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James Borowski

James Borowski is one of the newest and most exciting bass trombonists on the New York music scene.

One of only a handful of bass trombonists worldwide who improvise jazz, James's innovative musical ability is redefining the instrument and its role. His sound, technique and energy have served to open the public's eyes to the bass trombone as not only an ensemble stalwart, but as a solo instrument as well.

A big band specialist as well, James has taken the stage with premier acts including Michael Feinstein, Frank Sinatra, Jr. and Johnny Mathis. James has also played with the orchestras of Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, Nelson Riddle, and Gene Krupa and toured for several years with the World-Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra.

Borowski’s experience is not solely limited to big band work. As a student of classical bass trombone, he spent eight years as the principal bass trombonist in the Princeton Brass Band. James’s talents have also brought him into pit orchestras on Broadway as well as to the stage with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra.

James is also a scholar of the bass trombone, holding a Doctorate from the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University and has studied music education at Youngstown State University as well. As a clinician, Dr. Borowski's presentations benefit from his wealth of experience as a performer combined with his knowledge of education and musical development.

As a composer, he is finding new way to use the bass trombone and bringing these new ideas to the forefront of music. Through composition and arranging, James is bringing his unique conception of the instrument to the ears of the public. His repertoire includes solo pieces for bass trombone, big band arrangements (some of which are in the Birdland Big Band's library!) and small jazz ensemble compositions, these last being the launching point for a recording project in the near future.

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Album Review

Joe McCarthy's New York Afro Bop Alliance Big Band: The Pan American Nutcracker Suite

Read "The Pan American Nutcracker Suite" reviewed by Jack Bowers


Yes, Peter Tchaikovsky's timeless Nutcracker Suite is basically holiday music; and, yes, the 2022 holiday season is squarely in everyone's rear-view mirror. Even so, there is always room for a fresh approach to the annual festive staple, which is what drummer Joe McCarthy's New York Afro Bop Alliance Big Band brings to The Pan American Nutcracker Suite. The Nutcracker has been rhythmically amended before, but never quite like this, as McCarthy and the band use the strong ...

9
Album Review

Joe McCarthy's Afro Bop Alliance Big Band: The Pan American Nutcracker Suite

Read "The Pan American Nutcracker Suite" reviewed by Richard J Salvucci


"The Nutcracker" is a holiday staple and, as many musical and dance companies around the United States and Europe will tell you, thank Heaven for it. The musicians and performers may eventually lose their sanity from repeat performances, but the ballet is a money-maker as sure as holiday sales generate commercial profits for retailers. Besides, someone is inevitably hearing it for the first time, and children—even some adults—seem to enjoy it. This year, the season starts early with ...

3
Album Review

The Seth Weaver Big Band: Truth

Read "Truth" reviewed by Jack Bowers


Truth, the debut album by New York-based trombonist / vocalist Seth Weaver, has its ups and downs, most of which involve the leader himself. The “ups" enter the picture thanks to Weaver's five far-better-than-average compositions, the “downs" whenever he chooses to sing, as he does on three of eight numbers. Luckily, the pluses far outweigh the minuses, thanks in large measure to Weaver's admirable ensemble, a number of first-rate soloists and the above-mentioned compositions, which herald Weaver as a talented ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

The Pan American...

Angel Face Records
2022

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Truth

Outside in Music
2020

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