Celebrated jazz saxophonist Bob Mintzer marks his debut as music director of Thornton's Jazz Orchestra.

In his inaugural concert, Mintzer will lead the ensemble in a swinging concert filled with the jazz standards of the classic big bands.

In the jazz world, Bob Mintzer is a household name, known as a saxophonist, bass clarinetist, composer, arranger, leader of the Grammy-winning big band Yellowjackets, member of the Yellowjackets and educator.

During a 34-year career, Mintzer has written more than 200 big band arrangements, many of which are performed all over the world by both student and pro bands. His own big band has been nominated for four Grammy awards; it won a Grammy for best large jazz ensemble recording in 2001, with Homage to Count Basie on the DMP label. Mintzer has recorded 26 solo recordings, with both big band and small jazz ensembles. He is an 18-year member of the Grammy award-winning Yellowjackets, and has recorded 12 CDs with them. He tours four months out of the year with the Yellowjackets. Mintzer has published four jazz etude books (Belwin Jazz), a solo transcription book (Belwin Jazz), a saxophone method book (Kendor Music), four saxophone quartets (Kendor Music) and close to 200 big band arrangements (Kendor Music, Belwin Jazz); he has also composed several pieces for orchestra. His Rhythm of the Americas piece for sax quartet and orchestra (or concert band) was premiered in 2001 by the American Saxophone Quartet and the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. His Concertino for Tenor Saxophone, Strings and Winds was premiered in New York by the St. Luke's Chamber Ensemble in 1992.

Mintzer has had a diverse career as a freelance musician in New York. He has recorded with people such as Steve Winwood, James Taylor, Aretha Franklin and Queen. He has toured with Buddy Rich, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Jaco Pastorius, Tito Puente and Eddie Palmieri. Mintzer has also worked with the New York Philharmonic and America Ballet Theatre. He has been on the faculty of Manhattan School of Music. Annually, he performs workshops at universities across the globe.

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