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Craig Yaremko
Craig Yaremko is a dynamic performer on all saxophones, flutes and clarinets. “An artist who…has a powerful musical personality. (Whose) originals, which touch on the jazz tradition while also looking forward, are rife with musical adventures.” (Newark Star-Ledger) Craig’s diverse musical tastes have led to performances with world-class jazz, classical, rock and pop artists, establishing himself as one of the most exciting and versatile young artists on the New York-area music scene. Through this experience, he has developed an eclectic, yet distinctive approach as a composer, performer and educator, delivering inspired performances both onstage and in the classroom.
A native of Clifton, NJ, Craig received his M.A. in Music Education from Montclair State University and his B.F.A. in Jazz and Contemporary Music Performance from the New School University. During his years at the New School, Craig had the opportunity to study with many legends of jazz, including Jane Ira Bloom, Joanne Brackeen, Joe Chambers, Eddie Gomez, Barry Harris, Junior Mance, Cecil McBee, Ron McClure, Charles Tolliver, and Reggie Workman. He has also studied conducting with Dr. Thomas McCauley, Dr. Craig Kirchhoff and Dr. Mallory Thompson. During his formative years, his primary saxophone and woodwind teachers were Mark Friedman and Ken Hitchcock (who passed on the teachings of Joe Allard and Thomas Nyfenger).
Craig has performed along side jazz artists Gerri Allen, Helio Alves, Tim Armacost, Jerry Bergonzi, Paul Bollenback, Don Braden, Paulo Braga, Randy Brecker, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Candido, Jimmy Cobb, Kermit Driscoll, Paquito D'Rivera, Wycliffe Gordon, Joe Magnarelli, Hendrik Meurkens, Paul Meyers, Bob Mintzer, Rufus Reid, John Riley, Dave Samuels, Bobby Sanabria, Byron Stripling, Dave Stryker, Dave Valentin, and Ray Vega. Known for his impeccable section playing, he has worked with some of the New York area's finest big bands, including an almost nine-year run as the lead alto saxophonist with the Cecil’s Big Band (directed by Mike Lee) at the now-closed Cecil’s Jazz Club. Other big band performances include Tommy Igoe and the Birdland Big Band, Diane Moser's Composer's Big Band, the BMI Composer's Workshop (with Jim McNeely, Mike Holober and Michael Abene), as well as the bands of Bill Mobley, Russ Speigel, Bill Warfield, and Joe Elefante (receiving national exposure in the Wall Street Journal and on ABC's Nightline). Craig has appeared on numerous albums, including three albums with the Nathan Eklund Group (Coin Flip (2010), The Crooked Line (2007) and The View From Afar (2006)), three with the Michael Treni Big Band (Pop Culture Blues (2013), Boys Night Out (2012) and Turnaround (2009), all featuring saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi) and Willy Dalton and the Real Deal Big Band (Real Deal Big Band (2012)).
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Craig Yaremko Organ Trio: CYO3
by Dan Bilawsky
When saxophonist Craig Yaremko was in college at the New School, one of his mentors--the esteemed Jane Ira Bloom--heard him playing with an organ group. Right then and there she said, Craig, your sound was made to play with an organ trio." Now, more than a decade later, Yaremko is proving her right. Yaremko relates that story in the introductory passage of his self-penned liner notes for CYO3, the debut recording from his organ trio. In that ...
read moreCraig Yaremko: Sync
by Michael P. Gladstone
Saxophonist Craig Yaremko's Sync, immediately brings to mind his other major appearance recently, as the multi-reed player on trumpeter/flugelhornist Nathan Eklund's A Crooked Line (Jazz Excursion, 2007).
While A Crooked Line was a structured attempt to revisit the early 1960s Blue Note period, Sync has some other ideas. The group here is a quartet featuring Eklund once again, along with bassist Bill Moring and drummer Steve Johns.
The liner notes make specific reference to the Ornette ...
read moreCraig Yaremko: Sync
by Woodrow Wilkins
Chemistry. The term can refer to a number of things. In music, it represents that just-right, often perfect, blend of sounds when musicians complement one another well. Chemistry is what you get on saxophonist Craig Yaremko's Sync.Yaremko is a fixture on the New York jazz scene. His experience has included live performances of classical, rock and pop music, as well as jazz. A short list of his stage and studio comrades includes Randy Brecker, Paquito D'Rivera, Bob Mintzer, ...
read moreCraig Yaremko: Sync
by Laurel Gross
For those who want an indication of whether their tastes are in sync with an artist's essence, going along for a ride with multi-reedist Craig Yaremko is as straight-ahead as driving on a highway. Yet this is also someone who likes taking the scenic route. These are not detours off the main path but intrinsically threaded into the overall route so this should not upset those who prefer jazz straight-up. But this penchant can extend this leader's appeal to those ...
read morePrimary Instrument
Saxophone
Location
Newark
Willing to teach
Advanced only
Credentials/Background
Craig is available for clinics and private instruction. He has had a private teaching studio in NJ since 1995, and is currently the woodwind instructor at Ramapo High School in Franklin Lakes, NJ. He is on faculty of the Encore Music Studio in Ridgewood, NJ, and coaches saxophone sections at area schools, including Ridgewood HS and West Orange HS. Craig has given clinics throughout the area on saxophone, flute, clarinet, woodwind doubling, and jazz improvisation.