Rufus Reid Musician - All About Jazz

Updated: February 8, 2024

Born: February 10, 1944

Rufus Reid is one of a handful of true renaissance figures in the Arts. This bassist and composer has been an active presence in the jazz world since the 1970’s. He has recorded over 500 albums, 25 under his own name, with Terrestrial Dance and Always In The Moment released in Vinyl by Newvelle Records. The 2022 CD release, Celebration, features the jazz trio with a string quartet. Reid can be heard on recordings with Dexter Gordon, Andrew Hill, The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Quartet, Kenny Barron, Stan Getz, J.J. Johnson, Lee Konitz, Jack DeJohnette and many others.

Reid has written for strings, chamber ensembles, solo bass, jazz ensembles of varying sizes and symphony orchestras and has had the privilege of having all of them performed.

His reputation as an educator is equal to that of his musical achievements. His book The Evolving Bassist (Myriad Limited, 1974) remains the industry standard for double bass methodology. Reid and Dr. Martin Krivin created the Jazz Studies and Performance Bachelor of Music Program at William Paterson University. This program offered the first professional academically accredited Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies in the NY, NJ, CT tri-state area.

He has received the prestigious John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship and the MacDowell Colony Grant among others. His 2014 release, Quiet Pride – The Elizabeth Catlett Project, received two Grammy Nominations; for Best Large Jazz Ensemble and for Best Instrumental Composition.

Rufus Reid continues to be the Evolving Bassist.

Awards

Recognition Award for Composition (2013)
International Society of Bassists

LeJENds of Jazz Education Award (2013)
Jazz Education Network

Jazz Leadership Award (2007)
New Jersey Jazz Society

New Jersey State Council on the Arts Individual Artist Fellowship (2006)
Mellon Jazz Living Legacy Award (2005)
Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation

Distinguished Achievement Award (2001)
International Society of Bassists
(this is the Society’s highest honor)

New Jersey Outstanding Educator of the Year Award (1999)
New Jersey International Association of Jazz Educators

Jazz Educator Achievement Award (1998)
DownBeat Magazine

Humanitarian Award (1997)
The International Association of Jazz Educators

Merit Award (1993)
Northwestern University
Presented to those who have distinguished themselves in their particular professions in such a way as to reflect credit upon their alma mater.

Cape Award (1991)
For the Best Special Event – Music Division

Visionary Award (1990)
The Carter G. Woodson Foundation

Congressional Achievement Award (1988)
In recognition of outstanding musicianship and contribution to the preservation of Jazz

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by Angelo Leonardi
October 21, 2024

«L'idea di Synthesis--dice Ryan Truesdell presentando il progetto--è nata dalla consapevolezza che molti compositori di jazz traggono ispirazione dalla scrittura per quartetto d'archi di eminenti compositori classici come Bartok, Brahms e Ravel, e dalla necessità di trovare un modo realistico e al tempo stesso stimolante per creare musica insieme». Il giovane orchestratore, divenuto famoso per aver dato vita a inedite partiture di Gil Evans, presenta un progetto di 17 composizioni per quartetto d'archi (alcune in forma di ...

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Chris Rottmayer: Being

Read "Being" reviewed by Richard J Salvucci

by Richard J Salvucci
October 10, 2024

One thing is for sure. If a listener comes upon a recording based on the music of Mulgrew Miller and Woody Shaw, there are unlimited possibilities for a harmonic education. Both players were revered for their sophistication and the beauty of the melodies they created. So it hardly seems odd that someone, here pianist Chris Rottmayer, would have made an academic study of what they were doing. Ordinarily, even an academic might think “what a frightful idea," but Rottmayer understood ...

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Nick Finzer: Legacy

by Pierre Giroux
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In the realm of jazz, the legacy of J.J. Johnson looms large and immutable, casting an indelible shadow over the trombone's narrative. It is with reverence and a touch of audacity that trombonist Nick Finzer undertakes the task of honoring this titan with his album Legacy a centennial celebration of JJ Johnson. Joined by a stellar ensemble featuring Renee Rosnes, who served as the pianist in Johnson's quintet from 1989 to 1997, bassist Rufus Reid and drummer Lewis Nash, Finzer ...

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Chris Rottmayer: Being

by Jack Bowers
March 4, 2024

On Being, his fourth album as leader, Wisconsin-based pianist Chris Rottmayer has chosen to appraise the music of pianist Mulgrew Miller, as written for and performed by the Woody Shaw Quintet. Russ Johnson sits in for Shaw on trumpet and flugelhorn, while the celebrated bassist Rufus Reid and drummer Matt Endres round out the quartet's capable rhythm section. Half of the album's ten numbers arose from Rottmayer's study of Miller's work with Shaw; the other five are ...

Album Review

Chris Rottmayer: Being

by Troy Dostert
February 29, 2024

Pianist Chris Rottmayer has been a valued presence in the Madison, Wisconsin jazz scene for some time, both as a faculty member at the University of Wisconsin and as the leader of a couple of well-conceived albums. His Sunday at Pilars (Pilars, 2019) and So in Love (self-released, 2020) reveal a self-assured musician who can handle classic repertoire with authority. But his latest effort, Being, ups the ante by offering a collection of his own compositions, in this instance animated ...

Album Review

John La Barbera Big Band: Grooveyard

Read "Grooveyard" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
September 27, 2023

Composer/arranger John La Barbera has been at the top of his game for more than half a century, and Grooveyard is simply another example of his undiminished artistry. Besides arranging everything--superbly, as always--La Barbera wrote six of the session's ten charming songs, escorting other treasures by Carl Perkins, Dave Brubeck, Curtis Fuller and Elvin Jones. As he writes his handsome and colorful big-band charts, La Barbera is always careful to observe Rule No. 1: they have to ...

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The John La Barbera Big Band: Grooveyard

Read "Grooveyard" reviewed by Nicholas F. Mondello

by Nicholas F. Mondello
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The geometry, if you will, of a terrific big band recording is such that the three major elements--the players, the arrangements, and the performance--balance in every regard. Grooveyard from the John La Barbera Big Band is such an offering. The album features ten masterfully selected, arranged, and performed selections, each containing outstanding section, solo, and ensemble playing. Wes Montgomery's “Grooveyard" launches a hip, swinging first course in which tenor man Pat La Barbera and guitarist Brandon Coleman ...

Festival

Princeton University Jazz Festival 2023 Features Artemis, Rudresh Mahanthappa And Bird Calls, and Rufus Reid on April 15

Source: Braithwaite & Katz Communications
March 15, 2023

Jazz at Princeton University, helmed by acclaimed saxophonist/composer Rudresh Mahanthappa, presents the annual Princeton University Jazz Festival on Saturday, April 15. The festival features Artemis, Jazz at Princeton’s chair Rudresh Mahanthappa and his Bird Calls ensemble, jazz greats playing with Princeton’s exceptional student groups, and the legendary Rufus Reid with the Creative Large Ensemble. Free daytime performances, to be held outdoors on Richardson Lawn in front of Princeton’s Richardson Auditorium, begin at noon. A ticketed event with the Creative Large ...
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Event

Registration Now Open For ISJAC Symposium - May 18-20, 2017

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations
October 3, 2016

2017 International Jazz Composers Symposium at the University of South Florida May 18-20, 2017 REGISTRATION FOR THE SYMPOSIUM NOW OPEN! TAKES PLACE MAY 18-20, 2017 Time is running out, so register now. Submission deadline is October 27th! The Mission of the International Society of Jazz Arrangers and Composers is threefold: To unite and serve the international community of jazz arrangers and composers; To advance the understanding and appreciation of jazz ...
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Education

Music Education Monday: A rhythm section workshop with bassist Rufus Reid

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
October 26, 2015

Today for Music Education Monday, you can watch the veteran bassist Rufus Reid as he leads a workshop in jazz rhythm section performance with students at Loyola University New Orleans. A California native, the 71-year-old Reid (pictured) studied music at Northwestern University and began his professional career in Chicago before moving in 1976 to New York City. He's recorded 17 albums as a leader, and worked with well-known musicians including Eddie Harris, Stan Getz, Art Farmer, J.J. Johnson, Dexter Gordon, ...
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Performance / Tour

Rufus Reid Big Band at Jazz Standard from February 26 to March 1

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations
January 29, 2015

2x Grammy Nominee 2015 QUIET PRIDE: The Elizabeth Catlett Project The Rufus Reid Big Band Quiet Pride & More! Jazz Standard 116 East 27th St. New York, NY 10016 Phone: 212-576-2232 Date: Thu., Feb. 26, - Sun., Mar. 1, 2015 Showtimes: Two 60-minute shows beginning at 7:30pm & 10:00pm, with one additional show at 11:45pm Friday & Saturday The Rufus Reid Big Band line-up: Rufus Reid - bass ...
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Recording

Motema Music Releases Award-Winning Composer Rufus Reid’s Quiet Pride - The Elizabeth Catlett Project, A Star-Studded, Large-Ensemble Suite, On February 11, 2014

Source: GoMedia PR
December 4, 2013

His Five Movement Suite Pays Tribute to the Life and Work of Elizabeth Catlett, One of the Most Important African American Visual Artists of the 20th Century The inspiration for the epic, large ensemble work, Quiet Pride was Reid’s fascination with the sculptural work of Elizabeth Catlett, the great African American artist and civil rights activist, whose works can be found in the collections of the White House, the Museum of Modern Art, and of private collectors such as Bill ...
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Education

Sligo Jazz Summer School And Festival 24-29 July 2012

Source: Sligo Jazz Project
April 2, 2012

The best value summer school in Europe! Sligo Jazz Project, an organization run by musicians for musicians ensures all funds raised go towards keeping its annual main event— a six day intensive summer school and full blown jazz festival—as inclusive as possible and open to all musicians from all backgrounds! Sligo Jazz Project's stellar 2012 faculty Double Bass: Rufus Reid (USA) - John Goldsby (USA/Germany) Electric Bass: Michael Janisch (USA/UK) Vocals: Diana Torto (Italy) Drums: John Riley (USA) - Stephen ...
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129

Performance / Tour

Motéma Music Artist Rufus Reid: June/August 2011 Tour

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity
June 4, 2011

Motéma Music Artist RUFUS REID On Tour In Support of HUES OF A DIFFERENT BLUE The Brilliant Follow Up to Out Front (2010, Motema Music) June 5-6 @ 7:30 PM: Jazz Composers Orchestra Institute Readings Concert, Miller Theater— Columbia University, NYC The American Composers Orchestra performs the Third Movement of Reid's Composition, “Mass Transit"—Metropolis June 9 @ 12:30 PM: Jazz on the Plaza St. Peter's Church, NYC , Featuring Reid with pianist Norman Simmons Free and ...
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129

Recording

On April 12, 2011 - Motéma Music will release Rufus Reid's - "Hues of a Different Blue"

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity
April 6, 2011

The Brilliant Follow Up to Out Front (2010, Motema Music)

Featuring the Out Front Trio of Reid, Steve Allee (piano) & Duduka Da Fonseca (drums), with very special guests, legendary saxophonist Bobby Watson, trumpeter Freddie Hendrix, saxophonist J.D. Allen & master Brazilian composer/guitarist Toninho Horta

As an artist, Rufus Reid defines evolution and growth. On the double bass, he seems to have reached the pinnacle of mastery on his instrument only to push the melodic, rhythmic and harmonic envelope further ...
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Recording

CD: Rufus Reid

Source: Rifftides by Doug Ramsey
November 9, 2010

Rufus Reid, Out Front (Motéma). Passionate performances of compositions by its members highlight this album by the stalwart bassist's new trio. Reid's “Caress the Thought" evolves through changing atmospheres and rhythms into a crescendo and a peaceful resolution. Drummer Duduka Da Fonseca's “Doña Maria" alternates between the samba tradition of his native Brazil and the mainstream jazz of his adopted country. Pianist Steve Allee drew on twelve-tone music in “The Rise of the Row," but the mood of the piece ...
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128

Radio

The Jazz Session #176: Rufus Reid

Source: Michael Ricci
June 10, 2010

Primary Instrument

Bass, acoustic

Location

Newark

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

Reid has become one of the premiere educators of the last thirty years. His commitment to education and communicating the history of jazz is second to none. Indeed, it is hardly possible to separate his exuberance on the bandstand from his work as an educator, and his performances and lectures serve this common goal. As Dr. Billy Taylor has noted: “Look at who he’s taught, now stars in their own right, and other instrumentalists who’ve benefited from the wealth of information he communicates as second nature.”

Primary Instrument

Bass, acoustic

Location

Newark

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

Reid has become one of the premiere educators of the last thirty years. His commitment to education and communicating the history of jazz is second to none. Indeed, it is hardly possible to separate his exuberance on the bandstand from his work as an educator, and his performances and lectures serve this common goal. As Dr. Billy Taylor has noted: “Look at who he’s taught, now stars in their own right, and other instrumentalists who’ve benefited from the wealth of information he communicates as second nature.”

Rufus Reid has spent a large portion of his career advancing jazz education. His passion for the music and his unique method of teaching and relating to various age groups makes him very special. He has inspired students to perform beyond their own expectations. Reid continues to work with The Jamey Aebersold Jazz Camps, The Stanford University Jazz Workshop, The Richard Davis Foundation for Young Bassists, and Ravinia’s Stean’s Institute for Young Artists.

Saxophonist Jane Ira Bloom stated, “It doesn’t matter what Rufus does, whether it is teaching, playing, or composing – he speaks bass from the heart. His sincerity pervades everything that he does.”

Reid and Dr. Martin Krivin developed the curriculum for The Jazz Studies and Performance degree program at William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ. Rufus served as Director of The Jazz Studies and Performance Program for twenty years, completing his tenure in 1999. The WPU Jazz Program continues to be considered one of the best in the country for the aspiring jazz student.

Reid travels throughout the world as a guest artist performing his compositions with both small and large ensembles, doing workshops and Master classes. His book, The Evolving Bassist – in publication since 1974 – continues to be recognized as the industry standard bass method. A millennium edition was published in 2000, and in 2003, a DVD adaptation was released.

In 1998, Mr. Reid was asked to help create and to serve as the Music Director for the premiere of the NJPAC/WBGO Jazz For Teens Program, a new educational program sponsored by the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in collaboration with Newark Public Radio.

From 1980 to 1985, Rufus was on the music panel of The National Foundation For the Advancements In The Arts, leading the ARTS Program (Art Recognition and Talent Search), for graduating high school students.

Today, Rufus Reid combines his love of teaching with his love of composition. He now culminates his University Residencies with a concert of his music. He has music for Big Bands, Small Groups, and Bass Ensembles. Rufus will work with the students, doing workshops and rehearsing small groups, big bands and bass ensembles. At the end of the week there is a concert with everyone performing. He has been doing this for several years and finds the enrichment the students receive is truly rewarding.

Initially, Harold Danko, of The Eastman School of Music reached out to Rufus in 2006 to come for a week long Residency that would finish with a concert, performing only Reid’s music. It was wildly successful. Reid Conducted a live Internet connected interactive bass class that was shared with Peabody. (Eastman School of Music has an ongoing relationship with Peabody Conservatory) This was their first Master Class via Internet. At a later date, Rufus visited Peabody for this same special Residency with Concert, and again did a live Internet Bass Master Class, this time interacting with Eastman School of Music. Admittedly, this was a special event, but it showed Rufus how valuable the extra time spent with students truly can be. And it proved that Reid’s music was accessible, interesting and fun for everyone, from performer to listener.

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