Conrad Herwig

The trombone is not an every day solo-instrument compared to the trumpet, the sax and the piano. Conrad Herwig ranks among the select group of musicians who have embraced this instrument and propagate its further development in jazz. Since the trombone is never absent in horn sections, Herwig had a multitude of opportunities to hone his skills in various big bands, including those of Clark Terry, Buddy Rich and Mel Lewis. He performed with Slide Hampton’s World of Trombones and played with Mario Bauza’s Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra. In that orchestra his interest for Latin music grew. An interest that led to The Latin Side of John Coltrane and Another Kind of Blue: The Latin Side of Miles Davis. Albums that were both nominated for a Grammy. On his latest CD Sketches of Spain Y Mas he continues his search for the Latin roots of the jazz greats. Last year Herwig won the Paul Acket Award ‘Artist Deserving Wider Recognition’.Herwig has played wih Eddie Palmieri's band for years while he has made his Latin side of albums, and that is where he has built his experience with Latin jazz in recent years. He also made a Latin side of Wayne Shorter album. He has worked closely with Brian Lynch, trumpet player for Eddie Palmieri's band, in releasing individual projects. Herwig has most recently been playing with the Latin Side Band, and they released a CD in 2010, featuring the musicians, sometimes referred to as the Latin Side All Star Band, who played on the previously mentioned albums.