Edward Neumeister

STATS Rank: 5,048 Views: 4,388

Born: September 1, 1952 Primary Instrument: Composer/conductor/leader

A longtime fixture on the New York, SF Bay Area and European and now Los Angeles jazz and classical scenes, Neumeister has been composing and leading his own groups since 1978.

Ed has recently assembled the crème de la crème of Los Angeles Jazz and Studio musicians into ENJO (Ed Neumeister Jazz Orchestra) to perform and record his works. Mostly commissioned from European Bands and Orchestras, with the exception of a few pieces currently being played by the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra where Neumeister played for almost 20 years, most of the pieces will be heard for the first time in the US including at least one World Premiere written especially for the premiere concert December 22 2008, at the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles.

As a composer Neumeister has received commissions from all over the world including: The Metropol Orkest (Netherlands), Hamburg Radio Big Band (Germany), Maribor Opera Orchestra (Slovenia), Vanguard Jazz Orchestra (New York), Milky Saxophone Quintet (Paris) and Sophisticated Ellington Project (Tokyo). He has received three grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, a grant from the Aaron Copland Fund and Commissions by, the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), International Associate for Jazz Education (IAJE), and a Grammy nomination.

He has received three grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, commissions by, the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), International Associate for Jazz Education (IAJE), and a Grammy nomination.

As a trombonist, Ed performed for 15 years in the Duke Ellington Orchestra under the direction of Mercer Ellington, 19 years with the Mel Lewis Big Band (which during Neumeister’s tenure became the multi Grammy-nominated Vanguard Jazz Orchestra). Neumeister has also performed and recorded with artists ranging from Jerry Garcia to Gerry Mulligan. Though considered by critics as a jazz player given his extensive resumé in that genre, Neumeister’s classical chops are second to none. Over the course of his career he has performed with the New York Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Ballet and many others in and around his native San Francisco Bay area and New York, his home of over 20 years.

Since 1992, Ed has been touring extensively both as a soloist and as a leader of The Ed Neumeister Quartet and The NeuHat Ensemble. Neumeister has recorded seven albums as a leader including modern big band, trombone quartet, chamber trio, jazz quartet and quintet as well as a concerto for cello and big band.

Neumeister is the founder of the NeuHat Ensemble in New York an 18-piece hybrid ensemble fusing 21st century classical, jazz, funk and freely improvised music with musicians of equally diverse backgrounds. The group is comprised of small big band, jazz trio and string quartet, which was a result of the ASCAP/IAJE commission honoring Ornette Coleman. The NeuHat Ensemble is a group that defies categorization. The group’s debut, “Wake Up Call,” was performed by New York-based players assembled and conducted by Neumeister in January 2006 at the 23rd Annual IAJE Conference (a joint commission by ASCAP and IAJE). The piece was composed and performed in honor of Ornette Coleman.

Neumeister has recorded seven albums as a leader including modern big band, trombone quartet, chamber trio, jazz quartet and quintet as well as a concerto for cello and big band.

Neumeister is currently living in Los Angeles composing music for film and TV as well as continuing with the above mentioned projects. The NeuHat Ensemble

Since that historic concert, the NeuHat Ensemble has been the centerpiece of Ed Neumeister’s artistShare (www.edneumeister.com) website as well as his recent composition work. You can listen to both ArtistShare projects on Ed’s radio player.

Ed Neumeister is currently Professor of Jazz Trombone at the University of the Performing Arts in Graz, Austria.

Awards:

Grammy award nomination for arrangement of "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square", recorded on the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra CD "TOO YOU". Winner of THE 2006 ASCAP/IAJE Composition Commission in Honor of Ornette Coleman Received Aaron Copland Fund for Music Grant. Received three fellowship grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. One for composition,the others for performance.

Last Updated: August 19, 2010

“I want to tell you what a fantastic time we all had with Ed. His playing was nothing short of spectacular! I don't think that I have ever heard anyone play the trombone with such technical mastery, with such a great sound from the top to the bottom of the horn and with such originality. As with any virtuoso, his horn has become an extension of his being.

My band, Northern Arizona University Jazz One, had the opportunity to perform some of Ed's big band music - 3 original pieces and 2 arrangements of jazz standards. Each of the charts was a pleasure to learn and play. His writing is some of the freshest, most original and challenging music I have come across.

Ed gave two clinics both of which were very instructional, factual and full of fun. His second clinic, which dealt with trombone technique and style, was scheduled for an hour and went on for two! Faculty and students alike learned a great deal not only about trombone playing but also about music and the music business. He left no question unanswered.

Ed treated everyone here in Flagstaff with the utmost courtesy and was extremely generous with his time. He made a lasting impression on the NAU music community.
Sincerely,”
Joel Di Bartolo,
Director of Jazz Studies Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, Arizona

Someone asked me about influential teachers the other day, and I told them about my one lesson with you. I said I only took one lesson, and we mostly talked about how to practice, but I've applied stuff from that lesson every day since I took it, 12 years ago, or however long it was.
Jeff Albert,
Xavier University of Louisiana, Loyola University New Orleans, and the Music Academy for the Performings Arts.

My students are really making progress using these “NEW” exercises. Many thanks! My own playing is solidifying, too. You know the dilemma of trying to practice and teach, etc. They are the type of efficient exercises that really help. Me and my studio are grateful!
Dr. Allan Kaplan,
Director of Jazz Studies and Trombone Professor at New Mexico State University

Ed Neumeister was given by the students and the teachers the best credits of all the foreign visiting teachers we had this autumn.
Minna Huuskonen,
International Coordinator, Pop & Jazz Conservatory, Helsinki.

”Ed presented two superb clinics to groups of students who were inspired and enthusiastic about what they heard. His words of advice were timely, meaningful, and important to our students.

Ed Neumeister's performance at the evening concert was an incredible display of musicianship and technique. His performance was enthusiastically received by a large audience of students, professional musicians and non-musicians.

He displayed integrity, inspiring musical ability and excellent communication skills.”
Dave Eshelman,
Director of Jazz Studies, California State University, Hayward.

(Ed Neumeister)..gave a most unusual, entertaining and enlightening clinic. Everyone who attended was impressed and inspired by his playing.
.....It was a wonderful class, and he opened up a whole new area for many of our students, with his jazz improvisations.
Marsha Ehrlich,
Master Class Coordinator, San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

Ed's residency was one of the most positive situations we have had since we began this program five or six years ago.

Whether he is lecturing, performing or conducting rehearsals, Ed is a very articulate individual with a kind demeanor and a pleasing personality; a n d he is truly one of America's premiere jazz trombonists!
Albert Hamme,
Director of Jazz Studies, State University of New York, Binghamton.

...Ed Neumeisters' arrangement of Bartóks' String Quartet No. 4 is a tour-de-fource in arranging skill.
International Trombone Journal

”The audience was enthralled, as Neumeister created the impression that his stream of ideas and energy was endless......
...The fire and energy created by his angular, rhythmically-charged rendition of the jazz standard, All the Things You Are, made audience members sit forward in their seats. His duet with drummer Vollbauer was truly a special moment.”
International Trombone Journal

Neumeister's technique is amazing and in the very fast tempos the audience was completely knocked out....(he) created some of the best jazz-solos I have ever heard.
KVÄLLSPOSTEN, Malmö, Sweden April 1995

”Neumeister blows his brass fantasies around tunes of his own compositions or, more often, seldom played jazz standards: close-ups of harmonies and serious “cantos”, aggressive phrasings and brooding speculations, biting cadences and creamy smoothness. A splendid juggler of brass music.”
- Robert Urmann, Linz, Austria

Selected Discography (as composer & arranger):

Reflection
The Ed Neumeister Quartet
ArtistShare

New Standards
The Ed Neumeister Quartet
MeisteroMusic

Fantasy for Cello & Big Band
Friedrick Kleihapl soloist
Ars Recordings

Here & There
JBBG plays the Music of Ed Neumeister
Mons recordings

The Mohican and the Great Spirit
Ed Neumeister Trio
TCB Records

Metro Music
The Ed Neumeister Quintet
Timescraper Music

Collage
The New York Trombone Quartet
TNC Recordings

TOO YOU
Mel Lewis
Music Masters

Selected Discography (as Trombonist):

Reflection
The Ed Neumeister Quartet
ArtistShare

New Standards
The Ed Neumeister Quartet
MeisteroMusic Productions

The Mohican and the Great Spirit
Ed Neumeister Trio
TCB Records

Metro Music
The Ed Neumeister Quintet
Timescraper Music

Collage
The New York Trombone Quartet
TNC Recordings

Can I Persuade You
The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra
New World Records

Thad Jones Legact
The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra
New World Records

Lickety Split
The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra
New World Records

Neal Kirkwood Octet
Timescraper Records

Sunny's Time Now and More
Sunny Murray
Jazzette Records

Mays in Manhattan
Bill Mays
Concord Records

Big City Magic
Bruce Williamson
Timeless Records

Music is my Mistress
Duke Ellington Orchestra
Music Masters

Hot and Bothered
Mercer Ellington
Doctor Jazz

20 Years at the Village Vanguard
Mel Lewis
Atlantic Records

Soft Lights and Hot Music
Mel Lewis
Music Masters Records

The Definitive Thad Jones
Volumes 1 & 2
Mel Lewis
Music Masters

TOO YOU
Mel Lewis Music Masters

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:
Composer/conductor/leader

Location:
Los Angeles, CA

Willing to teach:
Intermediate to advanced students

Credentials/Background:
Check out the videos on YouTube. Ed is available for private lessons in person and via video conference. Contact Ed for times and rates

Clinic/Workshop Information:
Ed is a long time clinician for King Trombones, currently through Conn-Selmer Corporation.

King Silver Sonic 3B, Conn 88H

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