David Bixler Quintet
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About
After moving to NYC thirty years ago, saxophonist, composer, and educator David Bixler cut his teeth touring the world with the big bands of Lionel Hampton and Toshiko Akioshi. He later joined the Chico O’Farrill Afro-Cuban Big Band, with whom he played a decade-long residency of Sunday evenings at Birdland and won a LATIN GRAMMY for the recording, Final Night at Birdland. The passage of time encompassed a twelve year period of managing his son’s health issues which caused a humbling reboot to his priorities in life and the role of music in it. In the summer of 2016, after reevaluating his circumstances he recorded In the Face of Chaos (2019) with Bixler, Boccato, Cowherd, and Sturm, Blended Lineage (2020) with the Bixtet, and Inside the Grief (2020) with trio incognito. His latest project, THE LANGSTON HUGHES PROJECT vol. 1, which PARIS-MOVE describes as "a touch of genius" is a new recording featuring music inspired by the poetry of Langston Hughes..
Bixler is the host of LINER NOTES with David Bixler, a podcast centered on conversations with jazz musicians. He also serves as Director of Jazz Studies at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. As both a Selmer and Vandoren Artist he is active as a clinician and performer throughout the world.
Bixler and his family reside in New York City.
Scott Wendholt is an articulate, passionate, and lyrical trumpeter who approaches music with energy and spirit. He communicates to audiences with sincerity and ease.Born in the mid sixties and nurtured in the Mile High City (Denver), this young veteran left for Indiana University and subsequently moved on to Cincinnati, Ohio. Still feeling a pull from farther East, he, like so many other musicians, migrated to New York City and has remained ever since.Mr. Wendholt is a much in demand artist and has found himself in a variety of settings. He has recorded and/or worked extensively with artists including Kenny Garrett, Cyrus Chestnut, Christian McBride, Don Braden and Bruce Barth. For the last Six years, Scott has found a home with Vincent Herring's quintet. This highly acclaimed band has recorded three albums, including Folklore-Live At The Village Vanguard. He has toured extensively throughout the United States, Europe, South America, Africa and Japan with these bands as well as others. To his credit, Scott has been recorded on more than ninety CD's. However, he is recognized as a leader as well. His second recording for the Doubletime Jazz label was released in the spring of 2000, following three successful Scott Wendholt offerings on Criss Cross. This CD has received much favorable press including a 4 star review in Downbeat. Look for his upcoming release with a new quartet he co leads with Adam Kolker on tenor saxophone. The recording features Victor Lewis on drums and Ugonna Okegwo on bass in a "chord-less" quartet setting with all new music and is due out in late 2013 (Fresh Sound).The "Big Band Scene" has also sought out this trumpeter for his versatility and formidable powers. His list of credits include: The Carnegie Hall Big Band (led by Jon Faddis), Maria Schneider¼s Big Band, the Bob Mintzer Big Band and the Buddy Rich Big Band. He currently has the honor of being included in the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra (formerly Thad Jones/Mel Lewis) where he is a featured soloist.Mr. Wendholt continues to be in demand on the playing scene as well as in the educational arena. Scott is currently on the faculty at Manhattan School of Music and the Jamey Aebersold summer jazz camps and is in demand as a player/clinician in many colleges and various other learning institutions around the world.
A fairly distinctive modern mainstream guitarist, John Hart has impressed many with his fine recordings as a leader for Blue Note and Concord. He began on the guitar when he was 12, graduated from the University of Miami in 1983, and moved to New York City the following year. Among his most significant associations were with Terumasa Hino, Larry Goldings, and particularly Jack McDuff, with whom he toured and recorded. In addition, Hart has been a busy music educator and performed with many top jazz artists, including Jimmy Smith, Lou Donaldson, James Moody, Mike Mainieri, the Maria Schneider Orchestra, and Steve Allen, in addition to leading his own groups
Ugonna Okegwo is one of the most distinctive and sought-after jazz bassists in the world. Critics across the globe have praised him for his rich tone, supple sense of swing, stylistic range and inventiveness. These qualities have not only earned him a place on the bandstand with jazz legends as diverse as Clark Terry, Benny Golson, Pharoah Sanders and Joseph Jarman they have established him as one of the leading lights of a younger generation redefining jazz for the new century.
"He is very individualistic, both in his soloing and accompanying. I love the way he plays in the ensemble, says Tom Harrell, with whom Okegwo has worked for several years. Ugonna does some really creative things that I haven't heard anyone do with his articulation and timing."
Born March 15, 1962 in London to a German mother and Nigerian father, Okegwo was raised in Germany and grew up listening to African-American music -- James Brown, Jimi Hendrix, Miles Davis, Ornette Coleman, and, eventually, the great Charles Mingus.
"What I always heard first in funk and rock 'n roll were the bass lines, the ostinato, and later, in jazz, the walking bass," he recalls. "That's what first got me playing bass. The fusing of funk and jazz bass conceptions is a foundation of Okegwo's unique approach, making his sound instantly recognizable.
In 1986, he moved to Berlin to study with the American expatriate bassist Jay Oliver, and with the American pianist Walter Norris. There Okegwo caught the attention of many prominent jazz musicians, most notably the trombonist and Mingus alum, Lou Blackburn, who invited Okegwo to tour Europe with his Afro-Jazz group Mombasa. While working with Blackburn, Okegwo met and played with trumpeter Joe Newman, drummer Oliver Jackson, and the bassist Major Holley, who encouraged him to move to New York.
In 1989, Okegwo made the leap to Manhattan and began playing with musicians like saxophone legends Big Nick Nicholas, Junior Cook, and James Spaulding. In 1992, a call from legendary vocalist Jon Hendricks led to steady work as a sideman - on stage and in recording studios. In 1994 Hendricks even took Okegwo to the White House to perform for the President. During this time, Okegwo's artistry attracted two other gifted young musicians -- pianist Jacky Terrason and drummer Leon Parker. The trio joined forces and at famous clubs like the Village Gate and Bradley's, developing one of the most creative and explosive group sounds of the nineties.
Recently, Okegwo expanded his horizons and became a bandleader. In 2002 he took his quartet to Europe and documented the group with a recording entitled "UOniverse" [Satchmo Jazz]. The material, which consists of his compositions and brilliantly arranged standards, draws from a wide range of influences, including jazz, African, funk, and classical music.
weblinks:
www.Ugonnaokegwo.com
Andy Watson has been a fixture on the New York jazz scene for over two decades. He has performed and recorded with an impressive list of artists and groups, including: Toshiko Akiyoshi, Bill Frisell, Benny Golson, Jim Hall, Tom Harrell, Jon Hendricks, Woody Herman, Joe Lovano, Wynton Marsalis, Marian McPartland, James Moody, Marvin Stamm, Mike Stern, Lew Tabackin and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra.
As a member of Jim Hall’s trio, Andy played on the critically acclaimed recording, “Dialogues “. All About Jazz magazine called his performance on David Bixler’s “Call It A Good Deal” “one of the top ten for 2006”. Other notable recordings include Jon Hendricks’ “Boppin’ at the Blue Note,” Toshiko Akiyoshi’s “Hiroshima: Rising from the Abyss,” Jim Hall’s “Downbeat Critic’s Choice”, The Westchester Jazz Orchestra's "Maiden Voyage Suite" and the Telarc compilations “Jazz: Live from New York,” and “Triple Play: Live From the Blue Note.”
Watson has toured extensively throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and South America, appearing at many of the major festivals: Monterey Jazz Festival, Ravinia, JVC New York, Playboy Jazz Fest, JVC Saratoga, Zurich Jazz Festival, and the Vienna Jazz Festival.
Bixler is the host of LINER NOTES with David Bixler, a podcast centered on conversations with jazz musicians. He also serves as Director of Jazz Studies at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. As both a Selmer and Vandoren Artist he is active as a clinician and performer throughout the world.
Bixler and his family reside in New York City.
Scott Wendholt is an articulate, passionate, and lyrical trumpeter who approaches music with energy and spirit. He communicates to audiences with sincerity and ease.Born in the mid sixties and nurtured in the Mile High City (Denver), this young veteran left for Indiana University and subsequently moved on to Cincinnati, Ohio. Still feeling a pull from farther East, he, like so many other musicians, migrated to New York City and has remained ever since.Mr. Wendholt is a much in demand artist and has found himself in a variety of settings. He has recorded and/or worked extensively with artists including Kenny Garrett, Cyrus Chestnut, Christian McBride, Don Braden and Bruce Barth. For the last Six years, Scott has found a home with Vincent Herring's quintet. This highly acclaimed band has recorded three albums, including Folklore-Live At The Village Vanguard. He has toured extensively throughout the United States, Europe, South America, Africa and Japan with these bands as well as others. To his credit, Scott has been recorded on more than ninety CD's. However, he is recognized as a leader as well. His second recording for the Doubletime Jazz label was released in the spring of 2000, following three successful Scott Wendholt offerings on Criss Cross. This CD has received much favorable press including a 4 star review in Downbeat. Look for his upcoming release with a new quartet he co leads with Adam Kolker on tenor saxophone. The recording features Victor Lewis on drums and Ugonna Okegwo on bass in a "chord-less" quartet setting with all new music and is due out in late 2013 (Fresh Sound).The "Big Band Scene" has also sought out this trumpeter for his versatility and formidable powers. His list of credits include: The Carnegie Hall Big Band (led by Jon Faddis), Maria Schneider¼s Big Band, the Bob Mintzer Big Band and the Buddy Rich Big Band. He currently has the honor of being included in the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra (formerly Thad Jones/Mel Lewis) where he is a featured soloist.Mr. Wendholt continues to be in demand on the playing scene as well as in the educational arena. Scott is currently on the faculty at Manhattan School of Music and the Jamey Aebersold summer jazz camps and is in demand as a player/clinician in many colleges and various other learning institutions around the world.
A fairly distinctive modern mainstream guitarist, John Hart has impressed many with his fine recordings as a leader for Blue Note and Concord. He began on the guitar when he was 12, graduated from the University of Miami in 1983, and moved to New York City the following year. Among his most significant associations were with Terumasa Hino, Larry Goldings, and particularly Jack McDuff, with whom he toured and recorded. In addition, Hart has been a busy music educator and performed with many top jazz artists, including Jimmy Smith, Lou Donaldson, James Moody, Mike Mainieri, the Maria Schneider Orchestra, and Steve Allen, in addition to leading his own groups
Ugonna Okegwo is one of the most distinctive and sought-after jazz bassists in the world. Critics across the globe have praised him for his rich tone, supple sense of swing, stylistic range and inventiveness. These qualities have not only earned him a place on the bandstand with jazz legends as diverse as Clark Terry, Benny Golson, Pharoah Sanders and Joseph Jarman they have established him as one of the leading lights of a younger generation redefining jazz for the new century.
"He is very individualistic, both in his soloing and accompanying. I love the way he plays in the ensemble, says Tom Harrell, with whom Okegwo has worked for several years. Ugonna does some really creative things that I haven't heard anyone do with his articulation and timing."
Born March 15, 1962 in London to a German mother and Nigerian father, Okegwo was raised in Germany and grew up listening to African-American music -- James Brown, Jimi Hendrix, Miles Davis, Ornette Coleman, and, eventually, the great Charles Mingus.
"What I always heard first in funk and rock 'n roll were the bass lines, the ostinato, and later, in jazz, the walking bass," he recalls. "That's what first got me playing bass. The fusing of funk and jazz bass conceptions is a foundation of Okegwo's unique approach, making his sound instantly recognizable.
In 1986, he moved to Berlin to study with the American expatriate bassist Jay Oliver, and with the American pianist Walter Norris. There Okegwo caught the attention of many prominent jazz musicians, most notably the trombonist and Mingus alum, Lou Blackburn, who invited Okegwo to tour Europe with his Afro-Jazz group Mombasa. While working with Blackburn, Okegwo met and played with trumpeter Joe Newman, drummer Oliver Jackson, and the bassist Major Holley, who encouraged him to move to New York.
In 1989, Okegwo made the leap to Manhattan and began playing with musicians like saxophone legends Big Nick Nicholas, Junior Cook, and James Spaulding. In 1992, a call from legendary vocalist Jon Hendricks led to steady work as a sideman - on stage and in recording studios. In 1994 Hendricks even took Okegwo to the White House to perform for the President. During this time, Okegwo's artistry attracted two other gifted young musicians -- pianist Jacky Terrason and drummer Leon Parker. The trio joined forces and at famous clubs like the Village Gate and Bradley's, developing one of the most creative and explosive group sounds of the nineties.
Recently, Okegwo expanded his horizons and became a bandleader. In 2002 he took his quartet to Europe and documented the group with a recording entitled "UOniverse" [Satchmo Jazz]. The material, which consists of his compositions and brilliantly arranged standards, draws from a wide range of influences, including jazz, African, funk, and classical music.
weblinks:
www.Ugonnaokegwo.com
Andy Watson has been a fixture on the New York jazz scene for over two decades. He has performed and recorded with an impressive list of artists and groups, including: Toshiko Akiyoshi, Bill Frisell, Benny Golson, Jim Hall, Tom Harrell, Jon Hendricks, Woody Herman, Joe Lovano, Wynton Marsalis, Marian McPartland, James Moody, Marvin Stamm, Mike Stern, Lew Tabackin and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra.
As a member of Jim Hall’s trio, Andy played on the critically acclaimed recording, “Dialogues “. All About Jazz magazine called his performance on David Bixler’s “Call It A Good Deal” “one of the top ten for 2006”. Other notable recordings include Jon Hendricks’ “Boppin’ at the Blue Note,” Toshiko Akiyoshi’s “Hiroshima: Rising from the Abyss,” Jim Hall’s “Downbeat Critic’s Choice”, The Westchester Jazz Orchestra's "Maiden Voyage Suite" and the Telarc compilations “Jazz: Live from New York,” and “Triple Play: Live From the Blue Note.”
Watson has toured extensively throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and South America, appearing at many of the major festivals: Monterey Jazz Festival, Ravinia, JVC New York, Playboy Jazz Fest, JVC Saratoga, Zurich Jazz Festival, and the Vienna Jazz Festival.
Lineup
