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Vinnie Cutro

Vinnie Cutro, born in New Jersey in 1953, received his formal musical training throughout the years and continued his education at New Jersey University where he received his B.A in Music Education. Then his working education began as a freelance musician in the New York Area. He later continued his education at New York University where he received his Masters in Jazz Performance.There he furthered his studies in jazz composition, classical studies, jazz arranging and counterpoint with Dr. Tom Boras and Jim McNeely.

During the past 30 years Vinnie Cutro has performed with noted jazz greats such as HORICE SILVER, BUDDY RICH and LIONEL HAMPTON. He has traveled extensively throughout the world appearing at jazz festivals and concerts in Europe, Japan, Africa, Canada, South America and the U.S.A.

As a member of the Lionel Hampton Quintet,he performed guest appearances with various symphonic orchestras in the U.S.A such as the Colombus Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and the Omaha Symphony.

His first CD release as a leader (Blues for the Optimist, West Side Records 1995) featured jazz artists such as Bob Mintzer, Jim McNeely, Victor Jones, and Mike Richmond. It contains seven original compositions by the leader plus two new arrangements of John Coltrane's “Giant Steps” and “Naima.”

His second CD release ABBERATION features Mike Stern (guitar), Bob Farrel (trombone), Martin Wind (bass), Sarah Jane Cion (piano), Victor Jones (drums) and Mitch Schechter (piano).

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Vinnie Cutro Trumpet
Live Review
Album Review
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Vinnie Cutro--a powerhouse musician of vigor and invention--shines on Sakura, his fifth CD.

Here--working with an ace crew of tenor saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi, trombonist Bob Ferrel, pianists Charles Blenzig and Mitch Schechter, bassist Jay Anderson, and drummer Billy Hart--Cutro offers six vibrant originals, three reworked jazz standards, and a vital interpretation of a Japanese folk song.

The trumpeter--whose inspirations include Woody Shaw and Lee Morgan-- talks about the improvisational and compositional concepts heard on Sakura. “While I always keep the basic elements of structure and swing, I’m experimenting more with intervals, like 4ths, 5ths, major sevenths,” he says. “Those challenging intervals create a more open, more modern sound.” Indeed, Sakura is packed with engaging, potent music, music that mixes rich melodic warmth with the bristling excitement of adventurous ideas

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Primary Instrument

Trumpet

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

EDUCATOR

BA Music Education
New Jersey City University

MA Arts
New York University

New York University
Adjunct Trumpet Teacher

General Music Teacher
Jersey City Public School System

Instrumental Music Teacher
Hackensack Public School System

Guest Soloist/Staff Clinician
Jazz Vermont Camp/Jazz Festival
Killington,Vermont
2007
2008

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GUEST SOLOIST / CLINICIAN

Bergen Catholic Highschool Jazzband
Trumpets Jazz Club
Montclair.NJ
2/5/09

Hanover Park High School Jazz Ensemble
Hanover Park,NJ
Mr. Dave Martin,Director
2008

Bergen Catholic Highschool Jazzband
Bergen Catholic Highschool
12/18/07

Rockland Youth Jazz Ensemble
Trumpets Jazz Club
Montclair.NJ
12/9/07

Guest Soloist/Staff Clinician Jazz Vermont Camp/Jazz Festival
Killington,Vermont
July 15-19,2007

Bergen Catholic Highschool Jazz Ensemble
Trumpets Jazz Club
Montclair,NJ
3/1/07

Rockland Youth Jazz Ensemble
Riverspace Arts Center
Nyack,NY
2/25/07

Rockland Youth Jazz Ensemble
Congers,NY
1/30/07

Wall Township Highschool Jazz Ensemble
Wall Township,NJ

Scotchplains / Fanwood Highschool Jazz Ensemble
Scotchplains,NJ

Morristown Highschool / Middleschool Jazz Ensemble
Morristown,NJ

Randolph Highschool Jazz Band
Randolph,NJ

Bergen Catholic Highschool Jazz Ensemble
Oradell.NJ

Hanover Park High School Jazz Ensemble
Hanover Park,NJ
Mr. Dave Martin,Director
1998

Rockland Youth Ensemble
Congers,NY

Whippany High school Jazz Ensemble
Whippany,NJ

Randolph Highschool Jazz Ensemble
Randolph,NJ

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LESSONS / PRIVATE INSTRUCTIONS

Classical Sudies

Techniques in the development of :

* Tone
* Lip Flexibility
* Tongue Techniques
* Upper Register Development
* Finger flexibility
* Interpretation

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Jazz Improvisation

Study the Systematic approach to Jazz Improvisation

* Chord Studies
* Scale Application
* Patterns
* Transcribed Solos
* Jazz Standards
* Blues Study
* Rhythm/Space
* Jazz Improvisation Concepts
* Jazz Styles * Practice techniques/concepts
* Intervalic Study

Clinic/Workshop Information

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Albums

Album Sakura by Vinnie Cutro

Sakura

Self Produced
2008

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Aberration

Twinz Records
2002

buy

Watch

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