Bob Mintzer: Amazing Reach

Bob Kenselaar is former Assistant Curator of the Institute of Jazz Studies, Rutgers University, and has published articles on music in The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz, the Annual Review of Jazz Studies, and The Aquarian Weekly.

Recent articles (29 total)

Published: November 12, 2012

View All 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Bob Mintzer at the Iridium, NYC-© Courtesy of Bob Mintzer AAJ: You've had such a long, successful life in music, and you've done so much. What are you really proudest about in your musical career?

BM: That's a tough question. I guess I'm proud of the ability to keep going with what I'm doing and keep growing and writing, learning and expanding. Reaching other people with the music- that's an amazing thing. I'll get an e-mail from somebody from somewhere on the other side of the earth that says they were inspired by either a musical project I was associated with or something I had written. That really feels good. It feels like you're affecting somebody in a positive way.

I know when I hear great music, it makes me hopeful and inspired and optimistic, and that's a great way to influence people. So, if I can do that for a prolonged period of time, well, that's something. I sure hope I can keep doing this for as long as possible.

Selected Discography

Bob Mintzer Big Band, For the Moment (MCG, 2012)
Vince Mendoza, Nights on Earth (Horizon, 2011)
Yellowjackets, Timeline (Mack Avenue, 2011)
Bob Mintzer, Canyon Cove (Pony Canyon, 2010)
Fahir Atakoglu, Faces & Places (Far & Here, 2009)
Bob Mintzer Big Band, Swing Out (MCG, 2008)
Bob Mintzer Quartet, In the Moment (Art of Life, 2007)
Yellowjackets, Twenty Five (Heads Up, 2006)
Bob Mintzer Big Band, Old School, New Lessons (MCG, 2006)
Yellowjackets, Mint Jam (Universal/Polygram, 2002)
Bob Mintzer Big Band, Homage to Count Basie (DMP, 2001)
John Abercrombie/Peter Erskine/Bob Mintzer/John Patitucci, The Hudson Project (Stretch, 2000)
Bob Mintzer Quartet, Quality Time (TVT, 1998)
Yellowjackets, Club Nocturne (Warner Bros., 1998)
Bob Mintzer/Gil Goldstein, Longing (Sunnyside, 1997)
Yellowjackets, Dreamland (Warner Bros., 1995)
Bob Mintzer/Michael Brecker, Twin Tenors (Novus, 1994)
Yellowjackets, Run for Your Life (GRP, 1993)
Bob Mintzer/Michael Formanek/Jeff Andrews/Peter Erskine, I Remember Jaco (Novus, 1992)
Yellowjackets, Like a River (GRP, 1992)
Bob Mintzer, One Music (DMP, 1991)
Bob Mintzer Big Band, Incredible Journey (DMP, 1990)
Bob Mintzer & the Horn Man Band, Papa Lips (Explore, 1983)
Jaco Pastorius, Birthday Concert (Warner Bros., 1981)
Buddy Rich, Plays and Plays and Plays (BMG, 1977)