Bob Mintzer: The Art of Being a Musician - Part I

Bob Mintzer is at the very top of the list of outstanding jazz tenor saxophonists who have been top-tier players, composers, and arrangers. After gaining experience as a sideman in the bands of Tito Puente, Buddy Rich, Louie Bellson, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, Sam Jones, Jaco Pastorius, and working in every imaginable musical situation as a freelancer in NYC, Bob began his own big band in 1984 with the issue of his first album: Horn Man Band. Bob has created 16 big band albums under his name which feature great jazz artists along with his own playing and writing skills. Since 2014 Bob has also been the principal conductor/arranger of the WDR Big Band in Cologne, Germany. He has created the last 3 albums with that esteemed ensemble including their most recent: Soundscapes. As a leader of small groups, he has released 17 recordings in addition to appearing as a guest soloist on numerous projects of others. Since 1991, Bob has been a member of the formidable jazz/rock/fusion quartet, The Yellowjackets. His writing and performing abilities have been featured on their concerts worldwide as well as on their last 23 albums. In 2008, Bob and his family relocated from NYC to southern California in order to serve as a professor of jazz studies at the Thornton School of Music at USC. He has contributed to the expanding field of jazz pedagogy with 8 books that explore developing one’s jazz improvisational skills as well as saxophone prowess. In the concert field, Bob has written 3 saxophone quartets and a work for tenor saxophone and concert band. Bob is also an accomplished multiple woodwind artist

[@DylanAnderson-xd1bt]

I went to Interlochen with Bob's son, Paul, and we were both in concert band together. I remember one day my freshman year, I got put on bari sax on a particularly challenging piece, and there were a couple of sections I hadn't gotten together quite right which the conductor was isolating along with the bassoons. Much to my own terror, it was parents weekend and when I looked behind me I saw Bob sitting maybe 20 ft behind me watching me mess up this line over and over again! I saw him a few times over my years at Interlochen as he would come and visit and do concerts and he was always such a humble and knowledgeable personality.

[@SuperOutloud]

Excellent interview once again. Great to hear how this legend got his start and what he did to move on to the next level.

[@txsphere]

Such a great interview. Thanks Ed.

[@michaelschuster206]

Thanks for another great interview. Can't wait to listen to part 2.

[@jordanmorack9122]

So excited to watch this

[@darrellscott2483]

Thank you Ed and Bob. Great interview.

[@travelingman9763]

I had similar experiences as a musician.

[@Franckyyyyy]

Any chance you have the titles of the exercise books mentioned around 18:00?

[@Joffewoodwinds]

I believe that what Bob was refrerring to can be found in Kal Opperman's book: Contemporary Chordal Sequences for Clarinet. The more valuable books I believe are the Modern Daily Studies for Clarinet, Books 1-3.
-Ed

[@Franckyyyyy]

@@Joffewoodwinds Thanks! Love the channel!

[@stangetz534]

This should be good…

[@JohnEpto-ng6ml]

28