…a brief and polite biography

Trolsen, who studied with Phil Wilson at the prestigious Berklee College of Music, came to New Orleans as a member of the U. S. Navy Band. Shortly after leaving the service, he settled in the city and  soon became one of the “first calls” on trombone on the lively local music scene. Accordingly, the trombonist/composer  has worked with a variety of smaller groups playing jazz (both traditional and contemporary), avant garde music, brass band music and the blues, as well as in the ‘bone section of several first-rate big bands (such as the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra led by legendary trombonist Buddy Morrow and the local big band led by Al Belletto).  You name it.  If a local band had a need for  a solid trombonist, it was more than likely going to be Rick Trolsen they’d seek out.

            From 1991 to 1998 Rick led his own jazz-rock group, “Neslort” (Trolsen spelled backwards), which featured his own compositions.   The band recorded two Cds, Mother’s Call (1993) and Martian Circus Waltz  (1996). During that period he became a charter member of the popular neo-brass band, the New Orleans Nightcrawlers, which included some sidemen from his own band. He continues to play with the ’Crawlers, who have also recorded several of his compositions.  He was also a charter member in the four-trombone front line of Bonerama, a popular local group with which he continues to perform. 

            Rick’s most recent project--his “most adventuresome,” as he puts it--is Gringo do Choro, a CD that he recorded with a wonderful group of Brazilian musicians in Rio de Janeiro two and a half years ago.  He first visited Brazil in 2001 with the Nightcrawlers and immediately became hooked by the choro, a Brazilian music that was born in the 19th century and, like traditional jazz and ragtime, combined European harmonies with African rhythms. 

            That brings us to Trolsen’s present  project, the recording that you are about to listen to (if you read the liner notes first).  It reveals yet another dimension of his musical persona:  trombonist, composer, and now vocalist as well.  His vocals can be heard on six numbers here, at least two of which are intimately associated with Louis Armstrong.   You may ask, as so many have, was he trying to do an Armstrong impression?   Rick’s response:  “No, since I had no voice training that’s the way I can control my voice.  It’s where I feel comfortable.  I feel it’s where I should be.”  It certainly works well for these songs.

Tom Jacobsen

New Orleans Correspondent, The Mississippi Rag

                                                As a freelance trombonist Rick has enjoyed featured performances with all walks of the local music life, and has proved Rick to be versatile and at ease with contemporary and traditional jazz, blues, reggae, big bands, show music, avante garde, and club dates. Performances and/or recordings include The Broadway show “Chicago”, Dr.John, Clarence”Gatemouth” Brown, Earl King, Marva Wright, Allen Toussaint, Al Hirt, The Dukes of Dixieland, The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Henry Mancini, Rosemary Clooney, Black Top Records, Stan Musial, The Woody Herman Band, The Temptations, Al Grey, Barry Manilow, Bob Hope, Steve Allen, Aretha Franklin, Boz Scaggs, The Four Tops, Doc Severinsen, Johnny Cash, Harry Connick Jr., The CAC Jazz Orchestra, directed by Ellis Marsalis, Johnny Adams, Eddie Louiss, as well as many gigs he’d rather not mention.        

a hugely talented trombonist in any setting… Geraldine Wyckoff

Discography                                                                                       

As a Sideman:

Bobby Parker..........."Bent Out of Shape" .....Black Top Records BT-1086 1993

Earl King……”Hard River to Cross”…………… Black Top Records BT-1090 1993

Big Joe and the Dynaflows............"Layin' in the Alley" .....Black Top Records BT-1098 1994

Carol Fran & Clarence Holliman………”See There”……Black Top Records BT 1100 1994

Solomon Burke …….”Live at the House of Blues”…….Black Top Records BT-1108 1994

Barry Manilow…..”Singin’ with the Big Bands”………..Arista Records 18771 1994

Snooks Eaglin…….”Soul’s Edge”……..Black Top Records  BT 1112 1995 

Tommy Ridgley..........."Since The Blues Began" .........Black Top Records BT-1115 1995
Phillip Walker............."Working Girl Blues" ..........Black Top Records BT-1117 1995

Bobby Parker..........."Shine Me Up" .....Black Top Records BT-1119 1995

Robert Ward..........."Black Bottom" .....Black Top Records BT-1123 1995

Sonny Landreth....."South of I-10" .......Zoo/Volcano Records 31070 1995

The New Orleans C.A.C. Jazz Orchestra …."Mood Indigo" .......Rounder Records CD 2145 1997

Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown........"Gate Swings" .......Verve 314537617-2 1997
The New Orleans Nightcrawlers........."Funknicity" ..........Rounder Records CD 2154 1997
The Al Belletto Big Jazz Band........."Jazznochracy" ......Louisiana Red Hot Records 1101 1997

Guitar Shorty………”Roll Over, Baby”…… Black Top Records BT-1147 1998

Al Grey….”Echoes of New Orleans” …Progressive Records PCD-7108 1998

Tom McDermott ………”Louisianthology” ……..STR Digital 9803 1999

The New Orleans Nightcrawlers…”Live at the Old Point” ….Viper Records 2000

Bonerama…”Live at the Old Point”…2000

The Naked Orchestra…”Brief Repairs On The Gradually….”  Naked Orchestra Records 2000

The John Mahoney Big Band….”In From Somewhere”    Independent 2001

Naked On The Floor…..”Naked on the Floor” ….Valid Records VR-1010 2002

Woodenhead ……..”Perseverence”…….Free Electric Records 4003 2003

Tim Laughlin…”The Isle of Orleans”….Gentilly Records GR172 2003

Brasilliance!……..”Minha Joia”……Independent 2003

Dr. John……”N’Awlinz-Disdat or D’udda”……..EMI Records 7243 5 78602 2 2  2004

As a leader:

Neslort............"Mother's Call" ........Lort Records 001 1993

Neslort............."Martian Circus Waltz" ............Lort Records 002 1996

Rick Trolsen……”Gringo Do Choro”….Lort Records 0401 2004

Rick Trolsen……"New Orleans Lullaby"….Lort Records 0402 2006