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Mace Hibbard
Grammy award winning saxophonist/composer/educator Mace Hibbard has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting and versatile saxophonists on the scene today. As one journalist succinctly commented, "Hibbard is an artist who uses his technical mastery, compositional skills, and informed understanding of the jazz saxophone lineage, to create musical offerings that are truly unique."
Born and raised in Waco, Texas, early music lessons included piano and voice until settling on the saxophone at age ten. Mace’s firm grasp of the history of jazz and its standard repertoire comes from the gigs he played with his father - Dave Hibbard, a great trumpet player who was a staple in the Texas jazz scene for years - throughout his teen years. From there, he attended the University of Texas in Austin, where he earned a Bachelors degree in Musical Performance and a Masters degree in Jazz Studies. While in Austin, Mace developed as a composer and formed Odd Man Out, who released their self-titled debut on Viewpoint Records in 2000. In addition to his growing jazz career, it was during this time that Hibbard began developing his reputation as a outstanding performer in all genres, playing in ensembles as diverse as The Austin Symphony, singer-songwriter Drew Smith, The Creative Opportunity Orchestra, and The Stingers.
After 10 years of being one of the most sought after woodwind players in Austin, Mace relocated to Atlanta, Georgia in the summer of 2003 where he is continuing his reputation as a gifted soloist, and solid performer on all saxophones, flute, and clarinet. In 2008, the Mace Hibbard Quintet was selected to play at the Atlanta Jazz Festival as the winner of the Future of Jazz Competition. In 2009, Mace was asked to perform in the Battle Royale celebration concert at the Savannah Music Festival where he was a featured soloist alongside such jazz luminaries as the Marcus Roberts Trio, The Clayton Brothers, Terrell Stafford, Scotty Barnhart, Jeff Clayton, Wycliffe Gordon and Andre Hayward.
Beginning in 2005, Hibbard began his association with The Derek Trucks Band and Soul Stew Revival with Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi. On select tours for the next five years, Mace was a featured soloist and horn arranger for the two bands. This union culminated in Hibbard winning a 2010 Grammy Award for his playing and horn arrangements on Already Free.. He is also featured on the critically acclaimed live album, Roadsongs, released in 2010 by The Derek Trucks Band.
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Mace Hibbard: The Hibbard/Wright Project
by Edward Blanco
Atlanta-based Grammy Award- winning saxophonist Mace Hibbard has been leading and recording with a formidable quintet for the past ten years while over that same period, Roswell, GA-based guitarist Trey Wright has led the 4-piece Athens/Atlanta-based Squat jazz band and is now leader of his own trio. What they both have in common is a creative rhythm section of bassist Marc Miller and drummer Marlon Patton. On the self-titled The Hibbard/Wright Project, both men leave their respective groups behind and ...
read moreMace Hibbard: Time Gone By
by Edward Blanco
Performing a selection of thoroughly modern jazz, inspired and influenced by the music of Cannonball Adderley, Miles Davis and Branford Marsalis, Atlanta-based saxophonist/composer Mace Hibbard delivers the creative and highly entertaining Time Gone By, his second album as leader and the follow-up to his critically-acclaimed debut, When Last We Met (CDBY, 2007). A busy sideman--in 2011 alone, appearing on albums by Joe Gransden's Big Band, trumpeter Melvin Jones (also a member of Hibbard's quintet) and keyboardist Bryant ...
read moreMace Hibbard: When Last We Met
by John Barron
Atlanta-based saxophonist Mace Hibbard hits the ground running with When We Last Met, an all original collection of hard-driving progressive jazz with contemporary overtones. The disc is imbued with strong lyricism and challenging, yet accessible grooves.
Hibbard has a boisterous feel with a seething growl for a tone. His edgy approach on the alto displays an in-depth understanding of past masters, especially Cannonball Adderley, and current trailblazers like Kenny Garrett. His powerhouse solo on the disc's raucous opener, ...
read moreMace Hibbard: When Last We Met
by Edward Blanco
When Last We Met is sure to make more than a ripple in the jazz world. Atlanta-based multi-instrumentalist and reed man Mace Hibbard is an educator and versatile musician who not only plays a passionate alto saxophone but also manifests ample talents and expressive voicing on soprano and tenor. A blues-based bebop player, Hibbard departs from this background by crafting an album of original modern straight-ahead jazz full of catchy melodies and soft ballads that can take your breath away.
read moreMace Hibbard - Time Gone by (2011)
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Something Else!
They say everything is bigger in Texas. Waco-born Mace Hibbard cuts an imposing figure, like someone who spent his Friday nights (and perhaps even Saturday afternoons) on the gridiron as a teenager. But to this son of notable Texas trumpet player Dave Hibbard, big" means the full, dulcet sounds coming out of his saxophone. The younger Hibbard didn't stay in the Lone Star State, and struck out to Atlanta and quickly making himself part of the music scene there, both ...
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- Joe Gransden - Internationally known trumpet player and vocalist
"This cd showcases a truly excellent set of performances. As advertised, Hibbard speaks with an authoritative voice that acknowledges the best traditions of jazz saxophone playing yet is fresh and inventive. With each tune Heriveaux, Leitch, Miller, Varnes, and Hibbard consistently generate and sustain a lively and engaging conversation that both informs and entertains.
Primary Instrument
Saxophone
Location
Atlanta
Willing to teach
Beginner to advanced
Credentials/Background
Mace Hibbard is currently on the faculty at Georgia State University, At Georgia State, he is the Instructor of Jazz Saxophone and Beginning Improvisation and is also heavily involved in both the combos and big bands. He is also in demand as a guest artist, clinician and adjudicator at both colleges and high schools around the country. His clinics cover a wide spectrum, including both classical and jazz saxophone performance, improvisation, combo interaction and big band saxophone sections. Mace is also available for private instruction for all ages