BOB MINTZER—CANYON COVE (Pony Canyon/Cheetah)—U.S. Release: August 17
Bob Mintzer * Peter Erskine * Larry Goldings
While organ was already being used in the 20s and 30s in jazz settings (Count Basie, Fats Waller), it wasn't until the late 40's that the “Hammond" organ trio got it's start with Wild Bill Davis. In the 50's we saw the emergence of a slew of great “B3" Players from Bill Doggett, Hank Marr, Jimmy McGriff, Groove Holmes, and the ever-popular Jimmy Smith. The sound of the Hammond B3 was and is so rich in overtones, and has the ability to sound like a much larger ensemble while maintaining the intimacy of a small band.
This richness in sound of the Hammond B3 combined with the close-knit feeling of the organ trio is what inspired me to do this recording. And when you put together a stellar band like this one, with Peter and Larry, all is well. The sound of the tenor, bass clarinet, and flute blends in such a warm way with the B3. It was a joy to play with these cats!
While much of the music is a nod to the older generation of organists, it must be acknowledged that subsequent organ players are in the mix as well. We must not forget Larry Young, Shirley Scott, Jack McDuff, Charles Earland, John Patton, Lonnie Smith, and Joey Defrancesco (who was supposed to do this date, and got stranded in Europe).
The music includes tributes to the various people and music I have encountered through the years. The tune “Thaddeu"s is for Thad Jones whose big band I played in briefly. “Canyon Cove" is a dedication to the rock band Emerson Lake and Palmer, and is named after the house we live on in Los Angeles (where Arnold Schoenberg once resided). “Bebop Special" is a dedication to the challenging art form I have worked on for most of my life. “Papa Lips" and “Mr. Fonebone" are two older tunes of mine that I play wit my big band. They work well in this format, I think. The tune “Bugaloo to You" is a tribute to the R&B- based music that many of the famous organ trios touched upon in their repertoire. The remainder of the songs draw upon the blues and jazz tradition.
I hope you enjoy the music as much as we did playing it. I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to find these notes with these wonderful musicians and play for you. —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 Luke's Chamber Ensemble in 1992.
Bob has had a diverse career as a freelance 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, and 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.
CANYON COVE is available only through BobMintzer.com—or as an expensive Japanese import.
Bob Mintzer * Peter Erskine * Larry Goldings
While organ was already being used in the 20s and 30s in jazz settings (Count Basie, Fats Waller), it wasn't until the late 40's that the “Hammond" organ trio got it's start with Wild Bill Davis. In the 50's we saw the emergence of a slew of great “B3" Players from Bill Doggett, Hank Marr, Jimmy McGriff, Groove Holmes, and the ever-popular Jimmy Smith. The sound of the Hammond B3 was and is so rich in overtones, and has the ability to sound like a much larger ensemble while maintaining the intimacy of a small band.
This richness in sound of the Hammond B3 combined with the close-knit feeling of the organ trio is what inspired me to do this recording. And when you put together a stellar band like this one, with Peter and Larry, all is well. The sound of the tenor, bass clarinet, and flute blends in such a warm way with the B3. It was a joy to play with these cats!
While much of the music is a nod to the older generation of organists, it must be acknowledged that subsequent organ players are in the mix as well. We must not forget Larry Young, Shirley Scott, Jack McDuff, Charles Earland, John Patton, Lonnie Smith, and Joey Defrancesco (who was supposed to do this date, and got stranded in Europe).
The music includes tributes to the various people and music I have encountered through the years. The tune “Thaddeu"s is for Thad Jones whose big band I played in briefly. “Canyon Cove" is a dedication to the rock band Emerson Lake and Palmer, and is named after the house we live on in Los Angeles (where Arnold Schoenberg once resided). “Bebop Special" is a dedication to the challenging art form I have worked on for most of my life. “Papa Lips" and “Mr. Fonebone" are two older tunes of mine that I play wit my big band. They work well in this format, I think. The tune “Bugaloo to You" is a tribute to the R&B- based music that many of the famous organ trios touched upon in their repertoire. The remainder of the songs draw upon the blues and jazz tradition.
I hope you enjoy the music as much as we did playing it. I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to find these notes with these wonderful musicians and play for you. —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 Luke's Chamber Ensemble in 1992.
Bob has had a diverse career as a freelance 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, and 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.
CANYON COVE is available only through BobMintzer.com—or as an expensive Japanese import.
For more information contact Michael Bloom Media Relations.
