Little Melba and Her Big Trombone

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone will delight every child who carries a rhythm or song in their heart. The words and illustrations of this picture book biography of musician and song-writer Melba Doretta Liston (1926-1999) practically blast off the page. We follow Melba in purchasing her first trombone, which she could barely play because her arms weren’t long enough and practicing her first night, in which she was ready to give up when the instrument sounded like a howling dog with its Hoooooooonks! and Haaaahnnks! But her guitar-playing Grandpa kept her focused through her struggles until she mastered a simple tune—her very first night! Melba was made to be a musician. By age eight she was on the radio playing a solo. In high school she became the star player. At seventeen the jazz scene called to her and she left to join it with her mother’s support. As a female African-American, working on the road was challenging. When she was ready to give it up, her fans would not let her. They wanted to hear her play; her music was special. An afterword includes photos and a brief biography of the very talented musician and song-writer.