Bob Mintzer Master Class – March 28, 2009

28 March 2009

Internationally known saxophonist and composer/arranger Bob Mintzer gave a workshop, highlighting many of his brilliant arrangements.

The Master Class took place on Saturday, March 28 at the Los Angeles Valley College music department band room. The capacity crowd of students, non-professionals and professionals were treated to 3 hours of in-depth discussion my Mr. Mintzer of his approach to composition and arranging. Although hosted and organized by ASMAC Board member Kim Richmond, Mintzer largely took the reins and presented several of his pieces for jazz band. The attendees heard recordings and watched coordinated scores on a projection screen. Mintzer also played several recordings of pieces by other composers that have inspired him.

Following Bob Mintzer’s presentation, many questions were asked by the attentive audience. All in attendance were give a CD that contained the discussed Mintzer’s pieces, audio and scores.

Refreshments were served at an intermission and many got a chance to meet Bob Mintzer.
Credits: Larry Goldman for the audio/visual presentation, Marlene Hadju for refreshments

Following is a brief biographical sketch of Bob Mintzer:

In the jazz world Bob Mintzer is a household name, usually associated with being a saxophonist, bass clarinetist, composer, arranger, leader of a Grammy winning big band, member of the Yellowjackets, and educator.

Bob has written over 200 big band arrangements spanning a 34 year career, many of which are performed all over the world by both student and pro bands. His own big band has been nominated for 4 Grammy awards and won a Grammy for best large jazz ensemble recording in 2001 with Homage to Count Basie on the DMP label. Bob has recorded 26 solo recordings with both big band and small jazz ensembles. He is an 18 year member of the Grammy award winning band Yellowjackets, and has recorded 12 cds with them. Bob tours 4 months out of the year with the ‘Jackets’. Bob has published 4 jazz etude books (Belwin Jazz), a solo transcription book (Belwin Jazz), a saxophone method book (Kendor Music), 4 saxophone quartets (kendor music), close to 200 big band arrangements (Kendor Music, Belwin Jazz), and has composed several pieces for orchestra. His “Rhythm of the Americas” piece for sax quartet and orchestra (or concert band) was premiered in 2001 by the American Saxophone Quartet and the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. His “Concertino for Tenor Saxophone, Strings and Winds” was premiered in NYC by the St Lukes Chamber Ensemble in 1992.

Bob has had a diverse career as a free lance musician in New York City. He has recorded with people like Steve Winwood, James Taylor, Aretha Franklin, and Queen. He’s toured with Buddy Rich, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Jaco Pastorius, Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri. He’s worked with the New York Philharmonic, American Ballet Theatre. Bob has been on the faculty of Manhattan School of Music and recently joined the faculty of USC in Los Angeles. He performs 20 workshops at universities all over the globe annually.

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