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Art Resnick

Art started his career in Minneapolis playing keyboard with a blues band. Influenced by jazz artists like Miles Davis and John Coltrane, he began to play jazz professionally. His first jazz album, Jungleopolis, released in 1972, received a 5-star review from Downbeat. Over the next 50 years, he has recorded several albums with well-known jazz artists and released several of his own as leader.

Art has played and toured with a long list of jazz greats, including George Coleman, Freddy Hubbard, Nat Adderly, Benny Golson, Gary Bartz, James Moody, Eddie Harris, Harry “Sweets” Edison, Bobby Shew, Richie Cole, Charles McPherson, Billy Hart, Mel Lewis and Victor Lewis.

He has recorded 2 albums as leader, "Jungleopolis" and "A Gift". In New York he assembled a quartet to play his compositions with Victor Lewis, Rufus Reid, and Bob Rockwell.

He has toured all over Europe, Australia, and the US playing major clubs in New York, L. A., Paris, Lisbon, Sydney, Australia to name a few. He also taught jazz piano, combo, and improvisation at San Diego State and Wm Patterson colleges (NJ). He has written over 300 original compositions spanning his long career.

Art passed away on June 26th, 2023 at the age of 82.

NEWS: Schedule for release on September 15th, a duet album created by Art and Peter Ponzol with ten improvised tracks. More information on the Conversations page.

Jeff Johnson: My Heart

by Jeff Johnson
May 17, 2023

jny: Minneapolis... circa 1972 is where this story begins. People ask me, “where did you go to study music?" I always answer, “Minneapolis / St.Paul, Minnesota." Then they ask, “yes... but what school?" My reply, “the streets, night clubs, and music scene of Minneapolis / St. Paul. I have a bastard's degree in music from Minneapolis / St. Paul." The “Twin Cities" as they are called in Minnesota, was extremely fertile musical ground at the time ...

Album Review

Jeff Johnson: My Heart

by Paul Rauch
April 10, 2023

What could possibly be so interesting about a thirty-two-year old session of first takes, recorded live to 2-track DAT by a quartet led by a Seattle- based bassist who is not exactly a household name? A quick answer would include superlatives such as “masterful," or “historic." A brief history of bassist and composer Jeff Johnson creates a better sense of understanding. Johnson is perhaps best known as a pioneering member of pianist Hal Galper's revolutionary rubato trio of the '90's, ...

Rufus Reid wrote: “I remember so vividly the great times we had playing together as the EXPEDITION quartet with Rockwell and drummer Victor Lewis. Art was an excellent jazz pianist, but in addition, his fantastic compositions gave us our identity. Going to Alaska and also our time in Australia was very special. Unfortunately, the timing for the success of this group was not good. We needed to have a recording to represent us, but that never happened, but I will always have these fond memories of Art Resnick and EXPEDITION! May he rest in peace!”