Melba Liston and Her 'Bones

Melba Liston and Her 'Bones

Most people in jazz circles first came to hear of trombonist Melba Liston when in 1944, she began a long association with trumpeter and bandleader Gerald Wilson. He was probably the most important person in helping me develop as a writer. Melba never cared too much about solo work: I can t say I like writing more than playing. Let s just say they are both very rewarding and challenging and all that.
Later, in 1956, she joined the Gillespie band as arranger and featured soloist. That tall, dark, graceful young girl with a thousand-watt smile quickly stole the hearts of the East Coast jazz audiences, as well as the hearts of the band members. The guys in the band paid her the highest of compliments by saying She s just like one of us. We hope these, her first recordings as a leader, will serve as a reminder that on the instrumental level, for many of her contemporaries, Melba Liston was the first lady of jazz.

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