Gary Valente (born June 26, 1953) is a jazz trombonist.
Valente was born on June 26, 1953, in Worcester, Massachusetts.[1] He started playing the trombone as a young child, encouraged by his father, who played the same instrument.[1] In the 1970s he studied at the New England Conservatory of Music, with Jaki Byard, and recorded with the conservatory's Jazz Repertory Orchestra.[1]
Valente became a prominent figure in contemporary big band jazz, as a member of bands led by Carla Bley, Lester Bowie, Chico O'Farrill, and George Russell.[1] He has also played in a diverse range of smaller groups, including those led by Don Byron, Cab Calloway, Charlie Haden, Joe Lovano, and Andy Sheppard.[1]
As a leader, he had a small band with tenor saxophonist Bob Hanlon in the late 1980s and co-founded Slideride with other trombonists in 1994.[1] At the end of the 1990s he led a quintet that featured Lew Soloff.[1]
With Carla Bley
With Lester Bowie
With George Gruntz
With Joe Lovano
With Nick Mason
With Arturo O'Farrill
With Chico O'Farrill
With Ed Schuller
With Andy Sheppard
With others