Jimmy Greene on Saxscape Mouthpieces
"I believe that sound is the single most identifiable attribute of a saxophonist’s playing, and the right mouthpiece setup is vital in the creation of that sound. While playing the Saxscape mouthpiece, simply put, I am able to achieve the sound I hear in my head. Ken Barry has come up with a great design, and I have been thrilled with my Saxscape Uptown Xtra Dark. The mouthpiece gives me the deep, dark sound I always imagined, without sacrificing clarity, projection, or response. Thanks, Ken, for your hard work and dedication to the sound of the saxophone. I look forward to playing Saxscape mouthpieces for years to come."
Playing 120 tip opening at Smoke: Streaming | Download
Jimmy Greene, a Short Bio Summary
Saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Jimmy Greene has emerged as a
positive young presence in the creative music world. His solo recordings,
True Life Stories (Criss Cross), Forever (Criss Cross), Brand New World
(RCA Victor) and Introducing Jimmy Greene (Criss Cross) have been met
with much critical acclaim. In fact, Tony Hall of Jazzwise Magazine
calls Greene “. . .without doubt one of the most striking young
tenors of recent years.” Hall states that Forever is “.
. .a peaceful but powerful record, and thoroughly enjoyable.”
As a composer, Greene has received several recent honors. He won the
prestigious 2005 ASCAP / IAJE Commission in honor of Ornette Coleman.
The resulting composition was premiered by Jimmy’s quartet at
the 2006 IAJE Conference in New York. In addition, Greene was named
a 2004 Winner of Chamber Music America’s New Works: Creation and
Presentation grant for jazz composition, and awarded a 2005 Artist Fellowship
in Music Composition by the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism.
Over 30 of Greene’s original compositions and arrangements have
been recorded on the RCA Victor and Criss Cross labels.
Greene’s bands are regularly featured in New York jazz venues
like the Village Vanguard, Jazz Standard, Birdland, Smoke, and the Jazz
Gallery, as well as festivals and club venues throughout the United
States. In one such appearance, Jim Macnie of the Village Voice said,
“[Greene] is good for a couple of body chills every time you see
him. He’s got a big barrelhouse sound, and a way of negotiating
changes that make academic moves seem natural.” Greene’s
international touring schedule has included highly acclaimed performances
in Russia and Brazil.
In addition to his recordings and appearances as a leader, Greene appears
on over 45 albums as a sideman, and has performed and/or recorded in
the bands of Horace Silver, Tom Harrell, Harry Connick, Jr., Freddie
Hubbard, Kenny Barron, Lewis Nash, Steve Turre, and the Carnegie Hall
Jazz Band. As a member of Harrell’s quintet, Greene appeared on
CBS’ 60 Minutes in 2002. As a member of Harry Connick Jr.’s
Big Band, Greene is a featured soloist on 2 DVDs, “Harry for the
Holidays,” and “Only You.” He was featured as a soloist
on Connick’s 2003 holiday special aired on NBC, in addition to
NBC’s Today Show, and BBC’s Parkinson Show.
Jimmy was named First Runner-Up in the prestigious 1996 Thelonious
Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition, and was named on of the
“25 Young Rising Stars in Jazz” by DownBeat Magazine in
1999. Greene graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Hartt School in 1997,
and studied with Jackie McLean, Dave Santoro, Kris Jensen, Steve Davis,
Ken Radnofsky and Dave Liebman. He currently holds faculty positions
at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, and the Hartt School, where
he also serves on the Board of Trustees. Greene performs in the music
ministry of his church, Glory Chapel International Cathedral.
For more information, visit www.jimmygreene.com