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Bob Mintzer Big Band: For The Moment

By Dan Bilawsky
June 29, 2012
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Musicians can consider themselves lucky if they find success in one particular area, but there are a select few that seem to flourish in every music-related environment that they encounter. Bob Mintzer is part of this elite list; his versatility is his greatest virtue but, while he's a world class saxophonist and educator, his legacy will likely be connected to his work as a composer and arranger in the world of big bands. He learned from the best, sitting in the saxophone section of bands led by

Thad Jones

trumpet
1923 - 1986

" data-original-title="" title="">Thad Jones and

Mel Lewis

drums
1929 - 1990

" data-original-title="" title="">Mel Lewis,

Gil Evans

composer / conductor
1912 - 1988

" data-original-title="" title="">Gil Evans, and several other notable figures, and he's been putting his hard-earned knowledge to good use in this area ever since he assembled his first big band to play at the

Brecker Brothers

band / ensemble / orchestra

" data-original-title="" title="">Brecker Brothers' Seventh Avenue South club, in the early '80s.

For his fourth large ensemble outing on the MCG jazz label, Mintzer looks south to Brazil, highlighting another of his great passions. His extensive experience working with, and learning from, big name Brazilians over the years, including

Eumir Deodato

keyboards
b.1942

" data-original-title="" title="">Eumir Deodato,

Milton Nascimento

guitar and vocals
b.1942

" data-original-title="" title="">Milton Nascimento,

Romero Lubambo

guitar
b.1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Romero Lubambo and

Milton Nascimento

guitar and vocals
b.1942

" data-original-title="" title="">Milton Nascimento, gives his work a mark of authenticity that eludes those who merely dabble in this area by adding a bossa nova or two to their repertoire.

Mintzer mixes originals with his arrangements of music from guest guitarist/vocalist

Chico Pinheiro

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Chico Pinheiro, as well as classics from the likes of

Antonio Carlos Jobim

piano
1927 - 1994

" data-original-title="" title="">Antonio Carlos Jobim ("Corcovado") and

Baden Powell

guitar, acoustic
1937 - 2000

" data-original-title="" title="">Baden Powell ("Berimbau"), on this nine-song stroll through Brazil. The performances are highly polished affairs that feature crisp ensemble work, strong solo personalities and buoyant rhythmic backdrops. Pinheiro is featured in several places, delivering vocals and killer, clean-toned guitar soloing on his own "Un Filme" and providing soothing singing on "Corcovado," but he's hardly the only standout on this disc.

Mintzer turned to longtime friend and big band drumming guru

Peter Erskine

drums
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Peter Erskine to anchor the band from behind the kit, and he doesn't disappoint. He brings his trademark sense of groove and touch to every piece on the program, from the bouncy bai?o-based tune that opens the album ("Aha") to a mellow bossa nova take on a '30s classic ("For All We Know"). Mintzer's

Yellowjackets

band / ensemble / orchestra
b.1977

" data-original-title="" title="">Yellowjackets band mate, pianist

Russell Ferrante

keyboards
b.1952

" data-original-title="" title="">Russell Ferrante, is another key ingredient in the soloist mix, as is underappreciated trumpeter

Scott Wendholt

trumpet
b.1965

" data-original-title="" title="">Scott Wendholt, but the ensemble is really the star of the show.

Mintzer is like a musical flavor chemist, making tasty musical admixtures that go down easy, yet have a complex aftertaste. For The Moment furthers what many already know: Mintzer is a monster musician with writing chops that match or surpass his stellar saxophone skills.

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Track Listing

Aha; Um Filme; Irrequieto; For All We Know; Berimbau; For The Moment; Redife; Corcovado; Ouro Preto.

Personnel

Bob Mintzer

saxophone

Bob Mintzer: tenor saxophone, flute; Chico Pinheiro: vocals, guitar; Lawrence Feldman: alto saxohpone, flute; Mike Tomaro: alto saxophone, flute; Bob Malach: tenor saxophone, clarinet; Frank Basile: baritone saxophone, clarinet; Steve Hawk: trumpet; Tony Kadleck: trumpet; James Moore: trumpet; Scott Wendholt: trumpet; Jay Ashby: trombone; Michael Davis: trombone; Keith O'Quinn: trombone; Max Seigel: bass trombone; Russell Ferrante: piano, keyboards; Marty Ashby: guitar; Lincoln Goines: bass; Peter Erskine: Drums; Alex Acuna: percussion.

Album information

Title: For The Moment | Year Released: 2012 | Record Label: MCG Jazz

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