Ashley Alexander was my high school band director in the early 60's. We were able to watch the development of the superbone as he was working with Holton and had new versions to test every few months. The man was an educational experience beyond belief. Frank Mantooth played piano in the stage band. Lots of talent in that high school group.
@Top Kick thanks for the comments, the history of the Holton superbone seems mostly lost nowadays. It looks like the model Ashley plays here is customised from the standard factory one, bell seems much smaller and part of the valve section kind of loops around his left hand. Do you know why he made the changes? (Or why Holton decided to put such a massive 9.5” bell onto such a narrow bore horn?). Were there other changes Ashley adopted too? Eg larger bore size? Thanks!
@@deemerta7339 I played in his bands at MSAC 1979-81. He was an awesome low brass player. He'd use one hand for fingering bass clef & the other for fingering treble clef. Sweet tone on euphonium.
@@schiffdigital Hey Joe!!!! Long time DUUUUUDE!!! I'm stuck in TX 21 years now! Scott Eilers lives 40 miles away for about a year or two. Best to ya old friend!
@@deemerta7339 very customized when it comes to the hand brace. He was always fusing with it. Other than that it was not modified to my knowledge. He could make any horn "talk"! I studied with him 79 until near his passing.
Just heard this, and agree that the trombone player knocked my socks off. Boy was he good! Could find no definition of a 'valide'. This is a 'superbone'
The trombonist is Ashley Alexander, a Big Band trombonist, music educator and recording artist, died at a jazz camp in Saskatchewan, Canada. was 52 and had a history of heart trouble. he played with Teddy Phillips, Billy May, Stan Kenton and Tex Beneke and recorded with his own 20-piece band, most recently an album called "Power Slide."
My first exposure to the "Superbone". Someone IDd him as Ashley Alexander. Great player! Bill was almost "overwhelmed" by the ensemble here--- a rarity. The clarinetist is Chuck Hedges (deceased), my old roomie back in the 50's Chicago.
Ashley Alexander is one of those guys that shows you that if you practice you can make anything work. Guy played with some of the biggest cats using a superbone of all things. And with an embouchure that makes Dick Nash look like Jean-Baptiste Arban.
Strangely I just picked up a 78 rpm copy of Butter and Egg Man by Wild Bill Davison recorded in 1945 on the Commodore label. It's interesting to compare the two. I posted it on UA-cam.
There's another version which allows interaction with slide and valves at the same time. It's a trip. There's a fellow seen on UA-cam who pays the bone and trumpet also. I forget his name. Real great!
I just discovered this. Nice!! In addition to Wild Bill Davison (cornet) and Ashley Alexander ("Superbone'), you can see and hear: Eddie Miller (tenor sax); Chuck Hedges (clarinet); Gene Estes (drums); and Ray Leatherwood (bass). Sorry; I couldn't identify the pianist, either aurally or visually.
OK: There's a split-second of the pianist right at the beginning of the video. I missed it before. Between this, and what I could hear during the performance, I'm now sure it's the great Johnny Varro! Johnny is the only one extant of this terrific group of musicians. He's still playing beautifully.
This is the best trombone solo I've ever heard on "Big Butter and Egg Man." You can just feel the chord changes. Ashley Alexander was too talented to live, I guess. Thankfully, most of us don't have to worry about that.
Please - does anyone know who the amazing superbone player is! Absolutely great facility on both aspects of what is an extremely tricky horn. Whoever you are, you're an absolute knockout!!! I want more, more, more ......
Please somebody - who is this superb trombonist? Absolutely knocked me out - and it's a pretty awful instrument to blow, even when you have good slid and valve technique.
Wild Bill Davison is the most underrated trumpet player of the 20th century.
My first Jazzmusiker Freund und Lehrer in Sachen Jazz.Seine Originalität und Lebenseinstellung machte aus mir einen Jazzmusiker der ich heute bin.
Ashley Alexander was my high school band director in the early 60's. We were able to watch the development of the superbone as he was working with Holton and had new versions to test every few months. The man was an educational experience beyond belief. Frank Mantooth played piano in the stage band. Lots of talent in that high school group.
@Top Kick thanks for the comments, the history of the Holton superbone seems mostly lost nowadays. It looks like the model Ashley plays here is customised from the standard factory one, bell seems much smaller and part of the valve section kind of loops around his left hand. Do you know why he made the changes? (Or why Holton decided to put such a massive 9.5” bell onto such a narrow bore horn?). Were there other changes Ashley adopted too? Eg larger bore size? Thanks!
@@deemerta7339 I played in his bands at MSAC 1979-81. He was an awesome low brass player. He'd use one hand for fingering bass clef & the other for fingering treble clef. Sweet tone on euphonium.
@@schiffdigital Hey Joe!!!! Long time DUUUUUDE!!! I'm stuck in TX 21 years now! Scott Eilers lives 40 miles away for about a year or two. Best to ya old friend!
@@deemerta7339 very customized when it comes to the hand brace. He was always fusing with it. Other than that it was not modified to my knowledge. He could make any horn "talk"! I studied with him 79 until near his passing.
@@garysmith6357 Hey Gary! Great to hear from you. Haven’t made it out of CA yet, but maybe soon. Glad to hear Scott made it out of Yucaipa!
Brilliant from all, especially from the two leads. Love the way Ashley Alexander picks up Bill Davidson's style and blends. Tha'ts class.
Just heard this, and agree that the trombone player knocked my socks off. Boy was he good! Could find no definition of a 'valide'. This is a 'superbone'
Very impressed with Ashley Alexander! Being from Canada
myself,I wonder how come I never heard of him.Terrific player!
The trombonist is Ashley Alexander, a Big Band trombonist, music educator and recording artist, died at a jazz camp in Saskatchewan, Canada. was 52 and had a history of heart trouble. he played with Teddy Phillips, Billy May, Stan Kenton and Tex Beneke and recorded with his own 20-piece band, most recently an album called "Power Slide."
Appreciate the info on Alexander. His early death explains why I hadn't known of him.
Ashley Alexander on Superbone!
Ashley Alexander played the Superbone during a duet with Frank Rossolino on the 1st MSAC Jazz Festival in mid 70's.
Roger Trombone that’s amazing, would love to hear that! Is there a recording anywhere you know of?
super bone in slide and fingering action, amazing hybrid
My first exposure to the "Superbone". Someone IDd him as Ashley Alexander. Great player!
Bill was almost "overwhelmed" by the ensemble here--- a rarity. The clarinetist is Chuck Hedges (deceased), my old roomie back in the 50's Chicago.
Ashley Alexander is one of those guys that shows you that if you practice you can make anything work. Guy played with some of the biggest cats using a superbone of all things. And with an embouchure that makes Dick Nash look like Jean-Baptiste Arban.
Strangely I just picked up a 78 rpm copy of Butter and Egg Man by Wild Bill Davison recorded in 1945 on the Commodore label. It's interesting to compare the two. I posted it on UA-cam.
That trombone (valide) is a new one on me....both valves and slide. Wow that could lead to some wierd transpositions. Great sound from the whole band.
There's another version which allows interaction with slide and valves at the same time. It's a trip. There's a fellow seen on UA-cam who pays the bone and trumpet also. I forget his name. Real great!
I just discovered this. Nice!! In addition to Wild Bill Davison (cornet) and Ashley Alexander ("Superbone'), you can see and hear: Eddie Miller (tenor sax); Chuck Hedges (clarinet); Gene Estes (drums); and Ray Leatherwood (bass). Sorry; I couldn't identify the pianist, either aurally or visually.
OK: There's a split-second of the pianist right at the beginning of the video. I missed it before. Between this, and what I could hear during the performance, I'm now sure it's the great Johnny Varro! Johnny is the only one extant of this terrific group of musicians. He's still playing beautifully.
What the hell of a trombone Is It?? Effective!
This is the best trombone solo I've ever heard on "Big Butter and Egg Man." You can just feel the chord changes. Ashley Alexander was too talented to live, I guess. Thankfully, most of us don't have to worry about that.
Please - does anyone know who the amazing superbone player is! Absolutely great facility on both aspects of what is an extremely tricky horn. Whoever you are, you're an absolute knockout!!! I want more, more, more ......
Who is on the valide trombone? Looks like Eddie Miller on tenor.
Please somebody - who is this superb trombonist? Absolutely knocked me out - and it's a pretty awful instrument to blow, even when you have good slid and valve technique.
More impressed with the anonymous band.