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About Rob McConnell

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Musician

Rob McConnell (valve trombonist, arranger, composer, big band leader) was born on February 14, 1935 in London, Ontario, and passed away on May 1, 2010 in Toronto, Ontario at the age of 75 McConnell took up the valve trombone in high school and began his performing career in the early 50’s, performing with saxophonist Don Thompson in Edmonton, Bobby Gimby and fellow Canadian Maynard Ferguson.He also studied arranging and composition with Gordon Delamont. In 1968, Rob formed the Boss Brass, a big band that would become his primary performing and recording unit through the 1970’s and 80’s. A unique musical voice, cutting wit and meticulous leadership on the bandstand were just a few of McConnell’s trademarks.He was consummate professional, a perfectionist and difficult task master- an arranger of the highest order and one hell of a trombone player

Article: Rising Stars

Introducing the New Jersey All-State Jazz Ensemble and Choir

by Sanford Josephson
November 7, 2026

"Ordinary People," a ballad about an up-and-down romance, was released as the second single on John Legend's 2004 inaugural album, Get Lifted (Columbia). It became his signature song. On Friday evening, November 13, the New Jersey High School All-State Jazz Ensemble and Choir will perform Michael Philip Mossman's arrangement of it at the New Jersey Performing ...

Article: Album Review

Bernie Senensky: Duos

by Pierre Giroux
April 22, 2026

Duos by Bernie Senensky is a record built on patience, craftsmanship, and the quiet confidence of musicians working together. It is a carefully arranged and well-executed set that highlights one of Canada's most respected pianists performing in a duo, accompanied only by a saxophone voice from a select group of notable North American saxophonists, where any ...

Article: Album Review

Vancouver Jazz Orchestra: Meets Brian Charette

Read "Meets Brian Charette" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
January 17, 2026

Through the years, Canada has produced an impressive number of world-renowned big bands including Rob McConnell's peerless Boss Brass, the Toronto and Winnipeg Jazz Orchestras, those led by trombonist Dave McMurdo, pianist Jill Townsend and trumpeter Steve McDade, and one of the world's foremost undergraduate bands, Montreal's McGill University Jazz Ensemble. On its debut recording, Meets ...

Article: Album Review

Neil Swainson Sextet: Here for a While

Read "Here for a While" reviewed by Pierre Giroux

by Pierre Giroux
September 9, 2024

Neil Swainson's Here For A While is a tutorial in modern jazz composition and ensemble synergy. Swainson, a bassist of profound depth and melodic sensibility, has gathered a formidable sextet for this project, including Brad Turner on trumpet and flugelhorn, Kelly Jefferson on tenor andsoprano saxophones, Steve Davis on trombone, Renee Rosnes on piano and Quincy ...

Article: Opinion

Can You Judge an Album By Its Label?

by Dave Hughes
March 3, 1999

This article was first published at All About Jazz in March 1999. For almost as long as there have been record labels, many labels have sought to build a reputation or a brand identity for themselves in terms of the genre of music presented on their labels or the technical quality of their product. ...

Album

Old Friends / New Music

By Rob McConnell

Label: Cornerstone Records Inc.
Released: 2023
Track listing: Ray's Idea; There's Been Too Many Changes; Pannonica; Greenhouse; Friends Again; All The Best; Simple Samba; Countless Blues.

Article: Album Review

Don Thompson & Rob Piltch: Bells... Now and Then

Read "Bells... Now and Then" reviewed by Pierre Giroux

by Pierre Giroux
December 30, 2023

Multi-instrumentalist Don Thompson and guitarist Rob Piltch are two Canadian musicians who, in 1981 and 1982, recorded an album entitled Bells for the Umbrella label. The material has been remastered and reissued as Bells...Now and Then, bookended by two new recordings of compositions by Thompson. Don Thompson has been a highly-regarded part ...

Article: Radio & Podcasts

Max Roach, Carl Saunders & Dave Mancini

by Joe Dimino
December 17, 2023

We begin the 833rd Episode of Neon Jazz with rhythm master Dave Mancini. From there, we hear from one of his past collaborators in Rosemary Clooney. We get into a host of tasty tracks from pianists John Herberman, Michael Weiss and George Colligan. We also feature the dynamic Atlanta duo The Moore McColl Jazz Society. Finally, ...

Article: Album Review

Angela DeNiro: Swingin' with Legends 2

Read "Swingin' with Legends 2" reviewed by Pierre Giroux

by Pierre Giroux
December 10, 2023

Vocalist Angela DeNiro sings with blue-ribbon vocal abilities. This is evident in her release Swingin' With Legends 2 . Accompanied by the Ron Aprea Big Band, supplemented by special guests Randy Brecker, Ken Peplowski and Lew Tabackin, she sails through fourteen love songs written by some of the greatest composers of the American Songbook, providing a ...