Award-winning saxophonist, band leader to perform at Texas State

By Alec Jennings
University News Service
February 1, 2010

Grammy-award winning musician, composer, arranger and Yellowjackets band leader, Bob Mintzer is teaming up with the Texas State University-San Marcos Department of Jazz Studies for two collaborative performances.

Mintzer along with Hank Hehmsoth, faculty jazz pianist and composer, School of Music, and the Hehmsoth Project will perform Friday, Feb. 5 at 9 p.m. in A Night at the Elephant in the Elephant jazz club at 315 Congress Ave. in Austin. Mintzer will perform the following night, Feb. 6, 8 p.m. in Evans Auditorium on the Texas State campus as a guest artist for the Hill Country Jazz Festival.

"Bob Mintzer is one of a small handful of living world-class sax players playing contemporary jazz, is a prolific composer for the Grammy winning jazz group, the Yellowjackets, as well as Grammy winning leader and writer for big band," Hehmsoth said. "During the two days of his visit to Texas State one can hear all three aspects: his improvisation and sax playing in a classic jazz quartet setting at the Elephant club, along with his compositions both that night, and as featured artist during the jazz festival performance with big band the following night."

Mintzer will furthermore take part in a master class and clinic Feb. 6 at 4 p.m. where he will discuss and play jazz.

"Anyone interested in the current trends in contemporary jazz and art of improvisation as it stands today is encouraged to attend," Hehmsoth said.

Mintzer tours four months out of the year with the Yellowjackets. In 2008 he was selected to hold the McCoy Endowed Chair in Jazz Studies at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music and has previously hosted a master class at Texas State. He has furthermore been commissioned to write an original work for big band at Texas State. A cover charge will be required for attendance to the Elephant jazz club. Only people 21 or older will be permitted. For more information regarding A Night at the Elephant, please contact Hank Hehmsoth at hh09@txstate.edu or visit www.elephantroom.com/.

Price for admission to the Hill Country Jazz Festival is $5 General Admission, $3 Students and Senior Citizens. For further information regarding this event, please contact Keith Winking at kw09@txstate.edu.