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George Garzone

Saxophonist George Garzone is a member of The Fringe, a jazz trio founded in 1972 that includes bassist John Lockwood and drummer Bob Gullotti, that performs regularly in the Boston area and has toured Portugal. The group has released three albums. A veteran jazzman, George Garzone has appeared on over 20 recordings. He began on the tenor when he was six, played in a family band and attended Berklee College of Music in Boston.

In addition, George Garzone has guested in many situations, touring Europe with Jamaaladeen Tacuma and performing with Danilo Perez, Joe Lovano, Jack DeJohnette, Rachel Z and John Patitucci among others.

Garzone is well-known as a sought-after jazz educator, currently teaching at the Berklee College of Music. He has also previously taught at New England Conservatory, Longy School of Music, New York University, Manhattan School of Music, Northeastern University and the New School University. He has pioneered the Triadic Chromatic Approach, an improvisation concept which has his own signature in the jazz improvisation vocabulary.

The first edition of the Triadic Chromatic Approach was released in DVD format. In 2020 George Garzone is releasing the second part of the Triadic Chromatic Approach and other educational books related with his concept and his music. In his never ending teaching career, great musicians of the actual scene have been students of George Garzone, like Joshua Redman, Teadross Avery, Seamus Blake, Chris Cheek, Luciana Souza, Mark Turner, Donny McCaslin, Doug Yates, Danilo Perez and the Grammy-Winning Drummer Antonio Sanchez, to name a few.

In 1995 he recorded a fine tribute to Stan Getz on NYC called Alone; Four’s and Two’s followed a year later with compatriot Joe Lovano which earned him four stars in Downbeat magazine, and in 1999 Garzone returned with Moodiology. Fringe in New York was released in summer 2000. He is a member of the Grammy-winning Joe Lovano Nonet, and performed and recorded with this group On This Day … Live At The Vanguard in September 2002.

In January 2019 George Garzone with Peter Erskine, Alan Pasqua and Darek Oles had a three night concert-recording session which became a Three CD recording called Three Nights in L.A., which became a favorite of many critics like Downbeat Magazine and All About Jazz.

Claire Daly: VuVu for Frances

Read "VuVu for Frances" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
January 2, 2024

Claire Daly, whose gruff yet eloquent baritone sax has brightened the New York scene for almost four decades, reunites with acclaimed tenor saxophonist George Garzone on Daly's seventh album as leader, VuVu for Frances, whose honoree is Frances Ballantyne, described by Daly as “a profound influence on [her] life" and “a consummate New Yorker." Daly and Garzone last recorded together in 1999, on Garzione's Moodiology (NYC), and Father Time hasn't caused either of them to lose so much as a ...

Album Review

Claire Daly (with George Garzone): VuVu for Frances

Read "VuVu for Frances" reviewed by Troy Dostert

by Troy Dostert
August 13, 2023

Working jazz musicians have long been accustomed to the necessity of playing just about anything, in any setting, and Claire Daly is no exception. The intrepid baritone saxophonist has recorded tributes to Thelonious Monk and Rahsaan Roland Kirk and, in 2016, she even offered a distinctive take on Motown classics with 2468 West Grand Boulevard (Glass Beach Jazz). With the enviable versatility on her formidable horn which has brought her consistent acclaim, she now turns to more conventional jazz fare, ...

Album Review

Funkwrench Blues: Soundtrack For A Film Without Pictures

Read "Soundtrack For A Film Without Pictures" reviewed by Chris May

by Chris May
August 3, 2023

Once upon a time it was hard to walk into an arthouse cinema without bumping into a jazz soundtrack. Miles Davis' for Louis Malle's Ascenseur Pour L'échafaud (1958), Charles Mingus' for John Cassavetes' Shadows (1959), Krzysztof Komeda's for Roman Polanski's Knife In The Water (1962) were among a legion of similarly inclined endeavours. But all that was a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. In the 2020s, if you want to hear a freshly ...

Album Review

Frank Tiberi, Joe Lovano and George Garzone: Tiberian Mode

Read "Tiberian Mode" reviewed by Jim Worsley

by Jim Worsley
May 7, 2020

While the three tenor saxophone soloists with piano, bass, and drums was already a proven sextet formula, the Tiberian Mode is one of vast reproportioning and accelerated creativity. Led by big band divinity Frank Tiberi and two of his disciples, George Garzone, and Joe Lovano, the project unleashes power, vigor, and contrasting jazz sensibilities. Attention is piqued even before listening when you learn that the first song is the first and last section of John Coltrane's “Giant Steps" ...

Album Review

Jeff Rupert/George Garzone: The Ripple

Read "The Ripple" reviewed by Jim Worsley

by Jim Worsley
April 28, 2020

The Ripple refers to the infectious, warm, intimate, yet big sound developed by the great Lester Young, starting in the late 1930s. While Young pioneered improvisational creativity, Stan Getz later took the baton (well, it was actually a saxophone) and further expanded his idol's stylish approach with new and creatively open-ended visions. Young and Getz collectively have had an enormous effect on future generations of sax players. Consequently, they have left a significant and impactful mark on the sound of ...

SoCal Jazz

George Garzone: Sax In The City

by Jim Worsley
April 9, 2020

George Garzone is not the mayor of the city of Boston. If he was appointed to a position it would more likely be king. He is, at the very least, the toast of the town. This isn't news. King George has reigned with a firm grasp of his mighty tenor saxophone for close to half a century now. Although not as much of a household name outside of Boston, Garzone is nonetheless revered by jazz enthusiasts around the globe. Perhaps ...

SoCal Jazz

Garzone, Erskine, Pasqua, Oleskiewicz Live at Sam First

by Jim Worsley
November 4, 2019

The venue in which you see and hear a performance has always mattered. Perhaps much more so than most people realize or even think about. Acoustics, ambiance, and comfort have always been important. In recent years you see more and more listening rooms popping up. Why? Well, neither acoustics nor talented musicians making great music matter much if the sound of people chatting turns a quartet into an unwanted sextet. Fortunately, venues such as Sam First in Los Angeles have ...

Recording

Bassist-Producer Frank Swart Releases 'Soundtrack For A Film Without Pictures' Featuring Gary Bartz, Dave Liebman, George Garzone, Bill Evans, Warren Wolf And Idris Ackamoor

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations
June 24, 2023

In his wide-ranging career, bassist, guitarist, arranger, composer, producer, and engineer Frank Swart has contributed to countless sessions covering a wide range of music, from rock and funk to psychedelic acid jazz. In recent times, under the Funkwrench Blues name, he has created and produced 146 singles (at the time of this writing) that have been released once every two weeks, featuring such major artists as Mike Stern, Charlie Hunter, John Medeski, Oz Noy, Fred Wesley, and the late Lucky ...
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Event

In Touch Entertainment Presents a New Jazz Series at New York City's Iconic Music Venue Zinc Bar in April

Source: Decibel
March 28, 2018

April is Jazz Appreciation Month and In Touch Entertainment is adding three new programs—Vocal Mania, Boss Tenors, and Dangerous Rhythms—to its already successful series of performances held at a legendary New York jazz venue, Zinc. Since its inception in 2017, Strings Attached jazz series, featuring four of New York City’s premier six-string jazz masters on a single stage—Jack Wilkins, Vic Juris, Joe Cohn, and Mark Whitfield—has been a regular feature at the Zinc. Piano Jazz and Trumpet Masters programs were ...
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Contest

Enter the "George Garzone - The Monash Sessions" Giveaway at All About Jazz!

Source: All About Jazz
October 12, 2013

All About Jazz members are invited to enter the Jazzhead Records “George Garzone - The Monash Sessions“ giveaway contest starting today. We'll select FIVE winners at the conclusion of the contest on November 11th. Click here to enter the contest

(Becoming a fan of George Garzone at AAJ automatically enters you in the contest.)

Good luck! Your Friends at Jazzhead Records About The Monash Sessions

Monash University's Sir Zelman Cowan School Of Music and Jazzhead are proud to ...
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204

Recording

Guitarist Tom Lagana Stakes His Claim on Second CD; Sax Legend George Garzone Guests on Schematic

Source: DL Media
April 6, 2010

Guitarist Tom Lagana Stakes His Claim on Second CD; Sax legend George Garzone Guests on SchematicScheduled for May release on Harvest Time RecordsFor the past decade, guitarist Tom Lagana has been quietly carving out a niche on the D.C.-Baltimore-Annapolis jazz scene, with occasional forays into Richmond, Virginia and Philadelphia. On Schematic, the 40-year-old protg of guitarist Charlie Byrd makes a strikingly original statement with a potent rhythm tandem of drummer Todd Harrison and bassist Tom Baldwin ...
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316

Performance / Tour

Saxophone Master George Garzone Performs at Palio Bar Friday, March 5

Source: Michael Ricci
March 3, 2010

“I'm not the master of the sax, George Garzone is." -- Michael Brecker

Saxophonist George Garzone, leads his own trio featuring guitarist Chris Crocco and bassist Peter Slavov for one special evening to create a magical mix of music at the Palio Bar at Piano Due, 151 West 51st Street in New York on Friday, March 5 from 8 pm - 11 pm. No cover charge. For information call (212) 399-9400.

A powerful tenor saxophonist whose adventurous flights with his ...
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144

Event

George Garzone Live Interview with Dave Schroeder at Barnes & Noble (NYC) on Friday, November 20th at 7:00 P.M.

Source: Michael Ricci
November 19, 2009

Join us this Friday, November 20th, for an in-store Barnes & Noble interview with saxophone innovator George Garzone. Time: 7:00pm - 8:00pm Barnes and Noble 150 East 86th Street New York, NY 10028 About George Garzone George Garzone is a renowned saxophonist and jazz educator residing in the Boston, Massachusetts area. Garzone is a member of The Fringe, a jazz trio founded in 1972 that includes bassist John Lockwood and drummer Bob Gullotti, that performs regularly ...
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129

Video / DVD

George Garzone DVD Trailer

Source: All About Jazz
August 28, 2008

The Music of George Garzone & The Triadic Chromatic Approach, is an Instructional DVD and much more. Performances: Solo, Duos, Trios, an Sextet performances

The Triadic Chromatic Approach: 23 Chapters & 30 Examples of In-Depth Lessons

Trading Play Alongs: George Plays / You Play w/ Rhythm Section

Pure Play Along: You Play w/ Rhythm Section

Garzone On Sound: In-depth Lesson of Saxophone Sound Production

Bonus Features: Interviews, Alternate ...
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178

Website

Saxophonist George Garzone Profiled at AAJ

Source: All About Jazz
May 21, 2008

An esoteric system and guru status among musicians makes for an easy target in today's niche-driven market. Terms like musician's musician and classicist start getting thrown around as a way to commodify and explain away public indifference. This, luckily, is a non-issue for George Garzone. The veteran saxophonist has avoided pigeonholing his entire career, letting his emotionally resonant music speak for itself. “We never put in any boundaries on the music," said the saxophonist of his longstanding group The Fringe ...
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118

Recording

Pete Zimmer New CD Judgment, Featuring George Garzone + Upcoming Appearances

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
September 22, 2006

Pete Zimmer Quintet featuring George Garzone: Judgment (TIP1103)

Street Date: October 31st, 2006

Featuring George Garzone - Tenor Saxophone Michael Rodriguez - Trumpet Joel Frahm - Tenor Saxophone Toru Dodo - Piano David Wong - Bass John Sullivan - Bass Pete Zimmer - Drums

Upcoming Appearances: Thursday, November 16th, 2006, Pete Zimmer Quintet: Judgment CD Release Party at The Kitano, ...
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248

Performance / Tour

Matthias Lupri Group with George Garzone and Jamey Haddad

Source: All About Jazz
June 20, 2006

Matthias Lupri Group w/George Garzone & Jamey Haddad Performing at Berklee Performance Center Thursday June 29/06 8:15pm

Modern jazz vibraphonist Matthias Lupri and group with acclaimed saxophonist George Garzone (The Fringe) and multi-percussionist Jamey Haddad (Paul Simon, Dave Liebman) will be performing new music from Lupri's new CD Metalix (Summit DCD-445) with Nate Radley guitar, Thomson Kneeland acoustic bass and Jordan Perlson drums.

Thursday, June 29, 8:15pm, Berklee Performance Center 136 Massachusetts Ave. Boston, MA 02115 ...
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