NSU Green Country Jazz Series Kicks Off with Bob Mintzer
Published: 2006-11-20
TAHLEQUAH Grammy award-winning saxophonist and composer Bob Mintzer will perform with the Northeastern State University Jazz Ensemble on Wednesday Nov. 29, at 8 p.m. in the NSU Jazz Lab. The concert is the first of the NSU Green Country Jazz Series, sponsored by the NSU College of Liberal Arts, Department of Music, and the NSU Jazz Studies program. This marks the second appearance for Mintzer at NSU, having first performed in Tahlequah in 1993.
Bob Mintzer is universally known for his unique composition and arranging style, and is, without question, a world-class jazz improviser. His appearance will be a great highlight for NSU Jazz, said Arthur White, NSU director of Jazz Studies.
Mintzer has made his mark merging a traditional jazz approach with an all-encompassing modernism that embraces lyricism, a strong sense of swing, and arrangements that take the listener on an unpredictable and vibrant journey. Besides leading his own New York-based big band since the early 1980s, Mintzer is a 15-year member of the critically acclaimed fusion group Yellowjackets, and is active in music education.
Mintzer honed his skills playing and writing for Buddy Rich, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Art Blakey, Sam Jones, Jaco Pastorius, The GRP Big Band, Mike Manieri, Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, and the New York Philharmonic. He also has done session work for James Taylor, Queen, Steve Winwood, Aretha Franklin, and countless others. Mintzer has been nominated for thirteen Grammy awards both for his solo work and big band recordings (Art of the Big Band, Departure, Homage To Count Basie, One Music, and Only In New York) and his work with the Yellowjackets. Homage to Count Basie won the Grammy in the best large ensemble category for the 44th Annual Grammy Awards in 2001.
Mintzer will be featured with the NSU Jazz Ensemble I, the flagship ensemble of the NSU Jazz Studies Program. The band is celebrating the release of their recent CD, Appointment In Milano, and has appeared in concert recently with Bobby Watson, Scott Wendholt, Henry Johnson, Mulgrew Miller, and Kevin Mahogany, among others.
Mintzer is a terrific musician and composer, and a dedicated educator. I am very confident that it will be an amazing concert, said White.
Tickets for the general admission show are $10 in advance or $12 at the door, and $6 for NSU students, and can be reserved by calling 918-456-5511, ext. 4603. Bob Mintzer will present a free masterclass open to the public the day of the show at 3 p.m. at the Jazz Lab. The concert is supported with a grant from the Oklahoma Arts Council with additional support from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Appointment In Milano can be purchased online at www.cdbaby.com, or at the NSU Jazz Lab for $12, and will be available the night of the show. For more information on the album or concert, contact Arthur White at 918-456-5511, ext. 4602.