Trombonist Urbie Green was known for his smooth, warm and mellow sound and was called “the trombonists trombonist.” Green won the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences “Most Valuable Player” award on numerous occasions and some claim he is the most recorded musician of all time. He was born in Mobile, Alabama on this date in 1926.

Like many musicians profiled in this series, Urban Clifford “Urbie” Green began playing professionally at an early age. In this case Green was a member of Tommy Reynolds’ band at the age of 16 and went on to tour with Jan Savitt, Frankie Carle and Gene Krupa before joining Woody Herman’s Thundering Herd in 1950. In 1954 Green won the DownBeat Magazine International Critic’s Award for Best New Star. After appearing in the movie “The Benny Goodman Story,” Urbie fronted Goodman’s band for a three-month tour in 1956.
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Urbie Green recorded more than 30 albums as a leader but was one of the most prolific sidemen in jazz history. The list of artists with whom he played is long and includes Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Dizzy Gillespie, Coleman Hawkins, Quincy Jones, Aretha Franklin, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Antonio Carlos Jobim and Count Basie. In addition, Green was active on the jazz festival circuit and conducted many clinics for jazz musicians. Urbie Green passed away on December 31, 2018.

Here is a link to a live performance featuring Urbie Green from the JVC Jazz Festival:

"YOU'VE CHANGED"