Updated: September 17, 2022
Born: November 1, 1959
New York-based jazz trombonist Conrad Herwig is considered one of the world’s complete jazz musicians, atop both the performing and jazz educational fields with an abundance of composer and arranger credits, as well. To date, he has released 20 recordings as a leader in addition to contributing to nearly 200 other recording sessions with some of the most notable artists in jazz. He has performed and recorded with Miles Davis, Joe Henderson, Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente, Frank Sinatra, Joe Lovano and Tom Harrell, among many others.
Born November 1, 1959, in Lawton, Okla., Herwig is an inductee of that state’s Jazz Hall of Fame. He spent his formative musical years in Hawaii under the aura of jazz icon trombonist Trummy Young, graduating from Punahou High School. The gifted trombonist then went to the University of North Texas, performing as a member of the famed One O’Clock Jazz Lab Band. Later in his career he would complete his studies at Goddard College in Plainfield, Vt., where he received his Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Afro-Caribbean ethnomusicology. Herwig’s formal studies came to a close with a Master of Arts degree in Jazz Studies from Queens College, a branch of City University of New York.
Equally well-versed in the bebop, hard bop and modern jazz musical languages, Herwig’s professional performance career commenced with big band stints with a number of iconic and legendary figures including Clark Terry, Cab Calloway, Buddy Rich, Toshiko Akiyoshi and Mel Lewis. Around that time he also performed and toured with Slide Hampton’s “World of Trombones.” Later, Herwig would work for a number of years with the Frank Sinatra Orchestra. Other important early associations included a stay with bandleader Mario Bauza’s seminal Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra, an association that would launch his mastery of the Latin and Latin Jazz genres.
As his stock rose in the New York area, he developed associations with a virtual Who’s Who of jazz. Herwig worked with a number of small, mid-sized and large ensembles while continuing to forge a name as a leader. Jazz elders he had already worked with included Red Garland, Dave Liebman and Max Roach; at the same time he attracted Danilo Pérez and David Sanchez in his groups. Herwig’s first release With Every Breath (Ken) arrived in 1987; during the course of the next 10 years he released four additional recordings for the same label.
During the mid-1980s he began a long association with Eddie Palmieri, a musical journey that continues to this day. Herwig also performed regularly as a member of Paquito D’Rivera’s Quintet and larger ensembles such as the Dizzy Gillespie inspired United Nation Orchestra. He also continues his now long-standing affiliation with the Mingus Big Band, where he has served as musical director and contributed as arranger, most notably on the 2008 GRAMMY-nominated Live at the Tokyo Blue Note (Sunnyside).
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All About Jazz Articles
Conrad Herwig: A Voice Through the Door
by C. Andrew Hovan
In the challenging economic and political climate of present day, it seems that much time is spent on matters of only fleeting importance. Furthermore, it seems that our culture has experienced a paradigm shift that places more emphasis on immediacy and instant fulfillment and less on rumination and appreciation of more profound matters. On the one hand come the duties and obligations that embody day to day survival, but there is also a need for balance. It is this current ...
read moreConrad Herwig: Land of Shadow
by C. Andrew Hovan
In the spirit of Miles Davis and a select number of his followers, Conrad Herwig in the course of his musical endeavors spanning some 20 years has strived to keep the music inching forward to new and previously undiscovered vistas. His versatility as demonstrated by an ability to transcend genres, be it Eddie Palmieri's Afro-Cuban muse or the repertory bent of the Mingus Big Band, also raises its head in his outstanding series of Criss Cross recordings that began with ...
read moreJoe Chambers: Moving Pictures Orchestra: Live at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola
by John Kelman
It's one thing to have an established `place in the jazz pantheon, another to continue redefining that position, long after others might be content to rest on their laurels. Joe Chambers' work behind the drum kit with artists including Andrew Hill, Bobby Hutcherson, Wayne Shorter, Freddie Hubbard, Charles Mingus, and McCoy Tyner has already ensured a prominent place in jazz history. His output as a leader may be small, but he's delivered two outstanding Savant recordings in 2006's The Outlaw ...
read moreConrad Herwig: Obligation
by C. Andrew Hovan
Jazz fans tend to be fanatical about those artists that most directly speak to their own musical tastes. Over time, a sense of familiarity with the musical personalities of their iconic favorites becomes entrenched, followed by categorization based on style and genre. Those already familiar with Conrad Herwig's musical endeavors over the past 20 years are likely to speak to his great versatility, at home in both jazz and Afro-Cuban musical circles as he is in leading his own varied ...
read moreConrad Herwig: The Latin Side of Horace Silver
by Jack Bowers
New York-based trombonist Conrad Herwig began exploring the Latin side" of various jazz musicians in 1996, with The Latin Side of John Coltrane, which earned him the first of four Latin Grammy Award nominations. Since then, Herwig has done the same for Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson and, now, pianist Horace Silver. The formula is trim and solid; choose several of an artist's more notable compositions and recast them in a rhythmic Latin framework. For The Latin ...
read moreRobby Ameen: Diluvio
by Jack Bowers
It's a given that wherever Grammy-winning drummer Robby Ameen goes, irrepressible rhythm is sure to follow. Diluvio, Ameen's third album as leader of his own ensemble, is clearly no exception to the rule. Ameen's half-dozen compositions are intrepid and lively, and even Gerry Mulligan's Line for Lyons" and John Coltrane's Impressions," which seal the album, are given bright rhythmic makeovers in keeping with the leader's metrical frame of mind. To lend color and variety, Ameen employs a ...
read moreRobby Ameen: Diluvio
by Dan Bilawsky
Perhaps it's a flood of rhythm that the title and cover art refer to on this third leader outing from drumming dynamo Robby Ameen. A heavy hitter in Afro-Cuban circles for decades, Ameen's frangible linear Latin funk workouts, intricate rhythmic roadmapping, song-serving chops and good taste have earned him an overwhelmingly positive reputation. Everybody from musical polymath Ruben Blades to flutist Dave Valentin and pianist Eddie Palmieri to trombonist Conrad Herwig has called on Ameen multiple times over the years, ...
read moreConrad Herwig & The Latin Side All-Stars Kick of Tuesday Night Residency At The Django - Celebrating 25+ Years Of 'The Latin Side'
Source:
Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity
Trombonist/Composer Conrad Herwig and The Latin Side All-Stars—Residency At The Django January / February / March 2023! Celebrating 25+ Years of The Latin Side..." The Latin Side All-Stars: Conrad Herwig: trombone, Alex Norris: trumpet, Craig Handy: sax, flute; Bill O’Connell: piano; Ruben Rodriguez: bass, Robby Ameen: drums; Camilo Molina: percussion. Every Tuesday Night January 17—Latin Side All-Stars January 24—Latin Side All-Stars January 31—Latin Side All-Stars February 7—Latin Side All-Stars February 14—Latin Side of Mingus February 21—Latin Side of Horace Silver ...
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Rad Jazz Music Introduces "The Tip Of The Sword"--The Latest Release From Conrad Herwig Featuring Richie Beirach and Jack DeJohnette
Source:
hubtone PR
AVAILABLE NOW AS CD OR DOWNLOAD EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH conradherwig.com NEW YORK,NYTrombonist Conrad Herwig, known for Latinizing" the classic compositions of jazz greats John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter, among others, presents The Tip of the Sword, a vital new release featuring Richie Beirach and Jack DeJohnette. It is a courageous recordingfreely interactive, oftentimes fiercethat focuses on daring improvisation within a trio context. It showcases seven originals and it couples Herwig with one of jazz's legendary figures (pianist ...
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Conrad Herwig wins Jazz Award 2006
Source:
All About Jazz
This year's Paul Acket Award 'Artist Deserving Wider Recognition' (formerly Bird Award) has been granted to trombonist Conrad Herwig. This prize, presented at the North Sea Jazz Festival, is intended for an artist who, according to the jury, deserves the attention of a broader audience.
Jazz connoisseurs consider Conrad Herwig one of the most prominent jazz trombonists. More than a musician, he has also been active as a composer, arranger, band-leader and educator. Herwig, who started his musical career in ...
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Trombonists Conrad Herwig Wins Paul Acket Award 2006
Source:
All About Jazz
This year's Paul Acket Award 'Artist Deserving Wider Recognition' (formerly Bird Award) has been granted to trombonist Conrad Herwig. This prize, presented at the North Sea Jazz Festival, is intended for an artist who, according to the jury, deserves the attention of a broader audience. Jazz connoisseurs consider Conrad Herwig as one of the most prominent jazz trombonists. More than a musician, he has also been active as a composer, arranger, band-leader and educator. Herwig, who ...
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Trombonist Conrad Herwig to perform with the Honolulu Jazz Quartet
Source:
All About Jazz
Grammy Nominated Trombonist Conrad Herwig in “Reunion” Concert with the Honolulu Jazz Quartet Former Hawaii resident and two time Grammy nominee, trombonist Conrad Herwig will perform a concert with his high school jazz band-mate, bassist John Kolivas and the Honolulu Jazz Quartet at the Honolulu Academy of Arts’ Doris Duke Theatre on May 20, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 for general public and $23 for Academy of Arts members. Phone (808) 383-3909 This will be Mr. Herwig’s first ...
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“There's a young trombone player who's hot and he's going to really be something. His name is Conrad Herwig and he can play!”
— Buddy Rich
“Be on the lookout for a new giant. Trombonists beware!”
— Clark Terry
“A powerhouse of a trombonist... a compelling composer... one of the young lions of the trombone.”
— Downbeat Magazine
“If Coltrane played trombone, this is what he would sound like! ...Herwig is a MASTER of the trombone. He uses the entire range of the horn, and rips out lines that would make saxophonists envious. His sense of melody and rhythm are unmatched. ”
Roy Hargrove
trumpetCedar Walton
pianoKenny Garrett
saxophone, altoKurt Rosenwinkel
guitarMichael Brecker
saxophone, tenorChris Potter
saxophoneJoe Lovano
saxophoneDave Douglas
trumpetJoshua Redman
saxophoneCharles Lloyd
saxophoneJ.J. Johnson
tromboneBranford Marsalis
saxophoneSlide Hampton
tromboneCurtis Fuller
tromboneArturo Sandoval
trumpetWycliffe Gordon
tromboneArtists who share similar musical characteristics to Conrad Herwig.
Contact
Publicist
Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity
Management and booking
Booking Inquiries/Management:
National Pastimes Productions
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