valve trombone

Specializing in a valve trombone dubbed a “flugabone,” Dominique calls on a roster of talent from L.A. jazz label Orenda Records to help distill a time of recent personal upheaval into an exuberant, even joyful record that’s as unpredictable as it is approachable.

The album, out on Feb. 19, will be the first sanctioned release of this material, featuring revered figures like Bob Brookmeyer on valve trombone and Hank Jones, Thad’s older brother, on piano.

He brought his regular sextet, with Diego Urcola on trumpet and valve trombone, Alex Brown on piano, Oscar Stagnaro on electric bass, Pernell Saturnino on percussion and Mark Walker on drums.

He played valve trombone and trumpet in his high school orchestra and secured his first professional engagement, which paid 75 cents a night, with the help of his tuba-playing brother-in-law.

The performance will be done with the original Ellington instrumentation, including valve trombone, guitar and two bass fiddles.