Kid Thomas Valentine 1896

Photo Credits Syndey Byrd

tTrombettista statunitense (Reserve, Louisiana, 3.2.1896 – New Orleans, Louisiana, 16.6.1987). Figlio di un trombettista, Fernand valentine, forma la sua prima orchestra diciotto anni e suona nei club locali. Nel 1923, fa parte del gruppo del banjoista Elton Theodore, poi assume la direzione della formazione che diventa gli Algiers Stompers.

Leader dal 1926, svolge tutta la sua carriera a New Orleans e, spesso insieme a George Lewis, suona alla Preservation Hall dal 1960; partecipa, come solista, a parecchie tournée internazionali della Preservation Hall Band. Appare nel film documentario di Les Blank Always For Pleasure (1978).

Più stupefacente per la sua longevità e il suo humor che per la sua tecnica strumentale, suona in maniera sobria, soffiando le due o tre note-riferimento delle sequenze melodiche e moltiplicando gli effetti di growl. Resta l’idea, il tono, la traccia di un certo modo di vivere la musica. Jazz, tutto considerato.
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[P.C.]

American trumpeter (Reserve, Louisiana, 3.2.1896 - New Orleans, Louisiana, 16.6.1987). Son of a trumpeter, Fernand Valentine, forms his first orchestra at eighteen and plays in local clubs. In 1923, he was part of the banjoist Elton Theodore's group, then takes over the direction of the formation that becomes the Algiers Stompers.

A leader since 1926, he spent his entire career in New Orleans and, often with George Lewis, has been playing at Preservation Hall since 1960; he participates, as a soloist, in several international tours of the Preservation Hall Band. He appears in the Les Blank documentary film Always For Pleasure (1978).

More remarkable for his longevity and humor than his instrumental technique, he plays soberly, blowing the two or three reference notes of the melodic sequences and multiplying the growl effects. He remains the idea, the tone, the trace of a particular way of experiencing music. Jazz, all considered.
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[P.C.]