THURMAN A. GREEN II

This page is updated: May 18, 2025 11:38 AM


Thurman A. Green II, Trombonist & Composer, USA

THURMAN GREEN, the internationally-known trombonist, began his professional career as a United States Navy Musician (1961-1965). His style, as described by Jazz columnist Zan Stewart .. “is deeply influenced by the intricate be-bop manner espoused by J.J.Johnson.... Green has a buttery tone and a keen sense for the ideal note choice.” In his more that thirty-year career he has done sound recordings, theatrical and television sound tracks, live television, among others performed with: Gerald Wilson, Harold Land, Teddy Edwards, Horace Tapscott, Buster Cooper. Sonny Criss, Arthur Blythe, Hamiet Bluiett, John Carter, Mercer Ellington and the Ellington Orchestra, Louie Bellson's Big Band Explosion, Bill Berry-L.A.Bang, Capp/Pierce Juggernaut and The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra

Green appeared in many Jazz Festivals around the world that include: the Monterey Jazz Festival (6); Frankfurt (Germany); North Sea Festival; Chicago; Playboy (7); du Maurier Ltd. (Vancover, B.C.); Verona (Italy); Jazz A Vienne (France); Concord; Berlin; Fujitsu Concord (Japan); Moers (Germany); and the Olympics (LosAngeles-1984).

Green a masterful composer was awarded [USA] National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Fellowship Grant for Composition in 1981.Green completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music at California State University at Dominguiez Hills. Green graduated from California State University at Los Angeles in 1986 with a Master of Arts degree in Composition.

Green’s compositions ranged in style from Jazz to Classical. His Masters thesis composition was a complete symphonic work, performed by a classical symphonic orchestra. Many of Green’s compositions have been recorded. A partial list of Green’s recorded compositions include:Cross current (ASCAP); One for Lately (ASCAP); Dance of the Night Creatures (ASCAP)
and Chant (BMI).

Greens discography is extensive. Recordings include:Thurman Green Dance of the Night Creatures [1999](Mapleshade Records - Buster Cooper/ Thurman Green E-bone-ix (Chartmaker Records); Green-Cross Current (B.J. Records) – HoraceTapscott Octet Live (Americana) - Al Aarons and the Jazz Caravan (LAJTS) - Teddy Edwards Blue Saxophone (Gitanes-Polygram) - Phil Ranelin A Close Encounter of the Very Best Kind (Life Force)-Miles Davis and Michel Le Grand Dingo (Warner Brothers) -The Gerald Wilson Orchestra [- Grammy Nominated Jenna (Discovery); Califia (frend); Jessica (Trend); Lomelin (Discovery); Eternal Equinox (World Pacific); California Soul (World Pacific); Everywhere (World Pacific); Live and Swinging (World Pacific) - The Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra [Absolutely (Lake Street); Heart and Soul (Capri); Groove Shop (Capri)]; - Louie Bellson Their Time was the Greatest (Concord) - The Frank Capp Juggernaut In a Hefty Bag (Concord) - Willie Bobo [Hell of an Act to Follow (Columbia); Tomorrow is Here(Blue Note)]; - Bobby Hutcherson Inner Glow (Blue Note) - Benny Golson California Message (Bay State); Doug Carne Adam's Apple (Black Jazz) - Charles Owens I Stand Alone (Vault)

As band leader, Green recorded the widely acclaimed album "Dance of the Night Creatures" {MapleShade Records}. Band members include pianist, John Hicks; bassists Walter Booker and Steve Novosel; baritone saxophonist, Hamiet Bluiett. Bluiett was the producer for the album [Dance of the Night Creatures].. See Album reviews at mapleshade records.com. Rereleases of Green’s albums (Crosscurrent and Dance of the Night Creatures) are upcoming.

ZENI MUSIC & LA JAZZ SOCIETY

The Phil Ranelin Jazz Ensemble performed along with others at Catalina’s Bar and Grill in Hollywood to raise funds for The Thurman Green Scholarship Jazz Brunch

On Sunday, August 5th at Noon, Catalina’s Bar and Grill was the venue for this year’s Thurman Green Scholarship Jazz Brunch. The scholarship was established in memory of THURMAN GREEN, Sr. an internationally acclaimed trombonist and composer who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from California State University-Dominguez Hills and a Master of Arts degree in Composition from California State University-Los Angeles. He began his early professional career as a United States Navy Musician (1961-1965) and developed an impressive track record as a trombonist on sound recordings, theatrical and television sound tracks, live television and national and international concert stages and festivals. He performed with such Jazz notables as Gerald Wilson, Harold Land, Teddy Edwards, Horace Tapscott, Buster Cooper, Sonny Criss, Arthur Blythe, Hamiet Bluiett, John Carter, Mercer Ellington and the Ellington Orchestra, Louie Bellson's Big Band Explosion, Bill Berry-L.A.Bang, The Capp/Pierce Juggernaut Band and The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra to name a few. In 1981 Thurman Green was awarded the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Fellowship for Composition and he performed in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Green’s discography is extensive and includes recordings with Louie Bellson, Willie Bobo, The Frank Capp Juggernaut Band, Doug Carne, The Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Miles Davis and Michel Le Grand, Teddy Edwards, Benny Golson, Bobby Hutcherson, Charles Owens, Phil Ranelin’s five-trombone album, A CLOSE ENCOUNTER OF THE VERY BEST KIND, HoraceTapscott and The Gerald Wilson Orchestra. As a leader, Thurman Green recorded two albums: CROSSCURRENT and Dance of the Night Creatures. His band members on the latter included pianist John Hicks, bassists Walter Booker and Steve Novosel, and baritone saxophonist, Hamiet Bluiett (who produced the album for his Navy buddy and long-time friend). Green was very proud to co-lead a third album, E-BONE-IX, with fellow `bone master’ Buster Cooper. The purpose of the annual concert is to raise money for young musicians who are seriously studying the trombone. Past recipients of the Thurman Green Memorial Scholarship include trombone phenomenon Isaac Smith and highly in demand, Ryan Porter, to name just a couple.