Europe’s main trombone festival last year is featured in a series of video clips, recently released on YouTube. Slide Factory took place last May in Rotterdam and the these official video clips feature live performances from the likes of Mark Nightingale, Michel Becquet, New Trombone Collective, Les Sacqueboutiers de Toulouse and Jiggs Whigham. To watch on-line, go to this YouTube page.

Next year’s Slide Factory is looking particularly exciting with artists already booked include Joe Alessi, Christian Lindberg, Michel Becquet and Jörgen van Rijen.

Jazz trombonists up to the age of 30 are invited to compete in Finland at the 2nd International “Antti Rissanen” Jazz Trombone Competition. The competition was last held three years ago and was won by Andy Hunter from New York.

The talented winner will receive €2000, plus a new Miraphone trombone. The first round is judged by sending a recording, which needs to be under 12 minutes and include Stella by Starlight, to be received by 28th May 2008. The final is 8-9 August in Kotka, Finland. For full details, contact Antti Rissanen at a.r@saunalahti.fi

Come to a Devon venue to hear BTS member Bob Martin play some jazz.

Jazz at the Anchor
Thursday 15th May 2008, 8.30pm-11pm
Fore St Sidmouth, Devon
01395 514129
FREE admission

Featuring:
▪ Bob Martin trombone
▪ James Clemas keyboard / vocal
▪ Mike Thorn bass

Jazz to the Left and Right of Mainstream

The Summer Issue of The Trombonist is out today, packed with the latest news, articles and reviews. BTS members will all receive their copy in the next few days and can read about a range of hot topics, including:

• News of this Saturday’s Don Lusher / Brass Band BTS Day in Leicester
• Denis Wick’s delight in unearthing some Victorian mouthpieces
• The twists and turns of Bill Geldard’s career as told by Sheila Tracy
• Lindsay Shilling picks out his favourite discs
• Interview with David Whitehouse, with his latest move to the Philharmonia
• Full review and special offer on Chris Houlding’s new CD

Please note that unfortunately Mark Nightingale’s concert in Milton Keynes on 15th June has just been cancelled due to a double booking at the venue.

The Trombonist is published three times a year. Subscription is included in BTS membership, which costs £22 per year for those in Britain, with substantial reductions for students and under-16s. Full details and the opportunity to sign-up on-line are on the membership page.