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Jazz Trombone Ensemble (The U-Tubes)

The U-Tubes is a group at UNT consisting of 6 tenors and 2 bass trombones with full rhythm section. The ensemble performs new arrangements and original compositions by UNT students and faculty as well as selections from the classic trombone-band literature. MULB 1808

Info For Those Interested in Writing for The U-Tubes

Instrumentation 6 tenor trombones (lead line can go up to a D 8VA above middle C, and the occasional high F) 2 bass trombones (can write down to a pedal F) piano, bass, drums, guitar

Think modern, different, swingin 1:00 Lab Band sounds. Use 1:00 recordings for inspiration and ideas. You can arrange a standard, jazz standard, or compose an original. Here are some other great writers to check out for direction:

  • Slide Hampton
  • Thad Jones
  • Bob Brookmeyer
  • Walt Weiskopf
  • David Hazeltine
  • Bob Mintzer
  • Maria Schneider
  • etc, etc.

Groups to listen to for trombone-band style and possibilities:

  • New York Trombone Conspiracy CD: "A Matter of Time"

  • Them Bones CD: "You Asked For It: Them Bones"

  • Slide Hampton's World of Trombones CDs: "Spirit of the Horn" "World of Trombones"

  • The Capitol Bones CD: "Epistrophy"

  • "Cream of the Crop" Bobby Knight's Great American Trombone Company Specifically: "Recuerdos"

(All other charts for trombone ranges and textures)

Audition Information

Send submissions (pdfs) and questions to Steve Wiest at swiest@music.unt.edu.