It’s no surprise that George Bohanon was awarded the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences “Most Valuable Player” award in 1980. His brilliant approach to trombone playing results in a lyrical quality with high tone color and dynamic. His growth as a jazz musician has seen him join the ranks of Yusef Lateef and Barry Harris, among others. In the 1960s, he was also part of the Chico Hamilton Quintet along with Charles Lloyd and Gabor Zabo. Bohanon was born in Detroit Michigan. He began playing trombone when he was eight years old. He attended Northwestern High School and Wayne State University. The Detroit Institute of Musical Arts was where he made the decision to become a musician. His greatest influences were Miles Davis and Charlie Parker. John Coltrane was also a major influence. Motown Records hired Bohanon to be their first trombonist. He held that position for seven years and accompanied artists like Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye (Smokey Robinson), Stevie Wonder, among others. Bohanon, who moved to Los Angeles in 1968, became active in jazz and recording studios. Bohanon is a UCLA Jazz Studies Program instructor, as well as a music contractor. He is a signatory of the American Federation of Musicians and a music publisher. from www.georgebohanon.com
