The Trombonist’s Trombonist Dies At 92
On Monday, December 31, 2018, Urban Clifford (known as ‘Urbie’) Green passed away at the age of 92. Urbie was considered one of the great giants on the jazz trombone. Born in Mobile, Alabama, Urbie began playing trombone around the age of 12. Influenced by a wide variety of jazz and popular artists, Urbie began playing in professional settings when he was 15 years old. In 1947, after performing with various groups, Urbie got the call to join Gene Krupa’s band then later joining Woody Herman’s third “Thundering Herd” band in 1950. After his move to New York City in 1953, Urbie quickly became one of the most sought out artists in the city leading to his recognition by Down Beat International Critics Award for “New Star” in 1954.
With his beautiful, lyrical playing, Urbie recorded 25 solo albums and is featured on countless other albums. His attachment to other artists across the musical spectrum is truly one of a kind. Names such as Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Leonard Bernstein, Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Coleman Hawkins, Dizzy Gillespie, Barbra Streisand, Perry Como, Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones, Burt Bacharach, Herbie Mann, and others have all included the sound of Urbie on their projects.
In addition to the many recordings for which Urbie was either a soloist or sideman, he also contributed to the film industry by performing in the movie, “The Benny Goodman Story.” His performance in this film eventually led to a 3-month tour with the Benny Goodman Orchestra.
Considered one of the greatest trombonists to walk this earth, Urbie will be missed while his legacy lives on in the recordings and personal interactions he had with his many colleagues.
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