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| "In the Moment" was digitally recorded by Mick Guzauski (Eric Clapton, Yellowjackets, Earth Wind and Fire) and Neil Dorfsman (Paul McCartney, Dire Straits, Sting) and mixed by Hal Winer in 24-bit/96kHz at BiCoastal Music in Ossining, New York on December 16, 2004. Bob is joi |
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 | In The MomentNot Rated
Released: 2007 |
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Click on one of the albums below for more info.
| | In The MomentNot Rated
Released: 2007
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| "In the Moment" was digitally recorded by Mick Guzauski (Eric Clapton, Yellowjackets, Earth Wind and Fire) and Neil Dorfsman (Paul McCartney, Dire Straits, Sting) and mixed by Hal Winer in 24-bit/96kHz at BiCoastal Music in Ossining, New York on December 16, 2004. Bob is joined by the current rhythm section for his Big Band which includes Jay Anderson on bass, Phil Markowitz on piano and John Riley on drums. Six of the nine songs featured on "In the Moment" were composed by Mintzer. The album also features two standards, "Listen Here" by Eddie Harris and "Time After Time" by Styne & Cahn. "Forgiveness", written by Phil Markowitz, concludes the album.
One of the key elements that contributed to the successful execution of the music the Quartet recorded was the arrangements. Each arrangement was crafted in such a way that there was a sense of composition to each tune without having the writing being too cumbersome. Bob made sure to leave lots of room for each individual’s interpretation of the music. With players like these you want to provide a setting where they are able to do their own thing freely. There is a balancing act between establishing form and guidelines and allowing the room for individual expression within the arrangements.
Arranger and saxophonist Bob 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. He has maintained a New York based Big Band since the early eighties, leads a Jazz quartet, is a 15 year member of the Yellowjackets, is active in music education and manages to find time to write saxophone quartets, Symphony music, Big Band arrangements, music for the Yellowjackets and several etude books. Bob honed his skills playing and writing for Buddy Rich, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Art Blakey, Sam Jones, Jaco Pastorius, The GRP Big Band, Mike Mainieri, Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri and the New York Philharmonic. He has also done session work for James Taylor, Queen, Steve Winwood, Aretha Franklin and countless others. “Homage to Count Basie” won a Grammy in 2002 for best large Jazz ensemble recording. This was Bob’s fifth nomination. Bob’s Big Band arrangements have become standard repertoire for Big Bands all over the world. His arrangements are published by Kendor Music and Warner Brothers Publications. His signature writing style is easily recognizable and can be heard on Jazz radio, in university settings, high schools and Jazz venues. Following Bob’s 23 year (12 CD's) stint with Digital Music Products (DMP Records) the Big Band now resides at MCG Jazz. The Bob Mintzer Quartet's-"In the Moment" (Art of Life AL1024-2) recording for Art of Life Records (www.artofliferecords.com) is the first small band recording Bob has done in six years.
Liner Notes
To spontaneously create, interact and rejoice in the moment is the goal of every Jazz musician. Once the parameters are set for a project it is best to get out of the way and let the music unfold. For it is the unhampered conversation that takes place in the moment in its own unique way that makes for a great performance and if the musicians have a long-standing relationship, even better!
Phil, John, Jay and I have playing together for a long time. This is the rhythm section in my big band as well. I think I’ve figured out a way to write a program of music in a way that allows these guys to do their thing. Again, the objective is to let it happen rather than make it happen. I honestly can’t think of anyone else I’d rather play with nowadays than these three gentlemen.
The four of us got together one afternoon up at Hal Winer’s new studio (BiCoastal Music in Ossining, New York) to try out the room and allow a few luminary recording engineers from the neighborhood to do the same. Mick Guzauski and Neil Dorfsman did the engineering honors and we recorded these nine tunes in roughly four hours. It all happened in the moment. Hal Winer mixed the session and here it is, a straight ahead blowing session. This is my first small band release in six years. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to capture the music with the help of Hal, Mick, Neil, John, Phil and Jay.
I picked songs that had lots of room for improvisation and conversation in them. It was nice to simply go into the studio without a rehearsal and blow. First impressions seem to frequently be the best ones. I think this was the case here. It was also great to revisit the bass clarinet. I’d like to play this instrument more were it not for the difficulty in amplification on live gigs and the precarious nature of carrying multiple reed instruments on airplanes these days.
And so, this is what we do; playing music in the moment, hoping to capture a good performance in a quality way without getting in the way of the natural flow of things. Hope you enjoy the music as much as we did!
Bob Mintzer |
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