Old School New Lessons

Performer: Bob Mintzer
Engineer: Jay Dudt
Producer: Marty Ashby; Jay Ashby; Marty Ashby; Jay Ashby
Distributor: Fontana Distribution

Notes: Bob Mintzer: Bob Mintzer (EWI); Scott Robinson (clarinet, baritone saxophone); Michael Davis (trombone); David Taylor (bass trombone); Jay Anderson (bass instrument); John Riley (drums); Pete Yellin, Phil Markowitz, Scott Wendholt, Terell Stafford, Lawrence Feldman, Bob Millikan, Frank Greene, Larry Farrell, Jason Jackson, Bob Malach. Personnel: Bob Mintzer (flute, tenor saxophone); Kurt Elling (vocals); Pete Yellin, Lawrence Feldman (flute, alto saxophone); Bob Malach (clarinet, tenor saxophone); Scott Wendholt (trumpet, flugelhorn); Terell Stafford, Bob Millikan, Frank Greene (trumpet); Michael Davis , Larry Farrell, Jason Jackson (trombone); David Earl Taylor (bass trombone); Russell Ferrante (piano, synthesizer); Phil Markowitz (piano); Jimmy Haslip (electric bass); Marcus Baylor (drums). Additional personnel: Yellowjackets (vocals); Jimmy Haslip, Kurt Elling, Russell Ferrante, Marcus Baylor. Audio Mixers: Jay Ashby; Jay Dudt. Liner Note Authors: Kurt Elling; Bob Mintzer. Recording information: MCG Jazz, Manchester Craftsmen's Guild, Pittsburgh, PA (10/2004-04/2005). Editors: Jay Ashby; Jay Dudt. Photographer: Robert Bowman. Arranger: Bob Mintzer. The Manchester Craftsman's Guild in Pittsburgh offers another rousing live concert date in this varied program led by the eclectic saxophonist who is best known as one of the Yellowjackets -- but whose early r�sum� also boasts everyone from Tito Puente to Thad Jones and the Mel Lewis Big Band. A dash here and a dollop there of each of these influences make this a varied date whose appeal extends beyond big-band fans and embraces those who love bebop, a touch of the avant-garde, the progressive spirit of the Yellowjackets (most notably Russell Ferrante, who contributes stunning percussive solos on pieces like the crazed, polyrhythmic "Mofongo"), and the great contemporary vocalist Kurt Elling. The singer shows a softly romantic and emotional side in extracting every heartfelt word on "My One and Only Love," but engages even more with his lively roller coaster phrasing over the bold and booming arrangement of John Coltrane's "Resolution." Later original Mintzer highlights include the percussive blues-driven playfulness of "March Majestic," the classic swinging of "Black Sand," and the mix of funk beats and swirling horn arrangements on "Go-Go." ~ Jonathan Widran

Down Beat (p.63) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "'Resolution' is an Elling tour-de-force, his uplifting lyrics blazed with clarion purpose on composer John Coltrane's solo." JazzTimes (p.78) - "[H]ighly melodic compositions....Excellent improvised solos complement Mintzer's writing."

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