A Short History of the Bob Mintzer Big Band

Bob Mintzer is a Grammy winning saxophonist, composer, arranger and educator who has been working in the music scene since 1974. After attending Hartt College of Music and the Manhattan School of Music, Bob joined the bands of Tito Puente and Eumir Deodato, touring the world and playing regularly around New York City.
In 1975, Bob joined the Buddy Rich Big Band and spent 2 1/2 years there, creating arrangements and writing/recording 8 pieces. The band played every night of the year with just two weeks off at Christmas.
Bob signed on with the Thad Jones Mel Lewis Big Band in 1978, continuing to write and perform with other jazz luminaries around New York, including Art Blakey, Joe Chambers, Sam Jones, Tom Harrell. From 1981-82, Bob was a member of the Jaco Pastorius Word of Mouth band, making several recordings and touring the globe.
In 1983, Bob started the Bob Mintzer Big Band, recording the Papa Lips album for CBS Sony. The band included luminaries such as Dave Sanborn, Michael and Randy Brecker, Peter Erskine and Don Grolnick and performed regularly at 7th Avenue South and the Village Vanguard. Over the course of 22 years, the band went on to record 14 albums for the esteemed DMP label.
Bob joined the Yellowjackets in 1990, recording Greenhouse and embarking on a venture that is still thriving today. The band continues to travel the world, releasing innovative and distinctive recordings.
In 2001, the Bob Mintzer Big Band album Homage to Count Basie was awarded a Grammy for best large jazz ensemble recording. Bob joined forces with the Manchester Craftsmans Guild label in 2006 and has made 6 recordings for them to date.
Bob has performed with the N.Y. Philharmonic, the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Metropole Orchestra, National Symphony and Buffalo Philharmonic. He has written over 300 big band arrangements, many of which are performed today, all over the world. Bob has published several books of etudes, a piano book, and a solo transcription for Alfred Music.
Bob is currently on the faculty of the USC Thornton School of Music in the endowed position of Bowen H. “Buzz” and Barbara M. McCoy Chair in Jazz. He and his wife live in the Hollywood Hills in a former home of composer Arnold Schoenberg.