Bob Mintzer

Bob Mintzer developed his tenor saxophone approach under the influence of Michael Brecker and accumulated performing experience with Deodato, Tito Puente in 1974, Buddy Rich, Hubert Laws, and the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra in 1977. He began directing his own groups in 1978 and simultaneously collaborated with Jaco Pastorius, Mike Mainieri, Louie Bellson, Bob Moses, and the American Saxophone Quartet while also appearing as a guest soloist with several philharmonic orchestras. Mintzer has led a distinguished big band in New York since the mid-1980s. Joining the Yellowjackets in 1991, he has supplied the ensemble with distinctive color through his bass clarinet work and recorded consistently for DMP across a decade before releasing Quality Time on TVT in 1998. Homage to Count Basie arrived in fall 2000. The benefit albums Live at MCG, featuring vocalist Kurt Elling, and Old School New Lessons, both supporting the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, were issued in 2004 and 2006. Mintzer followed with the small-group session In the Moment in 2007 and later returned to big-band settings for Swing Out in 2008 and For the Moment in 2012.