Marc Mommaas
Marc Mommaas, tenor saxophonist and composer was born in Tegelen, Netherlands on Sept. 12th, 1969. He grew up in Amsterdam and since 1997 made NYC his home. His father Henk Mommaas, was a well-known painter/artist in the Netherlands and developed his career in Amsterdam. His mother Carolien Collette is a pianist, opera singer and educator. His grandfather on his mother’s side was a professional multi instrumentalist playing flute, viola da gamba, recorder, organ, spinet and harpsichord and taught at the conservatory of Maastricht. His grandmother on his mothers side was an opera singer and his great grandfather an organ player.
Although always surrounded by music and playing accordion and chromatic harmonica he first became an athlete (swimming). Training ten times a week built up his discipline and concentration while competing all over Europe gave him a taste of the joys of visiting different countries experiencing their cultures. At 16 years of age injuries in his shoulders stopped him in his track and he returned to music. He decided on tenor-saxophone.
His first hero was Ben Webster who he shook hands with at a Sunday afternoon concert when he was 3 years old by climbing on stage to say goodbye and to thank him for the music. His first teacher was Ronnie Rem (an alto saxophonist) who introduced him to Stan Getz, Bill Evans and Charlie Parker, followed by flutist and saxophonist Peter Guidi who became his mentor and introduced him to Coltrane, Rollins and Cannonball Adderley. He also had some lessons from Jasper Blom (saxophonist and educator, teaches on the conservatory of Amsterdam). Coming from a rebellious artist background the self-taught road appealed more to him than the common conservatory route. During Marc's musical study he managed to combine his musical development with a university education.
After finishing his education (Master-degree in Comm. Science/Business/Economics at the University of Amsterdam, 1995) he visited New York City to continue his musical career. There he studied with wellknown musicians David Liebman, Garry Dial, and Dick Oatts. He returned to Holland where he continued to work as a freelance musician. After receiving two grants (Stichting Podium Kunsten, Prins Bernard Cultuur Fonds/Anjer Fondsen, 1997) he returned to New York where he continued his musical development by participating in master classes and studying composition, harmony and piano with Garry Dial who became his main mentor. Not ready to return to the Netherlands Mommaas extended his stay by applying at the Manhattan School of Music. He received a full scholarship (2000) where he pursued his Master's in Jazz Performance and upon graduating was awarded the 'William H. Borden Award' (2002), given to one student out of the graduating class for outstanding achievement. He also participated in the Lake Placid Seminar (1997) and the Aspen Snowmass Jazz Sessions (2001) for which he received full scholarships.
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Album Review
- Ballads & Standards by Budd Kopman
- Landmarc by Raul d'Gama Rose
- Landmarc by Thomas Conrad
- Landmarc by Dan McClenaghan
- Balance by Terrell Kent Holmes
Extended Analysis
Profile
Album Review
- Global Motion by Joshua Weiner
February 26, 2014
New York Jazz Workshop Open House This Sunday, March 2nd
April 28, 2013
New York Jazz Workshop Set For Annual Summer Sessions
February 19, 2011
Armen Donelian/Marc Mommaas Duo at University of the Streets on April...
April 08, 2009
Marc Mommaas and Nikolaj Hess Duo Performance at the Kitano on April 30
January 19, 2005
Marc Mommaas Global Motion Friday February 25th 9pm and 10:30pm at...
Global Motion is always in stylistic motion, spanning bop, ECM-esque soundscapes and free-form chamber dreams. ~By Ed Enright (Downbeat 2004)
Ofcourse, improv versus composition isn't a battle to be won or lost. Sometimes the two thrive as equals. Witness tenor saxophonist 'Marc Mommaas' Global Motion (Sunnyside), a finley crafted and uplifting example of a progressive-but-not-precisely-avant-garde jazz aesthetic. Mommaas is a gifted tenor saxophonist, ... and a writer of intricate and pleasingly unpredictable tunes. On "3458" and "African FBI," Mommaas seems to delight in subverting convention, especially in regard to time. Such metrically complex tunes are only as good as the band wraps its chops around them. Mommaas' crew ... does the material justice, interpretating its quirks with grace... The music has its own nearly classical beauty. ~By Chris Kelsey (JazzTimes 2004)
Primary Instrument
Saxophone, tenor
Location
New York City
Willing to teach
Intermediate to advanced
Credentials/Background
For private lessons or lessons online please visit: http://www.mommaas.com/Teaching.html Founder of: Hudson Jazzworks http://www.hudsonjazzworks.org New York Jazz Workshop http://www.newyorkjazzworkshop.com
Clinic/Workshop Information
20+ private students in US and Overseas. 2009 Artistic director Hudson Jazz Works (ongoing) 2009 Masterclass Conservatory Madrid 2009 Annual ‘Hudson Jazz Workshop’ including David Liebman and Armen Donelian, NY 2009 Rhythmic Masterclass with Tony Moreno, New York Jazz Workshop, NY 2008 Annual ‘Hudson Jazz Workshop’ Duo Workshop including Armen Donelian, NY 2008 Master class / The Washington University of St