Born: July 25, 1970 Primary Instrument: Sax, alto
“Something about the sound Mike DiRubbo elicits from the alto saxophone - deep, dark, immense, with a machete edge that denotes a ready-for-anything urban sensibility - immediately grabs the ear. It’s a sound familiar to the cream of New York’s hardcore jazz community since the mid-‘90’s” writes Ted Panken.
Born on July 25, 1970 in New Haven, Connecticut, DiRubbo began his musical life as a junior high school clarinetist, and switched to alto saxophone at 12. A primarily self-taught saxophonist, he developed into a talented instrumentalist drawn inexorably to the notion of improvising. At a high school band concert, Mike had the opportunity to perform with the Dwike Mitchell - Willie Ruff duo, an experience that would add to his desire to be a professional musician and also spark his interest in jazz music.
In the fall of 1988 DiRubbo entered the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz of the Hartt School, University of Hartford, where he studied the tradition and history of African-American music and earned a Bachelor of Music degree. Mike’s instructors included master saxophonist Jackie McLean, pianists Hotep Galeta and Peter Woodard, bassists Nat Reeves and Rick Rozie and classical saxophonist Ken Radnofsky.
DiRubbo has gone on to perform regularly as both a leader and a sideman in and around New York City and abroad in Europe and the Middle East. He can be seen regularly at clubs in NYC with his various groups at venues such as Smalls, Smoke, 55 Bar, the Kitano. Festivals he has performed at include the Litchfield Jazz Festival, the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, the Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz, the JVC Jazz Festival in NYC and the Jazz, Blues and Videotape festival in Tel Aviv, Ferrara Jazz in Italy, Ancona Jazz Festival, Jazz In’IT, etc. Some of the musicians he has performed and recorded with are: Cecil Payne, Eddie Henderson, Harold Mabern, Larry Willis, Ronnie Matthews, John Hicks, Steve Davis, Tony Reedus, Mike LeDonne, Dwayne Burno, David Hazeltine, Steve Nelson, Mario Pavone, Carl Allen, Michael Weiss, Peter Washington, Nat Reeves, Ugonna Okegwo, Jim Rotondi, Brian Charette, Joe Farnsworth, Eric Alexander, Anthony Wonsey, Brian Lynch, Peter Bernstein, Paul Bollenback, Ari Hoenig, Joe Magnarelli, John Swana, Ralph Bowen, Essiet Essiet, Rudy Royston, Matt Wilson, and Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown.
Mike has seven CDs as a leader: From the Inside Out (Sharp Nine Records 1999); Keep Steppin’ (Criss Cross Jazz 2001); Human Spirit (Criss Cross Jazz 2003); New York Accent (Cellar Live 2007); Repercussion (Posi-Tone Records 2009); “Chronos” (Posi-Tone Records 2011) and his latest, “Four Hands, One Heart' a duo recording with pianist Larry Willis on Mike's label, Ksanti Records.. He has also been featured on seven of trombonist Steve Davis’ recordings: The Jaunt; Crossfire; Vibe Up!; Systems Blue; Outlook; Live at Smalls and Images. Mike can also be heard as a sideman on the Fresh Sounds, Criss Cross, Double Time Jazz, Steeplechase and Knitting Factory labels. DiRubbo has been featured in articles, reviews, and interviews in magazines such as Saxophone Journal, Hothouse, Jazz Times, Downbeat, Jazz Journal, Cadence, Swing Journal, Jazz Folio, JazzWise, All Music Guide and All About Jazz.
Continuing the circle of knowledge, DiRubbo has been a resident artist at the Litchfield Jazz Camp since it’s inauguration in 1996. Most recently he has been a guest instructor at SUNY Purchase in NY, at William Patterson University’s jazz program, at New York University, at the Jackie McLean Institute and is a saxophone tutor at the New School in NYC. He has also conducted master-classes at Baldwin Wallace University in Ohio, Loyola University in New Orleans, and at the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz at the University of Hartford.
“The Grim Reaper’s pop was one bad dude and DiRubbo shows he can lead a New York sax trio and swing a sax like Chronos could swing a scythe.” - Chris Spector, The Midwest Record
“Mike DiRubbo plays with fire and intelligence, and his music dances with life.” Francis Davis, author of “Like Young”
“…a powerful, not-to-be-missed performer.” David A. Orthmann, allaboutjazz.com
“…certainly one of the most exciting young alto saxophonists to emerge in quite some time.” Chris Hovan, Jazz&Blues Report
“There is something inexplicably unique about his tunes. Whether it’s a ballad, a midtempo jaunt or an uptempo cooker, once you get a feel for his style his songs become instantly recognizable. That’s a trait that few modern jazz composers possess, and it wouldn’t surprise me if some of his tunes were to be considered jazz standards some day.” Roman St. James, JazzReview.com
“…the performances are first class all the way, melodic and inventive, and without a misplaced note…His tone is clear, his sound large and round, and his notes immaculately selected.” Steven Loewy, Cadence
“Mike DiRubbo is a powerful young altoist currently making a name for himself in New York…everything, including ballads, grooves with a bluesy, bop-based edge.” Chuck Berg, JazzTimes
“…unusually rich alto sound.” “There are few people who can play this kind of music this well. A real pleasure.” David R. Adler, All Music Guide
“He has his own unique sound on the saxophone…his expansive musical vocabulary exhibits a solid foundation in the bebop tradition that has been judiciously elevated through a liberal addition of post-Coltrane modality “ Russ Musto, AllAboutJazz-New York
FOUR HANDS, ONE HEART
Ksanti Records
2011
Tracks: Introspection; Pristine; The Maji; 'Round Midnight; Star Eyes; Peace; Milestones; Alone Together.
Personnel: Mike DiRubbo: Alto Saxophone; Larry Willis: Piano.
CHRONOS
Posi-Tone
2011
Tracks: Minor Progress; Chronos; Lilt; Rituals; Nouveau; Lucky 13; Excellent Taste; Eight for Elvin; More Physical.
Personnel: Mike DiRubbo: Alto Saxophone, soprano saxophone track 9; Brian Charette: Organ; Rudy Royston: Drums.
REPERCUSSION
Posi-Tone
2009
Tracks: Repercussion; The Duke; Lunar; Highbridge Lullaby; Nightfall; Deja Vu; Too Late Now; Nelsonian; Pisces Rising.
Personnel: Mike DiRubbo: Alto Saxophone; Steve Nelson: Vibraphone; Dwayne Burno: Bass; Tony Reedus: Drums.
New York Accent
Cellar Live
2007
Tracks: Clarity; The Sage; New Year's Dream; Ray's Idea; Prelude To A Kiss; She's Always A Woman; Better Days.
Personnel: Mike DiRubbo: Alto & Soprano Saxophone; Harold Mabern: Piano; Dwayne Burno: Bass; Tony Reedus: Drums.
Human Spirit
Criss Cross Jazz
2003
Tracks: Transfer; Moon River; Human Spirit; Minor March; North Shore Reflections; Bossa For Baby; Throwback; Down.
Personnel: Mike DiRubbo: Alto Saxophone; Jim Rotondi: Trumpet & Flugel Horn; David Hazeltine: Piano; Peter Washington: Bass; Joe Farnsworth: Drums.
Keep Steppin'
Criss Cross Jazz
2001
Tracks: Encounter; Introspection; Keep Steppin'; The End Of A Love Affair; Sunset; Around The Way; Mike's Move; Solar; Bittersuite.
Personnel: Mike DiRubbo: Alto Saxophone; Jim Rotondi: Trumpet; Mike LeDonne: Piano; Dwayne Burno: Bass; Joe Farnsworth: Drums.
From The Inside Out
Sharp Nine
1999
Tracks: From The Inside Out; Rue de la Harpe; Role Reversal; You're A Weaver Of Dreams; Blues To Your Old Country; Over The Rainbow; The Search Within; For First; Bebop
Personnel: Mike DiRubbo: Alto Saxophone; Steve Davis: Trombone; Bruce Bart: Piano; Nat Reeves: Bass; Carl Allen: Drums.
As A Side Musician BR>
Images
Stev Davis Quintet
Positone Records
2010
Steeplechase Jam Session, Vol. 29
Steeplechase Records
2010
Live at Smalls
Steve Davis Quintet
Smalls Live
2010
Blueprint
Lauren Sevian
Inner Circle Music
2009
Outlook
Steve Davis Quintet
Posi-Tone Records
2008
Peaceful Moments
Emiko Ohara
Emiko Ohara
2008
Systems Blue
Steve Davis Quintet
Criss Cross Jazz
2002
Totem Blues
Mario Pavone Octet
Knitting Factory Records
2001
Reverance
Jim Rotondi Quintet
Criss Cross Jazz
2001
The Returnsman
Craig Wuepper Quintet
Double-Time Jazz
2001
Seventh Sign
Mary DiPaola-Davis Quintet
Mary DiPaola-Davis
2000
States
Andrew Adair Sextet
Fresh Sounds
1999
Vibe Up!
Steve Davis Sextet
Criss Cross Jazz
1998
Crossfire
Steve Davis Sextet
Criss Cross Jazz
1997
The Jaunt
Steve Davis Sextet
Criss Cross Jazz
1995
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Primary Instrument:
Sax, alto
Location:
Bronx, NY
Willing to teach:
Beginners
