Kai Winding

Emerging among the leading trombonists of the bebop period, Kai Winding remained somewhat eclipsed by J.J. Johnson, even though the pair jointly headed one of the era’s most acclaimed jazz ensembles in the mid-1950s. Winding entered the world in Denmark and moved with his family to the United States at age twelve. Early professional experience included brief engagements with the orchestras of Alvino Rey and Sonny Dunham, followed by three years performing in a Coast Guard service band. His initial wave of recognition came during a 1946–1947 tenure with Stan Kenton’s Orchestra, where his distinctive phrasing was quickly absorbed by fellow trombonists and produced a lasting shift in the band’s overall sound. Additional early credits encompassed participation in pioneering bop dates, a stint alongside Tadd Dameron from 1948 to 1949, and appearance on one of the celebrated nonet recordings by Miles Davis. Subsequent big-band work with Charlie Ventura and Benny Goodman preceded the formation of a quintet with J.J. Johnson that lasted from 1954 to 1956; although the two trombonists’ styles were nearly indistinguishable at the time, they reunited sporadically once their separate paths diverged. Winding continued to direct a four-trombone septet at intervals through the late 1950s and into the following decade, served as music director for New York’s Playboy clubs, and joined the all-star Giants of Jazz from 1971 to 1972 alongside Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Stitt, and Thelonious Monk. Despite maintaining a steady output both as leader and sideman across his career, the majority of Winding’s recordings remain unavailable on compact disc.