Jazz Articles about Bob Mintzer

Bob Mintzer Big Band: Old School: New Lessons

by John Kelman
February 24, 2006

He may be best known these days as one quarter of the contemporary jazz group Yellowjackets' best lineup in 25 years, but woodwind multi-instrumentalist Bob Mintzer first cut his teeth in the big bands of Buddy Rich and Mel Lewis, along with the late bassist Jaco Pastorius' groundbreaking Word of Mouth Big Band. And so, while he's made a significant part of his reputation through work in smaller ensembles, he's always had an affinity for the sonic possibilities and sheer ...

Bob Mintzer Big Band: Old School: New Lessons

by Jim Santella
February 21, 2006

Tackling tradition and applying innovation has long been a hallmark of Bob Mintzer's career. He's paid his dues, both in old school circles and in the realm of contemporary jazz. As evidenced through his big band's 2004 and '05 appearances in Pittsburgh, new lessons continue to bring joy to both creator and audience.

With Kurt Elling sitting in with the big band for two numbers and the Yellowjackets sitting in for two others, Mintzer's “new lessons take shape ...

Yellowjackets: Altered State

by Jim Santella
May 17, 2005

Fusing South African rhythms with soothing R&B melodies, the Yellowjackets continue to put up a refreshing performance that's made to suit easy listening audiences. Their mellow harmony and relaxed rhythmic pulses belie a loyalty to leisure suits, platform shoes with awkward heels, and hangin' out at the disco. The band began in the late 1970s, when those things were in vogue. The core element in their performance has never left them.

Bob Mintzer employs the tenor saxophone for ...

Yellowjackets: Altered State

by Woodrow Wilkins
March 17, 2005

There's something distinctive about Yellowjackets' sound. It's contemporary in that the music is fresh and employs some modern conveniences--such as the electric bass and the EWI. Still, the way it's put together is old school--like the free-flowing style and the manipulation of time. And if that's not enough, there's a color or flavor to Bob Mintzer's sax and Russell Ferrante's piano that lets you know it's a 'Jackets tune. This distinctive approach is evident from the start of ...

Yellowjackets: Altered State

by John Kelman
March 16, 2005

Sometimes the best move a band can make is to go indie. Consider Yellowjackets, who have been imbued with unquestionable instrumental credibility since emerging in the early '80s. Over their 25-year career Yellowjackets have veered from torch carriers of the latter-day, more structured incarnations of Weather Report to a group in dangerous proximity to smooth jazz territory. In the process of racking up nearly twenty recordings, the group's technical prowess has never been in question, but some of its choices ...

Yellowjackets: Altered State

by C. Michael Bailey
March 15, 2005

Yellowjackets' music is steeped in the R&B/jazz tradition of the Jazz Crusaders, Junior Mance, Weather Report, and, of course Miles. Russell Ferrante always manages to slip a bit of church into his piano playing, a trend quickly picked up and absconded with by Bob Mintzer. Jimmy Haslip plays the most elastic bass since Victor Bailey, and Marcus Baylor must be the toast of the percussion town.

The band members all come together for Altered State in a brilliant ...

A Double-Barrel of Bob Mintzer

by Elliott Simon
December 4, 2004

The Body Acoustic The Body Acoustic Chesky Records 2004

For The Body Acoustic , pianist David Chesky has wisely engaged Bob Mintzer to play bass clarinet and cleverly given him equal footing with Randy Brecker's muted trumpet. Even in its soaring upper register, the bass clarinet has a beautiful resonance and a deep rich texture just not possible with brass. With an allegiance to Weather Report's I Sing the Body Electric, the session weaves ...