Carl Fontana

Carl Fontana, an exceptionally skilled trombonist who dedicated much of the previous four decades to commercial work in Las Vegas, surfaces now and then to display his formidable technical command. As the son of a saxophonist, he first performed in his father’s ensemble from 1941 to 1945, yet widespread notice arrived only after he joined Woody Herman’s Orchestra in 1952–1953. Subsequent engagements took him through the big bands of Lionel Hampton in 1954, Hal McIntyre in 1954–1955, and, most significantly, Stan Kenton in 1955–1956, where he was prominently featured. After a period with Kai Winding’s four-trombone group from 1956 to 1957, Fontana settled in Las Vegas yet continued to appear selectively, touring once more with Woody Herman in 1966, recording with Supersax in 1973, co-leading a band with Jake Hanna in 1975, performing with the World’s Greatest Jazz Band, and participating in jazz parties. He cut a strong album with Bobby Shew in 1995. Two years later he collaborated with trombone veteran Jiggs Whigham on the bop session Nice ’n’ Easy. The same duo returned in 1999 for Keepin’ Up With the Boneses. Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2000, Fontana ceased recording and died on October 10, 2003, at age 75.