A Time For Love | Exquisite Trombone Solo
Description: "A Time for Love" was written by composer Johnny Mandel and lyricist Paul Francis Webster for the 1966 film "An American Dream," earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Song. The composition marked another collaboration between the Academy Award-winning team, following their success with "The Shadow of Your Smile" from "The Sandpiper" the previous year.
Mandel, who began his career as a skilled trombone player and jazz arranger working with orchestras like Woody Herman's, brought his sophisticated harmonic sensibilities to this romantic ballad. The song's elegant melody and rich harmonic progressions quickly transcended its film origins, becoming a beloved jazz standard recorded by artists including Shirley Horn, Bill Evans, Stan Getz, and Tony Bennett.
Samy Nestico's masterful big band arrangement has become the definitive orchestral treatment of the piece. His arrangement features a demanding trombone solo (originally written for Bill Watrous) that reaches high B-flat and requires a strong performer, showcasing Nestico's trademark ability to balance technical virtuosity with emotional depth. The arrangement exemplifies his sophisticated approach to big band writing, with elegant voice leading, subtle dynamic contrasts, and thoughtful use of orchestral colors that allow the song's inherent romanticism to shine while providing a rich harmonic foundation.
This collaboration between Mandel's compositional genius and Nestico's arranging mastery has created an enduring piece that continues to captivate both performers and audiences in the jazz world.
This is an amazing Ljubljana Academy of Music Big Band rendition.
BIG BAND:
Trumpets: Andrej Štrekelj, Rok Krajnc, Gašper Selko, Tilen Slakan, Aljoša Jurkošek, David Čonč
Saxophone: Matija Marion, Štefan Starc, Joanna Blejwas, Domen Koren, Ivan Trajanoski
Trombones: Matjaž Kafol, Matija Mlakar, Matic Kovač, Tine Plahutnik
Rhythm: Blaž Avsenik, Janez Krevel, Jošt Lampret, Tobija Hudnik, Matic Črešnik, Črtomir Pšeničnik, Vid Ušeničnik
Conductor and leader: Matej Hotko
Matej Hotko is a renowned Slovenian jazz double bassist, educator, and founder of B.A.S.E. Music School, Slovenia's largest private music institution. He graduated from the prestigious Manhattan School of Music in New York, where he studied under world-class mentors including Nancy Marano, Mike Abene, and Chris Rosenberg. Before establishing his own school in 2006 at age 26, Hotko performed with notable groups including The Fool Cool Jazz Orchestra, Laibach, and LeeLooJamais, as well as the RTV Slovenia Big Band. He has received the highest artistic recognition from the University of Ljubljana for his outstanding contributions to music.
Currently, Hotko serves as a professor at the Academy of Music in Ljubljana and conducts two jazz orchestras while continuing his work as a studio musician and producer. Over two decades of teaching, he has trained more than 400 bassists and bass guitarists. His B.A.S.E. Music School operates in multiple locations across Slovenia, offering innovative teaching methods that combine traditional instruction with modern technology. Hotko's pedagogical approach focuses on individualized learning that accommodates all musical genres and skill levels. He continues to be active as a performer, appearing at prestigious festivals throughout Slovenia and Europe. His work has significantly elevated the standards of jazz education in Slovenia and established him as one of the country's most respected bass players and music educators.
Production crew: PPZ production film crew:
Marjan Cerar
Aljaž Lavtižar
Jerneja Rotar
Gal Nagode
Juš Hrastnik
Grega Jeraša
Will Tomford
Primož Zevnik
Color grade: Juš Hrastnik
Sound: Sara Ritonija
Master: Danilo Ženko and Iztok Zupan (Klopotec sound)
Light: Grega Jeraša
Director and Editorial: Primož Zevnik
Producers: Jaka Pucihar, Matej Hotko, Primož Zevnik
Recorded in Slamič Jazz Club Ljubljana : 2017 Close description
Mandel, who began his career as a skilled trombone player and jazz arranger working with orchestras like Woody Herman's, brought his sophisticated harmonic sensibilities to this romantic ballad. The song's elegant melody and rich harmonic progressions quickly transcended its film origins, becoming a beloved jazz standard recorded by artists including Shirley Horn, Bill Evans, Stan Getz, and Tony Bennett.
Samy Nestico's masterful big band arrangement has become the definitive orchestral treatment of the piece. His arrangement features a demanding trombone solo (originally written for Bill Watrous) that reaches high B-flat and requires a strong performer, showcasing Nestico's trademark ability to balance technical virtuosity with emotional depth. The arrangement exemplifies his sophisticated approach to big band writing, with elegant voice leading, subtle dynamic contrasts, and thoughtful use of orchestral colors that allow the song's inherent romanticism to shine while providing a rich harmonic foundation.
This collaboration between Mandel's compositional genius and Nestico's arranging mastery has created an enduring piece that continues to captivate both performers and audiences in the jazz world.
This is an amazing Ljubljana Academy of Music Big Band rendition.
BIG BAND:
Trumpets: Andrej Štrekelj, Rok Krajnc, Gašper Selko, Tilen Slakan, Aljoša Jurkošek, David Čonč
Saxophone: Matija Marion, Štefan Starc, Joanna Blejwas, Domen Koren, Ivan Trajanoski
Trombones: Matjaž Kafol, Matija Mlakar, Matic Kovač, Tine Plahutnik
Rhythm: Blaž Avsenik, Janez Krevel, Jošt Lampret, Tobija Hudnik, Matic Črešnik, Črtomir Pšeničnik, Vid Ušeničnik
Conductor and leader: Matej Hotko
Matej Hotko is a renowned Slovenian jazz double bassist, educator, and founder of B.A.S.E. Music School, Slovenia's largest private music institution. He graduated from the prestigious Manhattan School of Music in New York, where he studied under world-class mentors including Nancy Marano, Mike Abene, and Chris Rosenberg. Before establishing his own school in 2006 at age 26, Hotko performed with notable groups including The Fool Cool Jazz Orchestra, Laibach, and LeeLooJamais, as well as the RTV Slovenia Big Band. He has received the highest artistic recognition from the University of Ljubljana for his outstanding contributions to music.
Currently, Hotko serves as a professor at the Academy of Music in Ljubljana and conducts two jazz orchestras while continuing his work as a studio musician and producer. Over two decades of teaching, he has trained more than 400 bassists and bass guitarists. His B.A.S.E. Music School operates in multiple locations across Slovenia, offering innovative teaching methods that combine traditional instruction with modern technology. Hotko's pedagogical approach focuses on individualized learning that accommodates all musical genres and skill levels. He continues to be active as a performer, appearing at prestigious festivals throughout Slovenia and Europe. His work has significantly elevated the standards of jazz education in Slovenia and established him as one of the country's most respected bass players and music educators.
Production crew: PPZ production film crew:
Marjan Cerar
Aljaž Lavtižar
Jerneja Rotar
Gal Nagode
Juš Hrastnik
Grega Jeraša
Will Tomford
Primož Zevnik
Color grade: Juš Hrastnik
Sound: Sara Ritonija
Master: Danilo Ženko and Iztok Zupan (Klopotec sound)
Light: Grega Jeraša
Director and Editorial: Primož Zevnik
Producers: Jaka Pucihar, Matej Hotko, Primož Zevnik
Recorded in Slamič Jazz Club Ljubljana : 2017 Close description
