Take Five With Bob Albanese

AAJ Staff

Contributor since 1995

Various staff members.

Recent articles (1,149 total)

Published: August 12, 2009

Meet Bob Albanese:
Bob Albanese was born in Newark, N.J. in 1957. Growing up and the Jersey shore, he began practicing the piano at age 8. At age 15, he won top honors in the Garden State Talent Expo which culminated in a solo performance at the Garden State Arts Center in Holmdel, N.J. This was the beginning of his professional career. Graduating Neptune High School (Neptune, N.J.) he moved to Boston where he studied at Berklee college of Music for approximately 3 years, while playing in various bands employed in the greater Boston area.

From there his career has taken many turns; from Cape May, N.J. where he played steady solo gigs, to a brief stop in Atlantic and a final move New York City where he has been based since 1981. He performed as alternating Latin and jazz house pianist at the Rainbow Room for a number of years with bandleader Mauricio Smith. His musical sojourns have taken him all over the world. Having played with artists ranging from Buddy Rich Buddy Rich
1917 - 1987
drums to Anita O'Day Anita O'Day
1919 - 2006
vocal , Warne Marsh Warne Marsh
1927 - 1987
sax, tenor , Ben Vereen Ben Vereen
b.1946 , Freddie Hubbard Freddie Hubbard
1938 - 2008
trumpet and Datevik Hovenesian, he is a highly versatile pianist composer and arranger. He holds both and BM and a MM from Manhattan School of Music.

He has recorded with many artist as a sideman. His debut recording as leader is called One Way/Detour, recorded in January of 2008 and distributed worldwide by the Zoho music label, featuring Tom Kennedy on bass and Willard Dyson on drums with special guest artist, legendary multi-instrumentalist Ira Sullivan.

Instrument(s):
Piano, Hammond organ, synthesizer, melodian.

Teachers and/or influences?
Teachers include:

Morris Nanton, Harold Danko Harold Danko
b.1947
piano , Dennis Sandole Dennis Sandole
b.1913 , Herb Pomeroy Herb Pomeroy
b.1930
trumpet , Michael Gibbs Michael Gibbs
b.1937
trombone , Madam Chaloff, Warne Marsh Warne Marsh
1927 - 1987
sax, tenor , Garry Dial Garry Dial
b.1954
piano , Kenny Barron Kenny Barron
b.1943
piano , Michael Abene, Clare Fischer Clare Fischer
1928 - 2012
band/orchestra

Influences:

Louis Armstrong Louis Armstrong
1901 - 1971
trumpet , the The Beatles The Beatles

band/orchestra , Burt Bacharach Burt Bacharach
b.1928
composer/conductor , Santana, Grand Funk Railroad, Chicago, Blood Sweat and Tears, Motown, Lee Michaels, Jimmy Smith Jimmy Smith
1925 - 2005
organ, Hammond B3 , Poncho Sanchez Poncho Sanchez
b.1951
congas , Alan Broadbent Alan Broadbent
b.1947
piano , Claus Ogermann Claus Ogermann
b.1930 , Lalo Shiffrin, Michele Colombier Michele Colombier
, Michel Legrand Michel Legrand
b.1932
piano , Marian McPartland Marian McPartland
b.1918
piano , Dick Wellstood, Jack Six Jack Six
b.1930 , Brubeck, Bradleys: Ronnie Mathews Ronnie Mathews
1935 - 2008
piano , Kenny Barron Kenny Barron
b.1943
piano , Hank Jones Hank Jones
1918 - 2010
piano , Harold Danko Harold Danko
b.1947
piano , Kirt Lightsey, Bill Evans Bill Evans
1929 - 1980
piano , Stevie Wonder Stevie Wonder
b.1950
keyboard , Charlie Parker Charlie Parker
1920 - 1955
sax, alto , Dizzy Gillespie Dizzy Gillespie
1917 - 1993
trumpet , Clare Fischer Clare Fischer
1928 - 2012
band/orchestra , Thelonious Monk Thelonious Monk
1917 - 1982
piano , Bud Powell Bud Powell
1924 - 1966
piano , Noro Morales Noro Morales
b.1911
composer/conductor , Vince Guaraldi Vince Guaraldi
1928 - 1976
piano , Miles Davis Miles Davis
1926 - 1991
trumpet , Dexter Gordon Dexter Gordon
1923 - 1990
sax, tenor , Eddie Palmieri Eddie Palmieri
b.1936
piano , Freddie Hubbard Freddie Hubbard
1938 - 2008
trumpet , Bob Mintzer Bob Mintzer
b.1953
saxophone , Michael Brecker Michael Brecker
1949 - 2007
sax, tenor , Don Grolnick Don Grolnick
1947 - 1996
piano , Herbie Hancock Herbie Hancock
b.1940
piano , Chick Corea Chick Corea
b.1941
piano , Keith Jarrett Keith Jarrett
b.1945
piano , Oscar Peterson Oscar Peterson
1925 - 2007
piano , Art Tatum Art Tatum
1909 - 1956
piano , Chopin, Debussy, Mahler, Messian... Zimbo Trio Zimbo Trio
. Milton Banana, Tambastics Tambastics
...life... Kahlil Gibran, Eric Fromm, Aldous Huxley, Jimmy Durante Jimmy Durante
1893 - 1980
piano , Lord Buckley, Richard Pryor, George Carlin, Woody Allen, Victor Borga, the swing of the cosmos, and more...

I knew I wanted to be a musician when...
As far back as I can remember.

Your sound and approach to music:
I play what I hear. The music I love is reflected in what I improvise within the context of the jazz tradition. I am always absorbing and seeking further understanding of music, as per the respected traditions, but I am a non-traditionalist in my playing and composing for the most part. However, I believe that the styles of Bill Evans, Clare Fischer, Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett and Herbie Hancock (to note strongest influences) are evident in my musical approach.

Your teaching approach:
I try my best to allow the students individuality to blossom. I offer theoretical information (the perennial language of music) as it pertains to their individual needs. I demonstrate the applications of this information in spontaneous improvisations as well as myriad Jazz and Classical references. I write etudes for students when I feel it will benefit and help to advance their goals. I use technology, i.e. music notation programs (Sibelius), via the Internet, file transfer, video conference, YouTube et al.

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