardner in forming the non-profit, Progressive Artistry, an organiztion which promotes Jazz in all its’ art forms among under priviledged youth.
In Robert’s own words, “…I have a large number of motivated students who love this music, and are strong musically. If I can be to them what my mentors have been to me, I’ll feel useful.”
Robert’s grandfather was one of the builders of the Panama Canal. So, this will be a special “homecoming” for Robert, and a reunion with Randy Weston. It should be quite an evening on Thursday, January 15 Don’t miss it!
