Representative Albums: "Kai Winding, Jay Jay Johnson and Bennie Green with Strings," "Lionel Hampton Presents Kai Winding," "Mondo Cane, No. 2"
Representative Songs: "More," "Blue Monk," "A Night on Bop Mountain"
Biography
One of the finest trombonists to emerge from the bebop era, Kai Winding was always to an extent overshadowed by J.J. Johnson, although they co-led one of the most popular jazz groups of the mid-'50s. Born in Denmark, Winding emigrated to the U.S. with his family when he was 12. He had short stints with the orchestras of Alvino Rey and Sonny Dunham, and played in a service band in the Coast Guard for three years. Winding's first burst of fame occurred during his year with Stan Kenton's Orchestra (1946-1947), during which his phrasing influenced and was adopted by the other trombonists, leading to a permanent change in the Kenton sound. He also participated in some early bop sessions, played with Tadd Dameron (1948-1949), and was on one of the Miles Davis' nonet's famous recording sessions. After playing with the big bands of Charlie Ventura and Benny Goodman, he formed a quintet with J.J. Johnson (1954-1956); the two trombonists (who sounded nearly identical at the time) had occasional reunions after going their separate ways. Winding led a four-trombone septet off and on through the latter half of the 1950s and into the '60s, was music director for the Playboy clubs in New York, and during 1971-1972 worked with the Giants of Jazz (an all-star group with Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Stitt, and Thelonious Monk). Although he recorded frequently both as a leader and a sideman throughout his career, most of Winding's sessions are not currently available on CD. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
After the war, Winding joined Benny Goodman's band, and later moved on to Stan Kenton's orchestra. Winding participated in the first of the Birth of the Cool sessions in 1949, appearing on 4 of the 12 tracks (while Johnson appears on the other eight, having participated on the other two sessions). In 1954, at the urging of producer Ozzie Cadena, he joined forces with Johnson to produce a highly successful series of trombone duet recordings, which were initially on Savoy Records and then on the Columbia Records label. While at Columbia, Kai experimented with different instrumentation in brass ensembles and also used a trombonium on at least one album that featured a trombone octet. Winding also arranged and/or composed many of the tracks he and Johnson recorded.
During the 1960s, Kai had a long stint at Verve Records and under producer Creed Taylor made some of his most memorable jazz-pop albums. His best known recording from this period is "More", the theme from the movie Mondo Cane. This hit was arranged and conducted by Claus Ogerman. The recording featured, what is probably the first American recording of the French electronic music instrument, the Ondioline, which was played on "More" by Frenchman Jean Jacques Perrey. Guitarist Vinnie Bell was also on the session, and remembers distinctly that Perrey was the player of the Ondioline, although Winding publicly took credit for it.
While at Verve, Kai further experimented with various ensembles, made solo albums, and even an album of country music with the Anita Kerr Singers. In the late 1960s, Kai followed Creed Taylor to his new recording label at A&M/CTI and made at least two more albums with Johnson.
In the 1970s and early 1980s, Kai recorded for a number of independent record labels. During this time, he continued to give clinics, play jazz concerts and even reunited with Johnson for a live concert in Japan. He also wrote instructional jazz trombone books that included transcribed solos.
Winding died of a brain tumor in New York City in 1983. He was survived at the time by his wife, accomplished painter, Eschwan Winding.
Discography
Albums with J. J. Johnson as co-leader
1954: Jay and Kai Savoy SV0163 (CD)
1954: An Afternoon at Birdland
1954: Jay and Kai Prestige
1955: 'Nuf Said Bethlehem 20-40062 (CD)
1955: Trombone for Two Columbia (LP); Collectables (CD)
1956: Jay and Kai + 6 Columbia (LP); Collectables (CD)
