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Julius Tolentino

The sounds of yesterday, today, and tomorrow are generated from the mind and soul of Julius Tolentino. With sophisticated technique and skilled interpretation, Julius creates a sound that is unique while also based on tradition. Composer and performer, Julius builds a rapport with his audience and strives to produce an authentic portrayal of jazz music. Born in Bloomfield, NJ, Julius started studying piano at the age of 7. He continued his musical endeavors, which included clarinet when he was 10. By 13 Julius made the transition to alto saxophone. It was with this instrument that Julius began to explore his love for jazz. While in high school, Julius performed in regional and all-state bands and won over a dozen soloist awards. To further his musical career Julius applied to the Hartt School of Music with the desire to study with jazz legend Jackie McLean. Julius was pleased to learn of his acceptance and scholarship to the program. Upon graduation Julius moved to New York and has continued his career performing with Philip Harper, Antonio Hart, Vanessa Rubin, Cecil Bridgewater, Charlie Persip, Dion Parsons, Eric Reed, Marcus Printup, Craig Handy, Billy Drummond, Wes Anderson, Wycliffe Gordon, The Duke Ellington Orchestra, Kevin Mahogany, Christian McBride, Natalie Cole, Cecil Brooks III, Kioshi Kitagawa, Marleena Shaw, and Cyrus Chestnut. In 1999 Julius joined the highly acclaimed Illinois Jacquet Big Band performing, touring, and recording with the jazz legend for 5 years. Julius was chosen to be apart of a recording (Sharp Nine, "On The Loose") showcasing the young lions on the New York scene released in 2001. Since then he has toured all over the US, Europe, South America, and the Middle East. Julius has played in the top jazz venues and festivals in the US, which includes Avery Fisher Hall, the Newport Jazz Festival, Tanglewood, the Village Vanguard, Birdland, Blue Note, the Jazz Standard and Dizzy’s Coca Cola. As a leader his debut cd “Just the Beginning” on the Sharp Nine label peaked at #8 on the jazz charts in 2006. Julius is dedicated to jazz education and is currently the Jazz Director at Newark Academy a private school in Livingston, NJ and the Director of Large Ensembles at Jazz House Kids in Montclair. As a Vandoren, P Mauriat and RS Berklee artist he has conducted region jazz bands and has been a guest artist/clinician for numerous summer jazz programs.

Awards

"Inside NJ", The Best of New Jersey,- category Jazz Musician; Illinois Jacquet Educator of the Year- 2013


Tags

150
Live Review

Julius Tolentino Quartet at Cecil's Jazz Club

Read "Julius Tolentino Quartet at Cecil's Jazz Club" reviewed by David A. Orthmann


Julius Tolentino Quartet Cecil's Jazz Club West Orange, NJ June 22, 2007

A number of teenagers formed a semicircle around the bandstand during alto saxophonist Julius Tolentino's opening set at Cecil's Jazz Club, one anxiously fingering his horn in anticipation of sitting in. Only a decade or so older than the youngsters who hung on his every note, Tolentino is an accomplished soloist whose stylistic inclinations are converging in fascinating ways. The Jackie McLean ...

296
Album Review

Julius Tolentino: Just the Beginning

Read "Just the Beginning" reviewed by Eric J. Iannelli


Bolder claims have been made than the one alto saxophonist Julius Tolentino makes in the title of his debut CD as leader, and on more than one occasion by musicians without the chops to back them up. That isn't the case here. At a baby-faced thirty years of age, surrounded by a group of veteran and rising talents such as trombonist Steve Davis and trumpeter Jeremy Pelt, Tolentino has recorded a fine album of appealing hard bop that is testament ...

450
Extended Analysis

Julius Tolentino: Just the Beginning

Read "Julius Tolentino: Just the Beginning" reviewed by David A. Orthmann


Julius Tolentino Just the Beginning Sharp Nine Records 2005

Julius Tolentino is a 30 year-old alto saxophonist who has served a traditional apprenticeship--New York City style--in big bands (Illinois Jacquet, The Ellington Orchestra), small groups (Eric Reed, Jeremy Pelt), as well as leading jam sessions and his own quartet at Cleopatra's Needle, a club that nurtures young, straight-ahead-oriented players. From the sound of his horn on his debut as a leader, Just the Beginning, ...

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112

Performance / Tour

Julius Tolentino at Smoke Nov. 17

Julius Tolentino at Smoke Nov. 17

Source: All About Jazz

Come celebrate the CD release of Julius Tolentino's debut recording on the Sharp Nine Record Labe! “Just the Beginning" Thursday Nov 17, 2005 SMOKE 2751 Broadway New York, NY 212-864-6662 Julius Tolentino Sextet featuring Jeremy Pelt- trumpet Steve Davis- trombone Jeb Patton- piano David Wong- bass Pete VanNostrand- drums Fri & Sat Nov 18 & 19, 2005 Cecil's Jazz Club 364 Valley Road West Orange, NJ (973) 736-4800 Julius Tolentino Quintet featuring Steve Davis- trombone Jeb Patton- piano David Wong- ...

102

Performance / Tour

Julius Tolentino Thursday Nov 17 + Cecil's Fri & Sat Nov 18 & 19

Julius Tolentino Thursday Nov 17 + Cecil's Fri & Sat Nov 18 & 19

Source: All About Jazz

Julius...this is how it wil look when it goes out...Jim November 15, 2005 To: Listings/Critics/Features From: JAZZ PROMO SERVICES Press Contact: JIM EIGO, [email protected] Listen to Julius live on the radio from noon to 1pm on WKCR 89.9 November 17th Come celebrate the CD release of Jat Smoke ulius Tolentino's debut recording on the Sharp Nine Record Label “Just the Beginning". Thursday Nov 17, 2005 SMOKE 2751 Broadway New York, NY 212-864-6662 Julius Tolentino Sextet featuring Jeremy Pelt- trumpet Steve ...

171

Technology

Saxophonist Julius Tolentino Launches New Website

Saxophonist Julius Tolentino Launches New Website

Source: All About Jazz

February 3, 2005 To: Listings/Critics/Features From: JAZZ PROMO SERVICES Press Contact: JIM EIGO, [email protected] Saxophonist Julius Tolentino Launches New Website Saxophonist Julius Tolentino has made his mark on the jazz scene since his arrival to NY in 1997 apprenticing with bandleaders Eric Reed and Illinois Jacquet. Since then he has performed with such distinguished artists such as, Philip Harper, Antonio Hart, Vanessa Rubin, Cecil Bridgewater, Charlie Persip, Dion Parsons, Marcus Printup, Craig Handy, Billy Drummond, Wes Anderson, Wycliffe Gordon, The ...

David Franklin, Jazz Times- "The altoist cites Jackie McLean as a mentor, and McLean's influence is immediately apparent in Tolentino's tightly focused, pleasantly piercing tone, much like those of McLean and Kenny Garrett." David Orthmand, All About Jazz- "Tolentino's maturity and willingness to make the record more than just a showcase for his own talent is apparent as he shares the writing, arranging, and solo space with an able crew of band mates. Another positive sign is the patience and attention to detail he puts into sculpting improvisations."

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Just the Beginning

Sharp Nine Records
2006

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Julius Tolentino:...

Sharp Nine Records
2005

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