A Note From Bob

The purpose for starting this web site is three-fold. Firstly, it seemed like a good idea to list my various recordings, arrangements, books, appearances, and technical info for those who may be interested. Secondly, I was intrigued by the prospect of hearing from other music fans and musicians on matters pertaining to the various components of music, and to bounce ideas back and forth. Thirdly, the opportunity to have an ongoing column in which I could discuss musical issues that I am working on, or to pass on information that has been graciously passed on to me over the years is quite appealing. So here goes! I look forward to seeing how this thing unfolds. I hope you will join me.

My relationship with music began with a combination of hearing things on the radio, on recordings, and live in clubs around New York or in concert. As a youngster I had the great fortune to hear Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Sonny Rollins, Jimi Hendrix, and countless others play live. This, combined with a buddy across the street who had an extensive jazz collection, was ample material for my listening routine. From early on I was very attracted to those 12 tones and how different artists arranged them to create a personal style and sound.

Another integral part of my early musical life was a piano that sat in my grandfather’s apartment downstairs from where I grew up. I spent countless hours at this instrument atempting to decipher things I had heard my favorite artists play live and on recording, as well as playing chords, melodies, and very basic versions of my own early compositions. These activities were integral components of what has made me the musician, composer, and arranger that I strive to be today. No one really told me to do these things. I was just terribly attracted to the music. And as it were, the piano was there, the music was there, and my parents allowed me and encouraged access to it.

After 5 solid years of formal musical schooling (Interlochen Arts Academy, Hartt College of Music, Manhattan School of Music) I had the great fortune to play with some rather colorful individuals who were extremely gracious (albeit sometimes gruff) about sharing information with a young wippersnapper. Tito Puente, Buddy Rich, Thad Jones, MelLewis, Sam Jones, Art Blakey, Louie Bellison, Eddie Palmieri were but a few. Each of these gentlemen took the time to steer me in a positive musical direction . I watched how they led their respective bands and filed away information to be used at some later date.

If you add symphonic work, broadway shows, studio work, teaching, writing books and arrangements to the musical brew mentioned above, you have some idea of the ingredients that determined my musicianship and musical personality of today. All of these situations had a bearing on my own recordings, compositions, arrangements, and playing. Add to this the life experience of being a dedicated musician, role model, teacher, parent, husband, son, brother, member of a community, survivor of life’s trials and tribulations, and you see a personality emerge in the music.

At this point in time I play music which involves improvisation, composition, spontaneous interplay with the other players, and open mindedness to what is happening in the moment. Call it jazz if you like. However, other influences definitely come into play. Rather than the music being jazz, I like to think of the approach and sensibility being one of jazz and improvisation, where things are created in the moment, one person playing off another, letting the music take on a direction of its own, surrendering to where the music wants to go, becoming a humble part of the whole.

This didn’t come easy. I spent many years trying to learn enough skills to be able to forget everything and just get up and play, to sit down and let my pencil write an arrangement or a tune without me getting in the way. With age and experience I find that I am able to get to that place where the music is playing itself with greater consistency. Some of the topics which I hope to cover in subsequent columns are: what to practice, how to survive in the music scene, road stories, music which has had an impact on me, helpful hints I’ve picked up from other musicians. I welcome your input on this subject. Hopefuly this will be a forum for information, humor, and positive thinking.

See ya next time.

Peace,
Bob Mintzer