Jim Saltzman is quickly becoming a powerful force on the New York jazz scene. His versatility and forward thinking have led to Jim’s open-minded, eclectic collaborations with some of the most engaging players of his generation. Born in Pequannock, NJ, Jim received his B.M. in Jazz and Commercial Music (Performance) from the University of the Arts in 2000, and his M.M. in Jazz Studies (Performance) from William Paterson University in 2002, where he was the first saxophonist to complete the graduate program. While attending both schools, he studied with David Demsey, Don Braden, James Williams, Ron Kerber, Frank Mazzeo, Bill Zaccagni, and Rich DeRosa. Jim has also studied privately with Seamus Blake, Rich Perry, and Kenny Werner. As a member of the BMI Jazz Composers Workshop led by Jim McNeely and Mike Holober, he was awarded the prestigious 2011 BMI Foundation Charlie Parker Composition Prize for his composition, “Road To Zion.” His most recent CD of original compositions, Hidden Intentions was chosen as one of the “Top Ten Jazz CD’s of 2007” by the Boston Globe, and was listed in the “Critics Picks, Top Jazz CD’s of 2007” by Jazz Times. Jim has also recorded two additional CD’s, “Along the Way” (2000), and “Aggregate” (2003),and has performed with Don Braden, Jim McNeely, George Coleman, James Moody, Grover Washington, Jr., Eddie Gomez, Jon Faddis, David Berkman, John Benitez, Jeff Hirschfield, Claudio Roditi, Vanessa Rubin, and many others. He has been a member and contributing composer/arranger of the Cecil’s Big Band for over seven years. In addition to his busy performing schedule, Jim is also a dedicated educator. He is an Adjunct Lecturer of Music at Drew University in Madison, NJ, where he teaches saxophone, jazz ensemble, Jazz History, and World Music. Jim served as the head counselor and instructor for William Paterson University’s Summer Jazz Improvisation Camp from 2001-2007, where he taught jazz improvisation, coached a small group, and taught saxophone lessons. Additionally, he teaches a full schedule of private saxophone, flute, and clarinet students in the northern New Jersey area. Jim is also an author, having written for Down Beat magazine. His extensive masters thesis, “Stylistic Aspects in the Improvisations of Tenor Saxophonist Warne Marsh” is currently seeking publication. Jim is a current DMA (Jazz Arts Advancement) candidate at Manhattan School of Music.
Awards
"Top ten jazz CD's of 2007" - The Boston Globe
“Critics picks, top jazz CD’s of 2007” - Jazz Times
Jim Saltzman is another gifted, pyrotechnical tenor player out of the Coltrane-Brecker school, one who, based on the evidence of this striking debut recording and all-original program, bears close watching. When he backs off on his sound, he displays an appealing, warm middle register, but for the most part the emphasis here is on high-energy, intense playing. Saltzman shows impressive control of harmonics, occasionally employing multiphonics, and his command of the altissimo register would likely give some alto players an ...
An accomplished sideman (Dave Valentin, James Spaulding, Claudio Roditi) and a graduate of William Paterson University's acclaimed jazz studies program, woodwind multi-instrumentalist Jim Saltzman is a mainstay of the New York and Philadelphia jazz scenes. With a resume like his, the fact that Saltzman's playing is as self-assured as any national act is no surprise. The more pleasant surprise is the quality of the originals he brings to Hidden Intentions--all of them delivered by a hard-hitting quartet that thinks and ...
"An infectious collection of original postmodern jazz from a quartet of great
young players led by a
saxophonist I had never heard of before. These guys play with passion and
intensity." - Steve Greenlee,
The Boston Globe
"If anything, Saltzman's compositions are all about confronting hidden
intentions with blatant honesty.
Honesty must be the best policy, because Hidden Intentions is as honest as
you're ever going to find. In
an age where integrity usually runs second to marketability, Jim Saltzman
takes the road less traveled.
And that makes all the difference." - J Hunter, All About Jazz
"An infectious collection of original postmodern jazz from a quartet of great
young players led by a
saxophonist I had never heard of before. These guys play with passion and
intensity." - Steve Greenlee,
The Boston Globe
"If anything, Saltzman's compositions are all about confronting hidden
intentions with blatant honesty.
Honesty must be the best policy, because Hidden Intentions is as honest as
you're ever going to find. In
an age where integrity usually runs second to marketability, Jim Saltzman
takes the road less traveled.
And that makes all the difference." - J Hunter, All About Jazz
"Jim Saltzman is another gifted, pyrotechnical tenor player out of the
Coltrane-Brecker school, one
who, based on the evidence of this striking debut recording and all-original
program, bears close
watching." - Samuel Chell, All About Jazz
"Hidden Intentions is innovative and has Saltzman and crew’s insignia
embossed all over it." - Susan
Frances, JazzReview.com
""...tenor saxophonist Jim Saltzman let loose - using cries, fast-ripped
phrases, leaping lines and more
to tell his story." - Zan Stewart The Star-Ledger
"Jim Saltzman is a strong tenor player...“Open The Open Door,” a strutting
soprano sax and electric
piano workout; the driving “No Fault” and “What May Come Of This?”; and the
touching wooden flute
feature “Losing Sight.” - Jerome Wilson, Cadence
"This new recording project may finally be the break-through for composer
and saxophonist Jim
Saltzman. It is a shame that he is not more widely recognized and
appreciated.The overall sound might
be described as muscular and full: individual contributions are both inventive
and deliberate. There is
hardly a wasted note or slight hesitation.This is creative jazz at it's best.
Lunch for your ears!!" -Tim
Price, Saxophone Journal
Adjunct Lecturer of Music at Drew University (Saxophone, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz
History, World Music)
William Paterson University’s Summer Jazz Improvisation Camp (Head counselor,
Jazz Improvisation, Small
Group, Saxophone since 2001)
The Litchfield Jazz Festival Summer Music School (Saxophone, Jazz Theory,
Small Group - 2004)
Private saxophone, flute, and clarinet instruction for over 11 years.
Lessons are $65 an hour.
Clinic/Workshop Information
Available for master classes that can cover just about anything from saxophone
specific topics (tone
development, intonation, repertoire, etc.), how to get the most out of your
practice session, to rehearsing
jazz bands and being a guest soloist.
Also available to give a lecture on saxophonist Warne Marsh (“Warne Marsh:
Explorations – His World of
Voice-Leading and Rhythmic/Harmonic Displacement”).
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