“Trombone Ecstasy”
Bonegasm
/bōnˌɡazəm/
noun
a climax of musical excitement, characterized by feelings of pleasure centered in the ears and experienced as an accompaniment to hearing a group of trombone players.
It is our mission to bring peace, love, and trombone to the unsuspecting masses.
In the jazz world, trombone tends to be treated as an afterthought. If a small group has a trombone in it, it’s likely because the bandleader is the trombonist. Bass trombonist Jennifer Wharton wondered what might happen if composers and audiences alike encountered music that featured the beauty of the instrument.
Meet our Leader
JENNIFER WHARTON is a low brass specialist based in New York City. Though getting her start classically, Jen has deep roots in jazz, commercial, chamber and Broadway music.
Jennifer leads the trombone-forward ensemble, Bonegasm, commissioning works from jazz heavyweights and newcomers. She was awarded a 2020 grant by the NYC Women’s Fund for Media, Music and Theater to continue to bring trombone music to the masses. The result was Bonegasm’s sophomore album, Not A Novelty (2021), a follow up to their debut Bonegasm (2019). Downbeat Magazine called the most recent album “Trombone Ecstasy”.
Upcoming Events
Bonegasm captivates audiences at top-tier jazz festivals, leading educational institutions, and New York City’s most celebrated jazz clubs. The ensemble’s dynamic performances blend artistry and innovation, affirming its stature as a vital force in contemporary jazz.
Residencies
Students experience an in-depth look inside what it means to be a musician in the world today. From freelancing, to Broadway, to composing, to collaborating and everything in between, Bonegasm gives a rare opportunity for your students to see behind “the curtain”.
Shop The Collection
Nice words from cool places…
Press
“Trombone ecstacy.”
“Wharton’s effervescent album captivates as it ranges between the intimate and the orchestral with plenty of whimsy.”
“Uniformly stellar.”
“The brass shines...”
“Multiple flavors and clever arrangements.”
4 stars – “Stirring, fresh, and emphatic, Grit & Grace makes a statement worth hearing.”
4 1/2 stars – “From afar, this album may seem like nothing more than a novelty project, but the music successfully argues against that thinking. Jennifer Wharton’s Bonegasm blows the doors wide open for the bass trombone. The horn itself may play from the bottom, but it can certainly operate at the top of the heap.”
