RICK TROLSEN
Largely self-taught, Rick began playing trombone at the age of twelve. After studying with Phil Wilson at Berklee College of Music, he volunteered three years of duty with the U.S. Navy Band, stationed in New Orleans. Upon his “discharge” he quickly fell into good company, and was adopted as a regular 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 4 consecutive years at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, “Neslort” featured some of the finest musicians in town, and recorded 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 music of New Orleans. In 2006 & 2007, he released “New Orleans Lullaby” and “Sunrise on Bourbon Street.”
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 Bonerama, The Broadway show “Chicago”, Dr.John, Clarence”Gatemouth” Brown, Earl King, Marva Wright, Allen Toussaint, Al Hirt, The Dukes of Dixieland, The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Henry Mancini, Rosemary Clooney, Black Top Records, 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, Johnny Adams, Eddie Louiss, as well as many gigs he’d rather not mention.
Discography
As a Sideman:
Bobby Parker..........."Bent Out of Shape" .....Black Top Records BT-1086 1993
Earl King……”Hard River to Cross”…………… Black Top Records BT-1090 1993
Big Joe and the Dynaflows............"Layin' in the Alley" .....Black Top Records BT-1098 1994
Carol Fran & Clarence Holliman………”See There”……Black Top Records BT 1100 1994
Solomon Burke …….”Live at the House of Blues”…….Black Top Records BT-1108 1994
Barry Manilow…..”Singin’ with the Big Bands”………..Arista Records 18771 1994
Snooks Eaglin…….”Soul’s Edge”……..Black Top Records BT 1112 1995
Tommy Ridgley..........."Since The Blues Began" .........Black Top Records BT-1115 1995
Phillip Walker............."Working Girl Blues" ..........Black Top Records BT-1117 1995
Bobby Parker..........."Shine Me Up" .....Black Top Records BT-1119 1995
Robert Ward..........."Black Bottom" .....Black Top Records BT-1123 1995
Sonny Landreth....."South of I-10" .......Zoo/Volcano Records 31070 1995
The New Orleans C.A.C. Jazz Orchestra …."Mood Indigo" .......Rounder Records CD 2145 1997
Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown........"Gate Swings" .......Verve 314537617-2 1997
The New Orleans Nightcrawlers........."Funknicity" ..........Rounder Records CD 2154 1997
The Al Belletto Big Jazz Band........."Jazznochracy" ......Louisiana Red Hot Records 1101 1997
Guitar Shorty………”Roll Over, Baby”…… Black Top Records BT-1147 1998
Al Grey….”Echoes of New Orleans” …Progressive Records PCD-7108 1998
Tom McDermott ………”Louisianthology” ……..STR Digital 9803 1999
The New Orleans Nightcrawlers…”Live at the Old Point” ….Viper Records 2000
Bonerama…”Live at the Old Point”…2000
The Naked Orchestra…”Brief Repairs On The Gradually….” Naked Orchestra Records 2000
The John Mahoney Big Band….”In From Somewhere” Independent 2001
Naked On The Floor…..”Naked on the Floor” ….Valid Records VR-1010 2002
Woodenhead ……..”Perseverence”…….Free Electric Records 4003 2003
Tim Laughlin…”The Isle of Orleans”….Gentilly Records GR172 2003
Brasilliance!……..”Minha Joia”……Independent 2003
Dr. John……”N’Awlinz-Disdat or D’udda”……..EMI Records 7243 5 78602 2 2 2004
As a leader:
Neslort............"Mother's Call" ........Lort Records 001 1993
Neslort............."Martian Circus Waltz" ............Lort Records 002 1996
Rick Trolsen……”Gringo Do Choro”….Lort Records 0401 2004
Rick Trolsen……"New Orleans Lullaby"….Lort Records 0402 2006
Rick Trolsen...."Sunrise on Bourbon Street"
Lort Records 0403 2007