Heaven's Big Band

OK, before I go any further, I got this idea just daydreaming one day. I thought, "If Heaven had a big band and I could pick the lineup, who would I pick?" Let's put aside the debate over whether Heaven exists and what the entrance criteria is; that's a debate for another blog post.

Sticking only with the instrumentation of a big band, I thought this would be paradise's band. Probably some of your favorite names are left off, but which would you change and why? And by the way, saying someone should be in because "they're awesome" is not a good enough reason. Persuade with intelligent dialogue why I made a mistake choosing one player over another.

Here it is, Heaven's Big Band:

Saxes
1st alto – Charlie Parker
2nd alto – Cannonball Adderley
1st tenor – Coleman Hawkins
2nd Tenor – Sonny Stitt
Bari – Ronnie Cuber

Trombones
1st – Conrad Herwig
2nd – Tom Garling
3rd – ?

Trumpets
1st – Arturo Sandoval
2nd – Dizzy Gillespie
3rd – Lee Morgan
4th – Maynard Ferguson

Rhythm
Piano – Thelonius Monk
Bass – Charles Mingus
Drums – Buddy Rich
Guitar – Freddie Green

Trombones was the only trouble section. Where are all the great jazz trombonists? Who should play in this cosmic all-star band?

I'm still compiling Hell's big band. That's gonna be made of the names you can't stand. Don't worry, Kenny G will be riding 1st tenor. More to come on that one later.

See ya.