Rick Trolsen
(Photo © Rick Olivier)
2008 was an exciting year for New Orleans’ trombonist Rick Trolsen. After a two-year stint with the powerhouse group, Bonerama, Rick has passionately pursued his Brazilian jazz group, Gringo do Choro, as well as reviving his original group, Neslort, a jazz-rock ensemble featuring his original music. In August, he embarked on his fifth trip to Rio de Janeiro for two weeks of performances, workshops, study, and needless to say, a good time. A week after returning to the states, he flew to Trinidad to perform with Joe Sample and the Crusaders. Now, back in New Orleans, with a recording agreement with Threadhead Records, he will be recording more of his original music with Neslort.
Rick arrived in New Orleans in 1982, after attending Berklee College of Music. He quickly fell into good company, and was adopted as the first call sideman in town. From 1991 to 1998 he led the jazz/rock group ”Neslort” as a vehicle for his original compositions. A perennial favorite for 3 consecutive years at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, “Neslort” has featured some of the finest musicians in town, and has released 2 CD’s.
In 2003, Rick traveled to Rio de Janeiro to record “Gringo Do Choro”, which features primarily Choro music from the early part of the 20th century, with a few Bossas and Samba’s thrown in. It wasn’t until after hurricane Katrina that he recorded the traditional music of New Orleans. In 2006 & 2007, he released “New Orleans Lullaby” and “Sunrise on Bourbon Street.”
Rick Trolsen (Photo by Sue Poag)
As a freelance trombonist Rick has enjoyed featured performances with all walks of the local music life, and has proved Rick to be versatile and at ease with contemporary and traditional jazz, blues, reggae, big bands, show music, avante garde, and club dates. Performances and/or recordings include Dr.John, Clarence”Gatemouth” Brown, Joe Sample and the Crusaders, Gino Vannelli, The O’Jays, Earl King, Marva Wright, Allen Toussaint, Slide Hampton, Al Hirt, The Dukes of Dixieland, The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Henry Mancini, Rosemary Clooney, Bonerama, Stan Musial, The Woody Herman Band, The Temptations, Al Grey, Barry Manilow, Bob Hope, Steve Allen, Aretha Franklin, Boz Scaggs, The Four Tops, Doc Severinsen, Johnny Cash, Harry Connick Jr., the CAC Jazz Orchestra, directed by Ellis Marsalis and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra directed by Irvin Mayfield.
