Originally from New Orleans, and while still in high school there, Al spent his weekends on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge absorbing the formidable talents of Carl Fontana- Al’s mentor. In later life, Fontana said of him “nobody gets around the horn any better than Al Hermann”.
While in New Orleans, Al was featured with the Dukes of Dixieland, called for the New Orleans Symphony, and was a regular at the Roosevelt (Fairmont) Hotel, where he backed such luminaries as Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, Julie London, and Peggy Lee. He has sided with the Woody Herman Orchestra, Lionel Hampton, Buddy Morrow, Wild Bill Davidson, Doc Cheatham, Ellis Marsalis, Spike Robinson, Warren Vache, Dave Grusin, Eddie Daniels, Arturo Sandoval, Dave Pietro, President Bill Clinton, and many other outstanding musicians.
Al has recorded with Carl Fontana on the Sea Breeze (Los Angeles) label. The CD, “The Jazz Trombone” (and Al’s playing in particular) received great reviews worldwide (including in the July 2005 Journal of the International Trombone Association). The CD was selected CD of the month by KUVO, Denver’s jazz FM radio station (October 2004), and was called “an amazing, happy, swinging, butt-kicking CD” by Eddie Daniels.
“A Master Jazz Trombonist”, Ellis Marsalis
“A Premier Jazz Trombonist who plays with absolute authority”, Dr. Herb Wong, past president of IAJE
“Critically-acclaimed trombonist with a magical touch”, WRIR-FM, Richmond, VA
“Virtuoso Trombonist”, Jazz Workshop Australia (Sydney)
“One of America’s foremost physicists, and an even better trombonist”, President Bill Clinton.
He will be with Gonzalo Teppa:bass, Eric Gunnison: piano, Clare Church: drums, and guest Pete Lewis: saxophone