Home » Jazz Articles » Mindi Abair

Jazz Articles about Mindi Abair

380
Live Review

Mindi Abair at The Empress Theatre

Read "Mindi Abair at The Empress Theatre" reviewed by Walter Atkins


Mindi Abair And The Boneshakers The Empress Theatre The EastWest Sessions CD Release Party Vallejo, CA November 10, 2017 Two time Grammy nominated saxophonist Mindi Abair, primarily known as a successful smooth/contemporary jazz musician and vocalist has moved into a new funk and rock oriented direction. Tonight's date at downtown Vallejo's Empress Theatre, featured tracks from her new CD The EastWest Sessions (Pretty Good For A Girl Records, 2017). Along her musical and personal ...

10
Book Excerpts

The Soul of Jazz: Stories and Inspiration from Those Who Followed the Song in Their Souls

Read "The Soul of Jazz: Stories and Inspiration from Those Who Followed the Song in Their Souls" reviewed by Trish Richardson


The Soul of Jazz: Stories and Inspiration from Those Who Followed the Song in Their Souls by Trish Richardson (Grayson James Press, 2011) includes interviews with nineteen world renowned jazz artists. The following is an excerpt from saxophonist Mindi Abair's chapter: What have you learned about your character as a result of being in this business? My dad was a musician, but he would never teach me music. My dad played sax and keyboards and bass--he ...

5
Interview

Mindi Abair: Game Changer

Read "Mindi Abair: Game Changer" reviewed by Trish Richardson


You know a dream is like a river, Ever changing as it flows. And a dreamer's just a vessel, That must follow where it goes. --"The River," vocals by Garth Brooks, lyrics by Victoria Lynn Shaw You know what it's like to wake up in the middle of the night with a vivid dream? And you know that if you don't have a pencil and pad by the bed, ...

6
Album Review

Mindi Abair: Wild Heart

Read "Wild Heart" reviewed by Jeff Winbush


Courtney Love courted controversy in a Rolling Stone interview when she shrugged off Clarence Clemons, the late and great “Big Man" saxophonist of Bruce Springsteen's E-Street Band, “My Springsteen problem is just that saxophones don't belong in rock & roll," she said. “They just don't belong." Mindi Abair would like a word with you Miss Love. The fusion of jazz and rock was not the most beloved of hybrids. As practiced by bands like Chicago and ...

175
Interview

Mindi Abair: Defining the ‘It’ Factor

Read "Mindi Abair: Defining the ‘It’ Factor" reviewed by Trish Richardson


It. What is It? How does one know if one has It? And more importantly, where does one get It? It. Such a small, unassuming word, barely taking up any space on the page. But just what is It? It. It is that almost indefinable, though easily recognizable “X" factor. It's quite obvious when someone has It--and when someone doesn't. It can be the difference between having a career in show business and not having one. ...

258
Album Review

Mindi Abair: In Hi-Fi Stereo

Read "In Hi-Fi Stereo" reviewed by Jeff Winbush


As soul music has vanished from urban radio, driven out by the predominance of rap, hip-hop and Auto Tune, it's become harder to find real soul made with real instruments, either on record or on the airwaves.

A Mindi Abair album is not the go-to place that comes to mind for a showcase of old school soul and bluesy funk. Abair has carved out a niche as a capable, if not always inspired, smooth jazz saxophonist, cut from the cloth ...

306
Album Review

Mindi Abair: In Hi-Fi Stereo

Read "In Hi-Fi Stereo" reviewed by Woodrow Wilkins


Sometimes, trends are a good thing. A number of recording artists have dipped back into old-school sounds--not necessarily remaking hits, but making new music using older styles. Saxophonist Mindi Abair follows suit with In Hi-Fi Stereo, a set of mostly original music. Abair was surrounded by musicians as a child, with a grandmother singing opera and a father playing saxophone and Hammond B-3 organ. At the age of 5, she took up the piano. She later studied woodwinds, ...


Engage

Contest Giveaways
Enter our latest contest giveaway sponsored by Calligram Records
Polls & Surveys
Vote for your favorite musicians and participate in our brief surveys.
Publisher's Desk
How To Follow Staff Writers
Read on...

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.