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Carl Fontana

Carl Fontana is a trombonist's trombonist. A veteran of the big bands led by Woody Herman, Stan Kenton, Louis Bellson, and Lionel Hampton, Fontana is best known for his work as a jazz soloist. Among jazz Musicians, he is considered the most important jazz trombonist since J.J. Johnson. In addition to being the featured soloist in the aforementioned big bands, he has been an outstanding member of the Kai Winding Septet, Supersax, and The World's Greatest Jazz Band. Known for his incredible facility and lyrical style, Fontana has wowed audiences around the world. 

Carl Fontana was born in Monroe, Louisiana, on July 18, 1929. He has toured Africa for the U.S. State Department and has also toured Japan. His inimitable solo style has been recorded on numerous albums with the above-mentioned groups as well as on solo CD's on the Concord and Uptown Jazz labels. He is a regular invitee to jazz festivals around the world, including the Ravinia Festival and the Dick Gibson Jazz Party, the granddaddy of jazz parties. This past summer he performed at festivals in Minnesota and Alaska and has toured the country as soloist with the Frank Sinatra Jr. Band.

In addition to his regular performing schedule, Fontana continues to serve as a clinician and master-class teacher at universities throughout the US He has appeared at such diverse institutions as Harvard University and Mississippi State College, and was a featured soloist with the Army Blues Jazz Band.