There's a fascinating—almost stunning—moment mid-way through Off-the-Cuff Trombone wherein the late Buddy Rich is accompanying and intently observing trombonist Rick Stepton as Stepton solos with ...

"Jazz Luck"—a phrase I pull out of the hat every so often that aptly describes those oddball and, in some cases, unfortunate events which practitioners of the art encounter in the business. It's a ...

LUNENBURG — Even if you don’t know Rick Stepton, you are familiar with his résumé. The Fitchburg native and career trombone player spent the longest stretch of time as a side man playing for Buddy ...