RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:
And this morning, we're remembering an influential name in jazz. Bob Brookmeyer began his career in the 1950s. From the beginning, he was credited with a highly distinctive personal style, first as an improviser, then as composer and arranger for big-band jazz. His primary instrument is one that's rarely heard, the valve trombone. Instead of a slide, it's played with valves like a trumpet.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC, "MOONLIGHT IN VERMONT")
MONTAGNE: Bob Brookmeyer was just 11 when his father took him to see the Count Basie Orchestra. He once recalled he thought at the time, I just have to do this.
Bob Brookmeyer died in New Hampshire late last Thursday, a few days before his 82nd birthday.
This is MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm Renee Montagne.
LINDA WERTHEIMER, HOST:
And I'm Linda Wertheimer. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.