Sunday Night Jazz Showcase
Program #202
Diversification has always been a driving force behind Bob Mintzer and his music.
Aside from being a tenor and soprano saxophonist, Mintzer also plays flute, clarinet, EWI, and is world renowned as a composer, arranger and educator. He has been active in the jazz, pop, orchestra, Latin, and world music genres.
The Bob Mintzer Big Band has received four Grammy nominations and a Grammy Award in 2002 for the recording Homage to Count Basie. The band has performed at numerous festivals and New York jazz clubs over the years.
Mintzer is member of the Yellowjackets, a contemporary jazz group that has scored numerous Grammy nominations and has been a regular participant at jazz festivals throughout the world. Apart from the Yellowjackets, his primary focus is with the Bob Mintzer Big Band and working with many other bands as a guest conductor and soloist on an ongoing basis.
Mintzer considers the educational scene a vital component in the effort to keep jazz and big band music alive. He performs at dozens of workshops annually and maintains a busy schedule teaching at Manhattan School of Music. Most recently, Mintzer has joined the faculty of USC.
Over the years, Mintzer has performed and/or recorded with a roster of musicians representing a broad range of styles: Buddy Rich, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Big Band, Louie Bellson, Jaco Pastorius, Michael Franks, Take Six, Bobby McFerrin, Dave Leibman, Randy Brecker, George Gruntz, Steve Winwood, Diana Ross, Queen, the American Saxophone Quartet, New York Philharmonic, Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, and Mongo Santamaria.
(provided by Concord Music)
