2Slick at the Lawrence Library in Pepperell, MA

The two-trombone front line isn’t a new idea. Jazz trombone greats J.J. Johnson and Kai Winding recorded several albums as a trombone duo in the 50’s and 60’s. But the concept has seen little use since then until Branco and Piermarini decided to revive it several years ago. The two have been musical colleagues and good friends for 35 years. Together, they’ve worked in trombone sections for trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, the Nelson Riddle

Orchestra, the Harry James Orchestra, and singers Jerry Vale and Rita Moreno. When it comes to matching sound and style, these two have it down. “Even non-musicians have commented to us on how well-matched we are,” Piermarini said recently. “After playing together for so long, you begin to form a unified concept.”