J.J. Johnson and Kai Winding were among the leading innovators and primary exponents of the trombone in modern jazz.

Exploring the instrument’s potential in the challenging musical era following the emergence of bebop in the 1940s, where trumpet and saxophone were more suited to the medium’s rapid tempos and demand for technical mastery, the duo established their reputations as soloists. Danish-born American, Winding, was a member of Benny Goodman’s orchestra, then Stan Kenton’s.

He participated in Birth of the Cool sessions in 1949, appearing on four of the 12 tracks, while Johnson appeared on the other eight, having participated on the other sessions. J. J. began his professional career with Clarence Love, and then played with Snookum Russell in 1942. In Russell’s band, he met the trumpeter Fats Navarro, who influenced him to play in the style of the tenor saxophonist Lester Young. He played in Benny Carter’s orchestra between 1942 and 1945, and took part in the first Jazz at the Philharmonic concert, presented in Los Angeles by Norman Granz. In 1945, he joined the big band of Count Basie, touring and recording with him until 1946.

They came together in 1953 for the first time to collaborate on a series of projects in different group environments and this 4CD set features most of the titles. It includes material from the Live at Putnam Central Club performances plus tracks from the albums Reflections on Savoy, An Afternoon At Birdland on X, Jay & Kai on Prestige, K + J.J. on Bethlehem, alongside Trombone For Two, Jai & Kai Plus 6, and Jai & Kai At Newport on Columbia. It makes for an enlightening listening as they present both familiar and original jazz repertoire in a variety of unusual musical settings.

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