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Bobby Selvaggio

Bobby Selvaggio is one of the leading alto saxophone voices on today's jazz scene. In the words of pianist Kenny Werner, “Bobby is among the best of players out there,” and legendary saxophonist Joe Lovano praises Bobby by calling him “one of the few young saxophonists on the scene today that captures you with his strong presence, focus, and sound.”

Bobby, who grew up in the Cleveland area, earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Performance from Kent State University. He eventually moved to New York City and earned a Masters degree in Jazz Performance from the Manhattan School of Music. While in New York, Bobby studied with Joe Lovano, Bobby Watson, Dick Oatts, and Maria Schneider.

After living in New York City and gigging around town at places like the Vanguard, Smalls, and Birdland for four years, Bobby decided to move back to Cleveland with his family. He has dedicated himself to keeping jazz alive in Cleveland and his passion for jazz education has led him to serve as Director of Jazz Studies at Kent State University.

In addition to his work in jazz education, Bobby continues to expand his discography. His most recent recording is Short Stories (Origin Records, 2014) featuring Aaron Goldberg on the piano, which follows Way Of Being (Arabesque Records, 2013), Grass Roots Movement (Arabesque Records, 2011) and Modern Times (Arabesque Records, 2009). Modern Times featured Kenny Werner on piano and Sean Jones on trumpet. Bobby’s Unspoken Dialogue (Playscape Recordings, 2007), also featured Kenny Werner, as well as Jamey Haddad on drums, Ben Street on bass, and Paul Tynan on trumpet.

In addition to playing alto saxophone, Bobby also plays soprano saxophone, alto clarinet, flute, and is a composer, arranger, and jazz clinician.

Gear

Conn-Selmer Artist Rico Reeds Artist Jodi Jazz Mouthpiece Artist


Tags

7
Album Review

Bobby Selvaggio: Quantum Man

Read "Quantum Man" reviewed by C. Andrew Hovan


For lack of a better description, the latest project by Cleveland-based musician Bobby Selvaggio is a melding of textures between the saxophonist's jazz quartet and a string quintet consisting of two violins, two violas, and cello. It's a heady assignment that many have tried over the years. In fact, there have been more failures in this genre than successes. A highpoint of this type of fusion has always been The October Suite a 1966 Impulse date featuring pianist Steve Kuhn ...

10
Album Review

Bobby Selvaggio: Short Stories

Read "Short Stories" reviewed by Mark Corroto


Like the Japanese calligraphy art know as ensō, the condensed and succinct introduction alto saxophonist Bobby Selvaggio delivers on the track “Price Of Being (Intro)" is a disciplined stroke, delivered with an ease and elegance that belies the character and control required for such a statement. He works his instrument through this exercise with such command and strength, the sound gives the impression it is effortless. But then, such is the dominion Selvaggio exhibits on his eighth recording ...

2
Album Review

Bobby Selvaggio: Way Of Being

Read "Way Of Being" reviewed by Mark Corroto


Bobby Selvaggio's Way Of Being epitomizes a restless sound, one that belies the alto saxophonist's unflappable nature. His latest release builds upon the groove-heavy folk/pop/funk sound of Grass Roots Movement (Arabesque, 2011).This disc, his seventh as a leader, is split evenly between the electric Grass Roots Movement quartet and an acoustic Shake Trio. Both groups sizzle with the saxophonist's ultra-nimble and penetrating sound. The veteran of Joe Lovano's band and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Selvaggio's music is a ...

150
Album Review

Bobby Selvaggio: Grass Roots Movement

Read "Grass Roots Movement" reviewed by Mark Corroto


Bobby Selvaggio's Grass Roots Movement, marks his sixth release as leader and second outing for Arabesque Records. This quintet record follows his 2009 disc Modern Times, recorded with veteran pianist Kenny Werner. Here, the saxophonist employs some new names, an electric groove, but no worries, the musicianship retains the highest standards. Here he switches on the power with an electric ensemble, where only drummer James Johnson is unplugged. He might as well be plugged in, however, because he ...

457
Album Review

Bobby Selvaggio: Modern Times

Read "Modern Times" reviewed by Jim Santella


Alto saxophonist Bobby Selvaggio carries an expressive torch when he fronts this ensemble. His fifth CD as leader brings nine original pieces and a cover of “You've Changed" into the improvisation arena for a program of acoustic modern jazz that ranges from quirky and dynamic to bluesy and frank. His fluid tone and easygoing articulation carry the alto and soprano on a journey that respects tradition while pumping new energy into the scene. Selvaggio leaps with high-octane drive on numerous ...

178
Album Review

Bobby Selvaggio: Unspoken Dialogue

Read "Unspoken Dialogue" reviewed by Mark Corroto


Listening to Unspoken Dialogue by saxophonist Bobby Selvaggio raises the old debate of composer versus improviser. Of the nine tracks found here, eight were penned by Selvaggio, plus “Alone Together by Arthur Schwartz. Is he a player or a writer?

Perhaps arranger is his strongest suit.

Selvaggio's compositions are keen to animate his fellow musicians on this recording, especially the adroit humor that is Kenny Werner's piano and the exuberant trumpet/flugelhorn of Paul Tynan. This ensemble ...

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Recording

Bobby Selvaggio - Grass Roots Movement (2011)

Bobby Selvaggio - Grass Roots Movement (2011)

Source: Something Else!

By S. Victor Aaron For a serious post-bop performer to take a leap into Grooveland, it can often be a risky bet. Will they be able to keep their artistic integrity? Will they even care? A couple of years ago, alto saxophonist Bobby Selvaggio made his second album (his first for the Arabesque Recordings label), leading a standard quintet that featured Kenny Werner through sophisticated modern jazz compositions all written by Selvaggio himself. Modern Times (2009) as that album is ...

214

Contest

Enter the "Bobby Selvaggio 2-CD" Giveaway

Enter the "Bobby Selvaggio 2-CD" Giveaway

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz members are invited to enter the Arabesque “Bobby Selvaggio 2-CD" giveaway contest starting today. We'll select FIVE winners to receive Bobby Selvaggio's latest album, Grass Roots Movement, as well as his previous album, Modern Times, at the conclusion of the contest on April 4th

Click here to enter the contest

(Following Bobby Selvaggio at AAJ automatically enters you in the contest.)

Good luck! Your Friends at Arabesque Records

About Grass Roots Movement

Arabesque Jazz is ...

80

Recording

Bobby Selvaggio's Unspoken Dialogue (Playscape) Released Today

Bobby Selvaggio's Unspoken Dialogue (Playscape) Released Today

Source: Improvised Communications

"Is Selvaggio a better player, composer, or arranger? The answer to all three is yes, as this is a near-perfect recording." --Mark Corroto, AllAboutJazz.com (8/21/07)

Playscape Recordings officially welcomes Cleveland-based saxophonist/composer Bobby Selvaggio to its roster with the August 28th release of his fourth CD as a leader, Unspoken Dialogue (PSR#080806). Selvaggio, who like fellow saxophonist and former teacher Joe Lovano is the son of a Cleveland jazz legend (pianist/accordionist Pete Selvaggio), is joined on this recording by ...

"His fluid tone and easygoing articulation carry the alto and soprano on a journey that respects tradition while pumping new energy into the scene." —All About Jazz

“Bobby Selvaggio is one of the few young saxophonists on the scene today that captures you with his strong presence, focus, and sound. " —Joe Lovano

“It’s not often that a composer sets up tunes and situations that make the band and every soloist sound special, but once we understood Bobby’s compositions, each and every one of them [made] us sound brilliant. Also, for my money, Bobby is among the best of players out there!” —Kenny Werner

Primary Instrument

Saxophone, alto

Location

Cleveland

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

Director of Jazz Studies @ Kent State University

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Stories, dreams,...

Hidden Cinema Records
2024

buy

Quantum Man

Dot Time Records
2017

buy

Short Stories

Origin Records
2014

buy

Way Of Being

Arabesque Jazz
2013

buy

Grass Roots Movement

Arabesque Jazz
2011

buy

Modern Times

Arabesque Jazz
2009

buy

Blue

From: Stories, dreams, inspirations:...
By Bobby Selvaggio

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