Born: September 6, 1964 Primary Instrument: Sax, tenor
Jeff Rupert is a freelance tenor saxophonist and a Yamaha Artist. His numerous recordings as a featured soloist include dates with Maynard Ferguson, Sam Rivers, Diane Schuur, Mel Torme, Benny Carter’s Grammy winning recording, Harlem Renaissance (Music Masters), and the New Jersey Blues band The Fins, to name just a few.
He has been featured on his own quartet recordings, Jeff Rupert, Jeff Rupert + Dirty Martini, Jeff Rupert & Kenny Drew Jr From Memphis to Mobile, in recordings with the Flying Horse Big Band, with blues group The Fins, and Jazz pianist, vocalist, and radio show host Judy Carmichael, among his many appearances.
His debut album,”Do That Again,” with The Jazz Professors, charted in the top ten of the JazzWeek charts in the Spring of 2013. He recorded “Jazz Town” with the Flying Horse Big Band in 2012, “From Memphis to Mobile” with Kenny Drew, Jr. in 2009, and “Save Your Love for Me” with Jeff Rupert + Dirty Martini in 2004. He's also been featured on recordings with Benny Carter, Diane Schuur, and Mel Tormé.
Jeff’s busy tour schedule includes performances in Europe, Scandinavia, Japan, the Middle East, South America, Australia, and New Zealand. Jeff is a long time member of Sam Rivers’ band, with whom he performed at Lincoln Center for Ed Bradley’s Jazz from Lincoln Center broadcast on NPR.
Jeff has been a featured soloist at the Chicago Blues festival, the Montreux Jazz festival, Montreux, Switzerland, the Montreux festival/Japan, the Lucerne Jazz festival, the Jamaica Jazz festival, The Aruba Jazz festival, Bishopstock, Devon, England, The Jubileums Blues festival, Hamar, Norway, The Pori Jazz Festival, Finland, The Guinness Jazz Festival, Cork Ireland, as well as numerous other festivals throughout the world.
Jeff’s performance schedule includes concerts with Ernestine Anderson, Kevin Mahogany, Benny Green, Ray Drummond, and Joe Farnsworth. In addition, Jeff was a member of the Jaguar International Jazz Series, New Zealand, with Joe La Barbera, Larry Koonse, John Fedchock, and Tom Warrington.
Rupert teamed up with Kenny Drew, Jr. and friends to record From Memphis to Mobile; a handful of original works by Rupert as well as a few impromptu classics. Release date to be announced.
Rupert continues his work collaborating with drummer Marty Morell from the Bill Evans Trio; a Tribute to Stan Getz and Bill Evans.
“Jeff Rupert, he is dynamite!” Mel Torme.
“Rupert is just the kind of soloist needed to spur a band on to heroic heights.” George Kanzler, music critic, The Star Ledger.
“From the moment I first heard Jeff Rupert with my band I considered him one of the great jazz players of today.” Maynard Ferguson.
"From Memphis to Mobile" - Jeff Rupert & Kenny Drew Jr. - Random Act (2009)
"Save Your Love for Me" - Jeff Rupert + Dirty Martini (2004)
"Bluesprint" - The Fins MAS Records (2000) The Fins "Superstar" MAS records. (2000) T-Bone " Don't Look Back" Ratamaque Records (1999)
Disclaimer: All About Jazz is not responsible for the accuracy of the discographical data at the website(s) provided. If a link is no longer valid, please contact discography@allaboutjazz.com. Thank you.
Primary Instrument:
Sax, tenor
Willing to teach:
Advanced students only.
Credentials/Background:
Jeff Rupert is a full professor and the Director of Jazz Studies at the University
of Central Florida.
Rupert Directs the Flying Horse Big Band, the Jazz Workshop, and teaches The
Evolution of Jazz and jazz saxophone majors, and works privately with a small
group of UCF students.
Clinic/Workshop Information:
Rupert is a highly sought-after clinician and adjudicator who offers a number of
clinics utilizing an integrated teaching method with students and professional
educators across the country. He has done clinics and workshops for the Florida
Music Educators Association (FMEA), and has served as a clinician at numerous
festivals and bandmasters' associations.
A few of note:
Harry Allen & Jeff Rupert; a Tribute to the Four Brothers
Jeff Rupert & Marty Morell; a Tribute to Stan Getz & Bill Evans
