Alan Raph

Alan Raph (July 3, 1933 – December 8, 2023) was an American bass trombonist, composer, arranger, and conductor who founded and conducted the Danbury Brass Band. He recorded with many well-known musicians including Quincy Jones, Philip Glass, Peter Nero, John Pizzarelli and Bob Brookmeyer for television, movies, and ballet. He was for many years on first call with most New York City recording studios.

Background Alan Raph was born in New York City to Marion McGuire and Ted Raph. His maternal grandparents were Irish. His grandfather Mathew A. McGuire was born in Ballyhaunis, Mayo, Ireland. His paternal grandparents were born in Russia and emigrated to the United States in 1893. His paternal grandfather Nachman Raffiewitz (anglicized as Nathan Raph) was Jewish, from near Nezhin, Ukraine, Russia. His father Ted was a jazz trombonist in the 1920s and 1930s. Raph married Theresa Capp on October 5, 1957. and had two children. In 1978 he married musician Mary Ann O'Connor and had a child.

Raph died in a traffic incident on December 8, 2023, at the age of 90.

Professional career Raph was a professor at the Teachers College of Columbia University in New York City, as well as instructor and associate professor at Queens College of the City University of New York. He performed under the direction of Leopold Stokowski with the Gerry Mulligan Concert Jazz Band and the Chamber Brass Players. As a freelance trombonist, Raph recorded albums with artists including Quincy Jones, Don Sebesky, Philip Glass, the NBC Opera Company, Eugene Ormandy, Paul Whiteman and his Palais Royale Orchestra, the Ballet Bolshoi Theatre, Diana Ross, Lena Horne and Mel Torme. He toured with Frankie Avalon to Bermuda. The band has performed abroad in Australia, Bermuda, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.

Raph composed for the Joffrey Ballet Company. He also arranged several songs for the Broadway musical Rockabye Hamlet (1976). He was a member of ASCAP.

Raph was known for his low range playing. He was awarded the Most Valuable Player award by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

Compositions

Works for wind band Variations on a Theme by Handel, for trombone and band Fantasy on a Theme by Purcell, for flute and band

Ballets Trinity, premiered in 1970 by the Joffrey Ballet Company Sacred Grove on Mt. Tamalpais, premiered in 1971 by the Joffrey Ballet Company

Chamber music Burlesque, for trombone ensemble (ca. 1956, per the composer)

Pedagogical works Bel Canto Vocalises for Bass Trombone Beyond Boundaries Diversified Trombone Etudes Arban Trombone Melodious Etudes Recital Pieces for Unaccompanied Trombone The Double Valve Bass Trombone Trombonisms

Media Alan Raph: trombone tips - warmups Alan Raph: trombone tips - high notes Alan Raph: trombone tips - Bumble Bee Alan Raph: trombone tips - very low notes Alan Raph: trombone tips - The Bartok glissando Alan Raph: trombone tips - staccato & legato Alan Raph: trombone tips - double (& triple) tonguing Alan Raph: trombone tips - Reading jazz notation

Publications Dance Band Reading and Interpretation, Alfred Music Publishers, 2002. 44 p., "Le" Trombone, AR Publishing Co., 1983. Trombonisms, Carl Fischer, Inc., 1983. "Les" Brass, AR Publishing Co., 1984. "L" Orchestra, AR Publishing Co., 1986.

Discography With J. J. Johnson Goodies (RCA Victor, 1965) With Lee Konitz Chicago 'n All That Jazz (Groove Merchant, 1975) With Gerry Mulligan Walk on the Water (DRG, 1980) The Concert Jazz Band With Jerome Richardson Groove Merchant (Verve, 1968)