Bob Mintzer is a prominent figure in the saxophone world. Born on January 27, 1953, in New Rochelle, New York, Mintzer has since become an internationally celebrated jazz saxophonist, composer, arranger, and big band leader.
Mintzer’s musical journey began at the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, followed by his studies at the Hartt School of Music in Connecticut, and then at the Manhattan School of Music. His early career saw him play in various big bands, working with acclaimed artists such as Buddy Rich, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, and Sam Jones.
He is perhaps most renowned for his 30-year tenure as a saxophonist with the Grammy award-winning Yellowjackets, a fusion supergroup that burst onto the scene in 1981. Beyond his role with the Yellowjackets, Mintzer has contributed to over 1000 recordings and has performed with an array of esteemed artists and ensembles, including Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Jaco Pastorius, Mike Manieri, Randy Brecker, and the New York Philharmonic.
As a composer and arranger, Mintzer has over 500 big band arrangements to his name. His compositions are played by bands and orchestras worldwide, and he has penned works for prestigious orchestras including the National Symphony Orchestra, the Metropole Orchestra of the Netherlands, and the HR Big Band in Frankfurt.
In 2014, Mintzer took up the role of Chief Conductor of the WDR Big Band in Cologne, Germany, a position he shares with Vince Mendoza. His extensive knowledge and skill in big band music have made him a leading figure in this sphere.
Currently, Mintzer is based in Los Angeles, where he holds the Barbara and Buzz McCoy endowed chair at the USC Thornton School of Music. As a respected professor of Jazz Studies and conductor of the USC Thornton Jazz Orchestra, Mintzer continues to contribute to jazz education on a global scale. His work at USC, along with his conducting of clinics and workshops worldwide, and his authorship of nearly twenty books, forms a cornerstone of jazz education curriculums around the world.
Bob is a member of the Eastman Family of Artists.
Page last updated 5/21/2023.
English