Credits:

Bob Mintzer ,Wdr Big Band Cologne

Description:

Tenor saxophonist Bob Mintzer has led the WDR Big Band since 2016Tenor saxophonist Bob Mintzer has led the WDR Big Band since 2016 and is now available for 2019 recording. Bob Mintzer first tried his hand at leading a large ensemble in 1983 when he performed with the Big Band at the Brecker Brothers' popular New York nightclub Seventh Avenue South. Later, in collaboration with the DMP label, he honed his skills as a big band arranger. As a big band composer-arranger, he has written music for the Buddy Rich Orchestra, Thad Jones, Art Blakey, and others, and also arranged for the GRP All-Star Big Band, in which he also participated. He also toured with Jaco Pastorius in the early 1980s as a principal member of the Word of Mouth Big Band; in 2016, he was named principal conductor of the WDR Big Band; and since 1990, the Electro-Acoustic Jazz Ensemble, He has also been a member of the Yellowjackets.Bob Mintzer says: "I love counterpoint. I studied classical clarinet in school and had a trio that studied music of the 12th, 13th, and 14th centuries. These things have indirectly influenced my compositions, so to speak, while musicians like Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Count Basie, and all the jazz I've listened to have had a direct influence." The smooth groover M-1 recalls Weather Report's black market days; M-2 is a lively call-and-response exchange between dynamic horns and guest percussionist Marcio Doctor; and M-3 swings straight ahead, M-4, a Cuban rumba-like groove, M-8, the only ballad, and M-9, a big band version of a song Mintzer recorded with the Yellowjackets.

Tracklisting:

1.A Reprieve
2.The Conversation
3.Stay Up
4.Montuno
5.Whack
6.Canyon Winds
7.Herky Jerky
8.New Look
9.One Music
10.Vm