Born: July 27, 1956 Primary Instrument: Sax, baritone
Dale Fielder is an American jazz saxophonist, composer and band leader. He is a multi-instrumentalist who plays all four saxophones: soprano, alto, tenor and baritone with equal authority. He is known for his original compositions and choice of performing rare, obscure jazz classics as well as his varied group concepts and variety of presentations. Fielder has recorded over 13 CDs as a leader for various labels since he first appeared on the national jazz scene in 1993 with his first CD Free Flow. Fielder is also a product of the University of Pittsburgh Jazz Studies Program, where he studied as an ethnomusicology major under Dr. Nathan Davis. In 1996, he recorded a national top-ten CD, Dear Sir: Tribute To Wayne Shorter to widespread critical acclaim. Selected as BET’s 1999 Jazz Discovery winner, Fielder has taped several subsequent video appearances and shows for BET. His 2005 CD, Baritone Sunride also received international attention bringing Fielder recognition as one of the top new baritone saxophonists in jazz. His July 2007 release DFQ~Plays The Music Of Pepper Adams, continues to document his classic jazz quartet, with legendary jazz pianist Jane Getz, that as of 2011 is celebrating their 16th consecutive year together. His current CD Stellar Moments was released in 2010. In 2011 Fielder is touring with his new Tribute Quintet performing his Donald Byrd/Pepper Adams Quintet Project. Their new CD 'Each Time I Think Of You' will be released spring 2012.
Awards:
BET jazz discovery winner 1999
Fielder comes out of the gate blowing hard, aggressive, ferociously swinging tenor and with that blows away any preconceived notions about west coast jazz musicians not being able to deal with the same depth as their east coast counterparts. Fielder’s tone is big and pungent, reminiscent of Trane’s and he possesses an impressive command of his instrument in both low and high registers. No happy jazz here, just a lot of serious dealing. --Bill Milkowski/JazzTimes Magazine
DEAR SIR finds Fielder fully ready to tackle the challenge of a CD program rendered in tribute to Wayne Shorter. Throughout these eleven pieces, the Dale Fielder Quartet gives a solid lie to the misguided notion that one has to be in New York to make significant jazz. DEAR SIR is likely something future generations of saxophonists will be addressing Dale Fielder by. He’s got it. --Willard Jenkins/JazzTimes Magazine
As a saxophonist, Fielder’s style lies somewhere between Shorter’s tensile fragility and Coltrane’s towering strength. He straddles this line well. --Robert Iannapollo/Cadence Magazine
His performances swing with dignified sounds and a sense of tradition, not to mention the kind of emotional content that great jazz demands. Seen earlier this month at Club Brasserie in West Hollywood’s Bel-Age hotel, the saxophonist and his combo took the roof off the place! --Bill Kohlhaase/LA Times
Dale Fielder attacks the rhythms on the alto saxophone with his dynamic solo-ability and eats up bop solos like pancakes! --Glenn Davis/LA Watts Times
Here’s something of a rarity, a debut disc from the west coast by a young black saxophonist that bears no hints of fuzak or funk trappings wrapped in a palm tree mentality. This is updated and unrepentant hard bop of the Blue Note mold. Fielder’s main instrument is the alto which he invests with a tart tone in the manner of Mr. McLean while constructing idea-filled phrases rooted in the Charlie Parker continuum. His compositions are dotted with twists remindful of Wayne Shorter scripts. This California reedman has come up with something more than a mere slice of nostalgia for the scotch and slippers set. I say more power to him! --Larry Hollis/Cadence Magazine
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Primary Instrument:
Sax, baritone
Location:
Altadena, CA
Willing to teach:
Intermediate to advanced students
Credentials/Background:
University of Pittsburgh Ethnomusicology Major /
Yamaha School Of Music (LA,CA)
Currently: Jupiter Band Instruments Educational Clinician /
Brentwood (CA) High School Master Classes /
Lincoln Park Performing Art Center Master Classes (2010)
Clinic/Workshop Information:
Educational Clinician for Jupiter Band Intruments.
Talk and teach basics of jazz improvisation.
Have students perform with Quartet and critique each student.
For Clinics or a masterclass please contact Jupiter Artist Management at 512-288-2979 x22 www.jupitermusic.com
