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When playing jazz tuba in a small group (not as the bass voice), is it better to play in the "tuba range" or "trombone range"? (mostly below the staff vs mostly in the staff)

Use the whole range! Learn what sounds cool from the other low voice instruments, bari sax, double bass, bass trombone and piano... drums.
Sound like a tuba Learn the tunes enough to stand alone and play the entire tune as a solo performance, by memory, Play everything important that makes the tune happen.... groove, chords and melody.
Break a leg
Joe
Wheryat in KY?

I'm in Bowling Green.

When playing a bass line to support the band or other soloists it is generally best to stay down in the "cash" register. But it often is a good idea to jump up into the trombone range when starting a solo, so that you are no longer perceived as a background instrument. I find that heads often turn when I remember to do that. But don't try to play higher than you can.

Art Hovey wrote:When playing a bass line to support the band or other soloists it is generally best to stay down in the "cash" register. But it often is a good idea to jump up into the trombone range when starting a solo, so that you are no longer perceived as a background instrument.

This is how Adrian Rollini approached playing the bass saxophone - it's good advice for a tuba player, also.

It is situational - if you are backing the bone or tenor sax solo, stay much lower so you will not conflict with what they are playing. You can move up for the higher voiced instruments.

I agree with Art Hovey when you start your solo - get the audience attention and then they will probably listen as you work lower in the register. Remember that the age of your audience makes a difference - older folks (in general) do not hear really low sounds very well, even with amplification. Play what you are comfortable doing - it is better to have a good solid tone in mid range than breaking and cracking on high note (or running out of gas on really low notes.)

I find that I do what Art recommended without really thinking about it. Actually, I rarely go below the staff when I take a solo.

The higher You go, the easier it is to convert the melody in Your head into a melody that comes out of the horn. Simply because the probability to use a possible fingering for a given note is higher.
The lower You go, the more Tuba-specific will be your sound. But it´s much easier to not play what´s on Your mind, because fingering requires greater care. and becomes more challenging.