Bob jazzes up Adelaide

Music

One of the world's leading jazz saxophonists, composers and educators - distinguished visiting New York artist Bob Mintzer - will perform two concerts at the University of Adelaide in August.

The concerts will be the culmination of a week-long residency by Mintzer at the Elder Conservatorium of Music during which he will present master classes, workshops and lectures to students, and teach on a one-to-one basis in the jazz and classical areas.

Mintzer has been a member of the famous New York Yellowjackets for 15 years and is an active performer and music educator. In addition to his impressive performance schedule, he still finds time to compose and arrange, and he has written tunes for such other jazz luminaries as Buddy Rich, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis and the GRP Big Band.

Mintzer has also composed works for the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and has done session work with James Taylor, Queen, Aretha Franklin and countless others. His recording of Homage to Count Basie won a Grammy Award in the best large ensemble category for the 44th Annual Awards in 2001.

Mintzer's first concert is part of the Elder Conservatorium of Music Friday Lunch Hour Concert Series, 1.10pm in Elder Hall on 11 August. Featuring a selection of standards plus original works by Mintzer for saxophone quartet and jazz ensemble, the concert will include Dusty Cox, Chris Soole and Mike Stewart (soprano, alto and baritone saxophones respectively), with Bruce Hancock (piano), John Aué (double bass) and Laurie Kennedy (drums).

Tickets to the Lunch Hour Concert are $5, available from the door from 12.30pm.

Mintzer's second concert at the University of Adelaide is also the second concert for 2006 in the Elder Conservatorium's Evening Concert Series.

To be held on Saturday 12 August at 7.30pm in Elder Hall, the program features Mintzer as soloist, performing some of his own works including Slo-Funk, Carla, Heart of the Matter and Elvin's Mambo with the Elder Conservatorium Big Band directed by Dusty Cox, and also a Studio Orchestra conducted by Keith Crellin and Robert Hower performing Gershwin's Cuban Overture, and Mintzer's Prayer for Peace and On the Brighter Side.

"Bob Mintzer has made his mark merging a traditional jazz approach with an all-encompassing modernism, which embraces lyricism, a strong sense of swing and arrangements that take the listener on an unpredictable and vibrant journey," said the Manager of the Evening Concert Series, Helen Simpson.

"His Big Band arrangements have become standard repertoire for bands all over the world, while his signature writing style is easily recognisable and can be heard on radio, in universities, high schools and jazz venues."

Tickets for the 12 August Evening Concert are $33 adult/$27 conc/$22 student, available from BASS or dial'n'charge 131 246. University of Adelaide Staff at concession price.

For more information about the Evening Concert Series, please contact Helen Simpson on (08) 8303 5286 or email: helen.simpson@adelaide.edu.au