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Jim Saltzman

Jim Saltzman is quickly becoming a powerful force on the New York jazz scene. His versatility and forward thinking have led to Jim’s open-minded, eclectic collaborations with some of the most engaging players of his generation. Born in Pequannock, NJ, Jim received his B.M. in Jazz and Commercial Music (Performance) from the University of the Arts in 2000, and his M.M. in Jazz Studies (Performance) from William Paterson University in 2002, where he was the first saxophonist to complete the graduate program. While attending both schools, he studied with David Demsey, Don Braden, James Williams, Ron Kerber, Frank Mazzeo, Bill Zaccagni, and Rich DeRosa. Jim has also studied privately with Seamus Blake, Rich Perry, and Kenny Werner. As a member of the BMI Jazz Composers Workshop led by Jim McNeely and Mike Holober, he was awarded the prestigious 2011 BMI Foundation Charlie Parker Composition Prize for his composition, “Road To Zion.” His most recent CD of original compositions, Hidden Intentions was chosen as one of the “Top Ten Jazz CD’s of 2007” by the Boston Globe, and was listed in the “Critics Picks, Top Jazz CD’s of 2007” by Jazz Times. Jim has also recorded two additional CD’s, “Along the Way” (2000), and “Aggregate” (2003),and has performed with Don Braden, Jim McNeely, George Coleman, James Moody, Grover Washington, Jr., Eddie Gomez, Jon Faddis, David Berkman, John Benitez, Jeff Hirschfield, Claudio Roditi, Vanessa Rubin, and many others. He has been a member and contributing composer/arranger of the Cecil’s Big Band for over seven years. In addition to his busy performing schedule, Jim is also a dedicated educator. He is an Adjunct Lecturer of Music at Drew University in Madison, NJ, where he teaches saxophone, jazz ensemble, Jazz History, and World Music. Jim served as the head counselor and instructor for William Paterson University’s Summer Jazz Improvisation Camp from 2001-2007, where he taught jazz improvisation, coached a small group, and taught saxophone lessons. Additionally, he teaches a full schedule of private saxophone, flute, and clarinet students in the northern New Jersey area. Jim is also an author, having written for Down Beat magazine. His extensive masters thesis, “Stylistic Aspects in the Improvisations of Tenor Saxophonist Warne Marsh” is currently seeking publication. Jim is a current DMA (Jazz Arts Advancement) candidate at Manhattan School of Music.

Awards

"Top ten jazz CD's of 2007" - The Boston Globe “Critics picks, top jazz CD’s of 2007” - Jazz Times


Tags

103
Album Review

Jim Saltzman: Hidden Intentions

Read "Hidden Intentions" reviewed by Samuel Chell


Jim Saltzman is another gifted, pyrotechnical tenor player out of the Coltrane-Brecker school, one who, based on the evidence of this striking debut recording and all-original program, bears close watching. When he backs off on his sound, he displays an appealing, warm middle register, but for the most part the emphasis here is on high-energy, intense playing. Saltzman shows impressive control of harmonics, occasionally employing multiphonics, and his command of the altissimo register would likely give some alto players an ...

194
Album Review

Jim Saltzman: Hidden Intentions

Read "Hidden Intentions" reviewed by J Hunter


An accomplished sideman (Dave Valentin, James Spaulding, Claudio Roditi) and a graduate of William Paterson University's acclaimed jazz studies program, woodwind multi-instrumentalist Jim Saltzman is a mainstay of the New York and Philadelphia jazz scenes. With a resume like his, the fact that Saltzman's playing is as self-assured as any national act is no surprise. The more pleasant surprise is the quality of the originals he brings to Hidden Intentions--all of them delivered by a hard-hitting quartet that thinks and ...

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136

Performance / Tour

Jim Saltzman Quartet at Louis 649

Jim Saltzman Quartet at Louis 649

Source: All About Jazz


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Performance / Tour

Jim Saltzman Group at Greenwich Village Bistro - Saturday July 9, 2005

Jim Saltzman Group at Greenwich Village Bistro  - Saturday  July 9, 2005

Source: All About Jazz


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Event

Jim Saltzman Group at Kavehaz - Friday June 3, 2005

Jim Saltzman Group at Kavehaz - Friday June 3, 2005

Source: All About Jazz


"An infectious collection of original postmodern jazz from a quartet of great young players led by a saxophonist I had never heard of before. These guys play with passion and intensity." - Steve Greenlee, The Boston Globe

"If anything, Saltzman's compositions are all about confronting hidden intentions with blatant honesty. Honesty must be the best policy, because Hidden Intentions is as honest as you're ever going to find. In an age where integrity usually runs second to marketability, Jim Saltzman takes the road less traveled. And that makes all the difference." - J Hunter, All About Jazz

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Primary Instrument

Saxophone

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

Adjunct Lecturer of Music at Drew University (Saxophone, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz History, World Music) William Paterson University’s Summer Jazz Improvisation Camp (Head counselor, Jazz Improvisation, Small Group, Saxophone since 2001) The Litchfield Jazz Festival Summer Music School (Saxophone, Jazz Theory, Small Group - 2004) Private saxophone, flute, and clarinet instruction for over 11 years. Lessons are $65 an hour.

Clinic/Workshop Information

Available for master classes that can cover just about anything from saxophone specific topics (tone development, intonation, repertoire, etc.), how to get the most out of your practice session, to rehearsing jazz bands and being a guest soloist. Also available to give a lecture on saxophonist Warne Marsh (“Warne Marsh: Explorations – His World of Voice-Leading and Rhythmic/Harmonic Displacement”).

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Hidden Intentions

Jazz Excursion Records
2007

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Hidden Intentions

From: Hidden Intentions
By Jim Saltzman

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