Home » Jazz Musicians » Dino Govoni

Dino Govoni

One of the most versatile contemporary saxophonists is undoubtedly Dino Govoni. Govoni learned from two tenor sax greats, Jerry Bergonzi and George Garzone, and furthered his studies by attending Berklee College of Music, studying with the late, great Joe Viola. Govoni hit the road right away with a variety of musical outfits, playing and/or recording with such diverse artists as Grover Washington Jr., Randy Brecker, Eddie Gomez, Billy Hart, Terri Lyne Carrington, Larry Goldings, Bill Stewart, Arturo Sandoval, Cindy Blackman, Joe Beck, Jason Miles, Prassana, Terence Trent D'Arby, Robben Ford, Tom Brechtlein, Ed Spargo, Mel Tormé, the Manhattan Transfer, the Boston Pops, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, the John Allmark Jazz Orchestra, Frankie Valli, and Englebert Humperdinck, among others. Govoni has two recordings under his own name to date, “Breakin' Out”, and "In the Library", both on the Whaling City Sound label. Dino has also been a side man on many sessions and recordings. Dino is currently at work on a new LIVE recording with the hopes of having it finished for the end of 2007. Keep an "ear open"! In addition to his performances, Govoni is currently on the faculty at Berklee College of Music (as an assistant professor of woodwinds) and lives in New York where he teaches students privately, as well.

Gear

tenor-Yamaha Custom Z, JodyJazz DV NY 8*, Vandoren ZZ 3 1/2 alto-Stephonhauser, JodyJazz HR 8M, Vandoren ZZ 3 soprano-Selmer Series III, Selmer Super Session J, Vandoren ZZ 3


Tags

22
Album Review

Dino Govoni: Hiding in Plain Sight

Read "Hiding in Plain Sight" reviewed by Jack Bowers


Tenor saxophonist Dino Govoni acquits himself well on the curiously-titled Hiding in Plain Sight, his third album for Whaling City Sound, as do his colleagues on this basically bop-leaning, mainly quintet studio date. The qualifier “mainly" is necessary because trumpeter Alex Sipiagin performs on only five of the album's nine tracks. On the others, Govoni is cradled by his capable rhythm section, pianist Henry Hey, bassist Michael Pope and drummer Jeff “Tain" Watts. Each of the numbers ...

5
Album Review

Douglas Olsen: 2 Cents

Read "2 Cents" reviewed by Jack Bowers


What seems at first blush to be a nonet on this splendid new album is actually trumpeter Douglas Olsen's core quartet, amplified on various selections by talented guests who raise the number anywhere from a quintet to an octet. Even though Olsen has been a super-busy free-lancer on the New England jazz scene for more than two decades, 2 Cents is apparently his first recording date as leader of his own group; with that in mind, perhaps Olsen reasoned it ...

170
Album Review

Dino Govoni: In The Library

Read "In The Library" reviewed by Glenn Astarita


Saxophonist Dino Govoni's wide-ranging jazz vernacular is conveyed rather effectively during this sprightly set. He possesses a broad tone, augmented with fluent lines and a relaxed vibe. With his quartet, the artist explores various harmonic frontiers, amid slight shifts in momentum and medium to torridly swinging tempos

The rhythm section implements a frisky Latin-jazz groove on the title piece. Here, Govoni utilizes the soprano saxophone for a series of lilting motifs, contrasted with a spacious approach. Whereas ...

130
Album Review

Dino Govoni: In the Library

Read "In the Library" reviewed by Jack Bowers


Young Boston-based saxophonist Dino Govoni, who has appeared as a sideman on a number of recent albums, steps forward to lead a talented quartet on In the Library, an earnest volume of engaging post-bop essays, most of them written by Govoni and his companions. The exceptions are Chick Corea’s melodious “Again and Again” and Suzanna Sifter’s volatile “Lines for Charlie.” Govoni’s supple, aggressive but always well-modulated tenor sax reminds me of another formidable young lion, Eric Alexander -- high praise ...

100
Album Review

Dino Govoni: In the Library

Read "In the Library" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan


Like a skilled prose writer, saxophonist Dino Govoni gives you a good straight ahead story, a linear narrative, with stylistic asides, subtle and wonderful surprises. The writer's story may beguile you, but it's the occasional odd sentence, the unusual but on-target diction, the deft and vibrant turn of phrasing interspersed thoughout that holds the audience's attention from first page to last. Dino Govoni, on In the Library, his second CD on Whaling City Sound, does just that, musically.His ...

102
Album Review

Dino Govoni: Breakin' Out

Read "Breakin' Out" reviewed by Jack Bowers


No young lion, tenor saxophonist Dino Govoni has been diligently mastering his craft while working steadily in the Boston–New York area for more than two decades, and the seasoning is evident on his impressive debut album, the well–named Breakin’ Out. Govoni, a blues–based modernist who lists John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, Michael Brecker and fellow Bostonians Jerry Bergonzi and George Garzone among his influences, has a warm, masculine sound, plays confidently at every tempo and seldom resorts to screeching or growling ...

197
Album Review

Dino Govoni: Breakin' Out

Read "Breakin' Out" reviewed by Dave Nathan


Whaling City Sound gathered some talented players, veterans and newcomers, for this take no prisoners hard bop set. This blowing session is reminiscent of those events which regularly took place throughout the 1950's and 1960's led by the likes of Hank Mobley, Kenny Wheeler, Johnny Griffin and others responsible for building the foundation for this hard driving jazz genre. Relatively new on the scene, Dino Govoni on his debut CD ably demonstrates he is well aware of his musical lineage. ...

Read more articles
127

Recording

Dino Govoni And Hilary Noble Lead The New Big-City Jazz Sounds Of The Whaling City Sound Label

Dino Govoni And Hilary Noble Lead The New Big-City Jazz Sounds Of The Whaling City Sound Label

Source: All About Jazz

Saxophonists Dino Govoni and Hilary Noble star in Whaling City Sounds' two latest releases. Both feature the kind of sultry sophistication and edgy execution for which the fledgling imprint is fast becoming known. Govoni, who has been perfecting his artistry on both the Boston-New York scenes for two decades, is following up his debut as a bandleader, Breakin' Out, with the live jazz of his new disc In The Library. Boston's Noble, an adventurous saxophonist and percussionist with an Afro-Cuban ...

Primary Instrument

Saxophone, tenor

Location

Boston

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

I've been an instructor at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA for the past 12 years. I teach all levels of private instruction to saxophonists.

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Hiding in Plain Sight

Whaling City Sound
2021

buy

2 Cents

Self Produced
2020

buy

Chance Meeting

Whaling City Sound
2018

buy

In The Library

Whaling City Sound
2003

buy

In the Library

Whaling City Sound
2002

buy

Breakin' Out

Whaling City Sound
2001

buy

Videos

Similar

Kenny Garrett
saxophone, alto
Michael Brecker
saxophone, tenor
Dexter Gordon
saxophone, tenor
Dave Liebman
saxophone, soprano
Jerry Bergonzi
saxophone, tenor
Bobby Militello
saxophone, alto
Bob Reynolds
saxophone, tenor
Tia Fuller
saxophone
Brian VanArsdale
saxophone, tenor
KJ Denhert
guitar, acoustic

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.