North Carolina Symphony: Vienna with a Twist Performed by Jeff Tyzik at Meymandi Concert Hall , Dec. 31, 2012 8:00 PM
The North Carolina Symphony demonstrated its versatility by presenting a New Years’ Eve program considerably different than the various evenings I have attended over recent years, which generally featured the presence of the principal Music Director of the orchestra, as well as various visiting soloists, lending the affairs a gala flavor. All of the well-chosen numbers for the swing half were arranged by Tyzik, who took advantage of the fabulous winds of the NCS for a rich sound that at the same time did not stray so far from the brass and reeds of the original big bands. “It Don’t Mean a Thing if It Ain’t Got That Swing,” by Ellington, got the evening off to a rousing start, with standout solos from the piano (Karl Moraski) and alto sax (Gregg Gelb). Gelb turned up the energy immediately, with the first of a series of burning solos enlivening the evening.
By Tom Moore, The Classical Voice of North Carolina Jan. 1, 2013 - Raleigh, NC:
The North Carolina Symphony demonstrated its versatility by presenting a New Years’ Eve program considerably different than the various evenings I have attended over recent years, which generally featured the presence of the principal Music Director of the orchestra, as well as various visiting soloists, lending the affairs a gala flavor. All of the well-chosen numbers for the swing half were arranged by Tyzik, who took advantage of the fabulous winds of the NCS for a rich sound that at the same time did not stray so far from the brass and reeds of the original big bands. “It Don’t Mean a Thing if It Ain’t Got That Swing,” by Ellington, got the evening off to a rousing start, with standout solos from the piano (Karl Moraski) and alto sax (Gregg Gelb). Gelb turned up the energy immediately, with the first of a series of burning solos enlivening the evening.
By Tom Moore, The Classical Voice of North Carolina Jan. 1, 2013 - Raleigh, NC:
Gregg Gelb Jazz Quartet bops at the Forum
Peter Hummers | Sentinel Staff
Gregg Gelb Jazz Quartet bops at the Forum
"Jazz renaissance man Gregg Gelb brought his bebop-to-post-bop quartet to the Outer Banks Forum's show at First Flight High School Saturday evening. The music ranged from ancient jazz ('Sweet Georgia Brown') to Gershwin and Porter standards to originals. Highlights were an inventive arrangement and excellent execution of Juan Tizol's 'Caravan,' and Gelb's own tribute to 'Giant Steps'-era fellow tarheel John Coltrane. From left, Steve Anderson at the piano, Gelb on sax and clarinet, Alex Van Gils on bass, and Gelb's son Chris on drums all had chances to shine, and shine they did."
Gregg Gelb Jazz Quartet bops at the Forum
"Jazz renaissance man Gregg Gelb brought his bebop-to-post-bop quartet to the Outer Banks Forum's show at First Flight High School Saturday evening. The music ranged from ancient jazz ('Sweet Georgia Brown') to Gershwin and Porter standards to originals. Highlights were an inventive arrangement and excellent execution of Juan Tizol's 'Caravan,' and Gelb's own tribute to 'Giant Steps'-era fellow tarheel John Coltrane. From left, Steve Anderson at the piano, Gelb on sax and clarinet, Alex Van Gils on bass, and Gelb's son Chris on drums all had chances to shine, and shine they did."
"Breakaway" - reviewed by Owen Cordle, Raleigh News and Observer
April 19, 09
Gelb Makes it Swing
Gig for gig, tenor saxophonist Gregg Gelb may have been the busiest jazz musician in central North Carolina for the last 20 years. As leader of the Gregg Gelb Swing Band, director of the Heart of Carolina Jazz Orchestra, a founding member of the NC Jazz Repertory Orchestra, a jazz educator, and leader of numerous ad-hoc small groups, Gelb is, by example, an advocate for the music.
With "Breakaway" (MG Records) , he cuts to the heart of his experience - a quartet blowing session with seven of his original compositions.
Most of the tunes are singable, and Gelb offers warm-toned improvisation on each. His solos balance lyricism and fluid double -time passages. His rhythmic feeling is straight-ahead and swinging.
"Summer Haze,'" the lone clarinet performance, conjures up an exotic mood similar to Benny Carter's "Key Largo." "Big Change's Comin'" is the kind of swinging tune you can imagine the Count Basie Band playing. "Contemplation" is a fine ballad with sophisticated harmony.
Gelb's rhythm - pianist Steve Anderson, bassist Steve Haines and drummer Ben Jensen - proves itself tasteful and artful, with Anderson uncorking several variegated solos along the way.
Gelb Makes it Swing
Gig for gig, tenor saxophonist Gregg Gelb may have been the busiest jazz musician in central North Carolina for the last 20 years. As leader of the Gregg Gelb Swing Band, director of the Heart of Carolina Jazz Orchestra, a founding member of the NC Jazz Repertory Orchestra, a jazz educator, and leader of numerous ad-hoc small groups, Gelb is, by example, an advocate for the music.
With "Breakaway" (MG Records) , he cuts to the heart of his experience - a quartet blowing session with seven of his original compositions.
Most of the tunes are singable, and Gelb offers warm-toned improvisation on each. His solos balance lyricism and fluid double -time passages. His rhythmic feeling is straight-ahead and swinging.
"Summer Haze,'" the lone clarinet performance, conjures up an exotic mood similar to Benny Carter's "Key Largo." "Big Change's Comin'" is the kind of swinging tune you can imagine the Count Basie Band playing. "Contemplation" is a fine ballad with sophisticated harmony.
Gelb's rhythm - pianist Steve Anderson, bassist Steve Haines and drummer Ben Jensen - proves itself tasteful and artful, with Anderson uncorking several variegated solos along the way.
Review of tune from "Breakaway" by Mark Saleski of Jazz.com
I don't know if your dad ever told you this but you have to be very careful with the funk. It can put permanent (and embarrassing!) stains on your clothes, bumping up your chance of making terrible first impressions in social situations.
Even worse: it can get you mistaken for a smooth jazz musician. Just think, one wrong move and you're sandwiched in between Kenny G and Boney James. Ouch.
As luck would have it, Gregg Gelb knows how to handle the funk [the tune is called "Funk It"]. He's got a drummer slinging with that loose-but-tight feel, a sympathetic piano player who can amp up the funk with snazzy unison lines as well as wide-ranging solos, and a bassist who can swing like crazy. This is one fun little tune. The soulful vibe might induce spontaneous body part wavin', but I predict no other social disturbances.
Even worse: it can get you mistaken for a smooth jazz musician. Just think, one wrong move and you're sandwiched in between Kenny G and Boney James. Ouch.
As luck would have it, Gregg Gelb knows how to handle the funk [the tune is called "Funk It"]. He's got a drummer slinging with that loose-but-tight feel, a sympathetic piano player who can amp up the funk with snazzy unison lines as well as wide-ranging solos, and a bassist who can swing like crazy. This is one fun little tune. The soulful vibe might induce spontaneous body part wavin', but I predict no other social disturbances.
Review of Breakaway by Stan Dick of the CVNC
for full review go to http://cvnc.org/reviews/cd_dvd_book/cd/Gelb.html
"For this outing, Gelb offers a program of seven original compositions. The melodic line of the clarinet feature, “Summer Haze,” suggests a humid, dreamy southern evening. “Boppin’ to the Mambo” is a cooking confection that provides a fine springboard for dense improvisations while retaining an infectious dancing lilt. “Funk It!” is a spacious, vampish line that liberates Gelb and the band to play with the density of their improvisations.
The ballad, “Contemplation” is a clever variation on Duke Ellington’s classic theme, “What Am I Here For?” The tune’s slow tempo gives the listener an opportunity to luxuriate in Gelb’s full, rich tone. Invoking an Ellington theme can be perilous for a tenor saxophonist, as it conjures the ghosts of Ellington orchestra mainstays Webster and Paul Gonsalves, but Gelb rises to the occasion, avoiding flash and offering an eloquent, poised set of variations."
"For this outing, Gelb offers a program of seven original compositions. The melodic line of the clarinet feature, “Summer Haze,” suggests a humid, dreamy southern evening. “Boppin’ to the Mambo” is a cooking confection that provides a fine springboard for dense improvisations while retaining an infectious dancing lilt. “Funk It!” is a spacious, vampish line that liberates Gelb and the band to play with the density of their improvisations.
The ballad, “Contemplation” is a clever variation on Duke Ellington’s classic theme, “What Am I Here For?” The tune’s slow tempo gives the listener an opportunity to luxuriate in Gelb’s full, rich tone. Invoking an Ellington theme can be perilous for a tenor saxophonist, as it conjures the ghosts of Ellington orchestra mainstays Webster and Paul Gonsalves, but Gelb rises to the occasion, avoiding flash and offering an eloquent, poised set of variations."
Comments from the Cultural Arts Coordinator following concerts at a local high school on Nov. 18, 2009
The eight-piece Gregg Gelb Jazz Band performed two concerts at Fuquay-Varina High School.
"Gregg, Thank you so very much for the wonderful performances at Fuquay-Varina High School last week. Our older son was able to attend the first block show and gave us a glowing report. I also thought you would enjoy reading the comments from our principal, Edward McFarland: 'The band was incredible. I enjoyed the music so much and Gregg was great. He taught jazz history and explained the background and context of each selection - which made each tune that much more interesting. His wife has a wonderfully sultry blues voice - I was not expecting vocals. The kids really enjoyed the program and were so well behaved. They took part in the program, asked and answered questions, and overall were terrific. Thank you for taking the time and putting in the work to plan such an event for our kids. It was worth the effort." Laurie Lympany, Cultural Arts Coordinator
"Gregg, Thank you so very much for the wonderful performances at Fuquay-Varina High School last week. Our older son was able to attend the first block show and gave us a glowing report. I also thought you would enjoy reading the comments from our principal, Edward McFarland: 'The band was incredible. I enjoyed the music so much and Gregg was great. He taught jazz history and explained the background and context of each selection - which made each tune that much more interesting. His wife has a wonderfully sultry blues voice - I was not expecting vocals. The kids really enjoyed the program and were so well behaved. They took part in the program, asked and answered questions, and overall were terrific. Thank you for taking the time and putting in the work to plan such an event for our kids. It was worth the effort." Laurie Lympany, Cultural Arts Coordinator
_________________________________________________________________________
"Gregg Gelb's joyful, "I Cared For You," would fit in nicely beside Sammy Nestico's charts for the Count Basie Band."
David Franklin, Jazz Times, 2006-07 Education Guide
_________________________________________________________________________
"Once in a blue moon someone captures pure musical excellence on a CD. Such is the case with "Then and Now." This is the best small group I've heard in that same blue moon. These arrangements are exciting listening. While the soloists are all good, and Kathy is special on the vocals, the ensemble passages are true team work."
Larry Roatt, WOBO, Cincinnati, OH
___________________________________________________________________________________
"The Gregg Gelb Swing Band's Let's Face The Music and Dance, is a marvelous reminiscence of the romantic and swing music during WW II,"
Carol Sloane, renowned jazz vocalist
___________________________________________________________________________________
Swinging at St. Mary's
September 21, 2001
by Roy Dicks
On Tuesday night, September 18, 2001, the opening concert of the recently revived Smedes Parlor Series at St. Mary's School became a serendipitous rally for the spirit of America in light of the tragedies of the previous Tuesday. The program, "A Classical and Jazz Evening," featured well-known area jazz musician Gregg Gelb and four others playing works by Benny Goodman and Leonard Bernstein. Goodman's music was synonymous with World War II homeland patriotism and Bernstein's love for America has been expressed in such works as "West Side Story" and "Mass." Although it was not referred to as such, it took only a few minutes for the whole audience to respond to the program as a tribute to the fallen and as a booster for pride in our country.
"Seven Come Eleven" immediately established the group's total command and extreme comfort, allowing the listener to concentrate on the magic that jazz can invoke. "Lullaby of the Leaves" perfectly conjured the rolling winds of autumn, Gelb and Paolantonio fused in focused, strong waves of sound. The high held clarinet notes of "Slipped Disc," instantly recognizable as a Goodman signature, added to the "hot" intensity of that number.
Kathy Montgomery Gelb, Greg's wife and noted vocalist on her own, switched the mood with her rendition of "I Thought of You," her soft-grained smoothness and clear diction buoyed by her husband on sax and Gladstone's rich bowing. The instrumentalists finished off the set with the jaunty "Don't Be That Way" and the toe-tapping "Airmail Special," the most upbeat and dance-inducing number of the evening, with dense chording on piano and hot licks on clarinet.
Within the formal setting of the Smedes Parlor and heard under the glittering chandelier, the music had already taken on a more classical feel. For the opening of the second half, the crossover was furthered by the playing of Bernstein's Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, the composer's first published work, completed in 1942. Gelb was joined in this performance by Milton Laufer, a distinguished pianist with a long list of credits, who has just begun a tenure as pianist-in-residence at Peace College (replacing Ray Kilburn). Together, he and Gelb attacked the sonata with ferocity and extreme emotion. Gelb proved himself an accomplished player in a more structured work. The many conflicting moods of the piece eerily reflected those of the audience in these unsettling times.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Gregg Gelb and his Swing band recently played at a dance for the Rowan Public Library. The “Big Swing” dance was part of a month long program of activities planned for The Big Read, a National Endowment for the Arts and Institute for Museum and Library Services grant which Rowan Public Library received. We chose to celebrate the novel The Grapes of Wrath and asked Mr. Gelb to tailor his program so that it would include music primarily from the 1930’s Swing Era. He and his band did a wonderful job. We could not have been more pleased. They were flexible with their fee which helped us working within grant budget restrictions. They were accommodating and cooperative with our agenda that evening which included dance exhibitions from a local dance studio. Dancer’s age ranged from 6-nearly 90. The music was fabulous and just what we had hoped for as far as period and exceeded our expectations in musicianship.
We were just delighted with the dance and the music that the Gregg Gelb Swing Band provided and would certainly recommend them for any type of activity whether it is a concert, educational program or dance.
Best regards,
Gretchen Witt
Local History/Genealogy Room Supervisor
___________________________________________________________________________________
I would like to recommend Mr. Gregg Gelb for a resident artist position with ArtsTeach. Mr. Gelb presented a jazz program for the Music Appreciation class, Honors Band students and the African-American History class on April 18, 2008 at Western Harnett High School. The students and faculty were treated to a timeline of jazz history and music ranging from Dixieland to Bebop and Free Form jazz. Mr. Gelb demonstrated the various styles and composers on clarinet and alto and tenor saxophone. His thorough knowledge of jazz history and his mastery of jazz improvization and technique was like bringing the textbooks to life. With his experience as Visiting Artist at Central Carolina Community College and as bandleader for his own jazz swing band, Mr. Gelb is uniquely qualified. His ability to teach, perform, inspire and broaden the jazz audience make Mr. Gregg Gelb the perfect choice for a resident artist position.
Sincerely,
Sandra H. McNeill
Music Teacher
Western Harnett High School
Lillington, NC
___________________________________________________________________________________
To Whom It May Concern:
Gregg Gelb has brought jazz performers to Ingram Elementary School four
times within the past ten years. Each visit has been greatly
anticipated by our students, who have always been delighted with the
performers. I have sought out Gregg’s Heart of Carolina jazz
performances and always felt extremely lucky when our school has been
chosen to host his special guest artists.
Gregg directs the Heart of Carolina Jazz Orchestra, a non-profit big
band which promotes jazz music education through performances around
Sanford, NC. For each of their evening Temple Theater jazz
performances, they also present an education workshop where their
featured guest artist demonstrates and performs for students either
within the public schools or at after school daycare organizations.
In September 2006, Gregg brought Ramon Kenan (trumpet) and Taylor
(piano) to my school. I prepared the students ahead of time during
their music classes, using school resources and some materials that
Gregg loaned to me. Approximately half of the student body (@300
students) attended the jazz presentation, and it was a great success.
I highly recommend Gregg for an artist residency within the ArtsTeach
program. Your students will be greatly entertained while being
educated.
Sincerely,
Joy Snipes Downes
Music Teacher
Ingram Elementary
"Gregg Gelb's joyful, "I Cared For You," would fit in nicely beside Sammy Nestico's charts for the Count Basie Band."
David Franklin, Jazz Times, 2006-07 Education Guide
_________________________________________________________________________
"Once in a blue moon someone captures pure musical excellence on a CD. Such is the case with "Then and Now." This is the best small group I've heard in that same blue moon. These arrangements are exciting listening. While the soloists are all good, and Kathy is special on the vocals, the ensemble passages are true team work."
Larry Roatt, WOBO, Cincinnati, OH
___________________________________________________________________________________
"The Gregg Gelb Swing Band's Let's Face The Music and Dance, is a marvelous reminiscence of the romantic and swing music during WW II,"
Carol Sloane, renowned jazz vocalist
___________________________________________________________________________________
Swinging at St. Mary's
September 21, 2001
by Roy Dicks
On Tuesday night, September 18, 2001, the opening concert of the recently revived Smedes Parlor Series at St. Mary's School became a serendipitous rally for the spirit of America in light of the tragedies of the previous Tuesday. The program, "A Classical and Jazz Evening," featured well-known area jazz musician Gregg Gelb and four others playing works by Benny Goodman and Leonard Bernstein. Goodman's music was synonymous with World War II homeland patriotism and Bernstein's love for America has been expressed in such works as "West Side Story" and "Mass." Although it was not referred to as such, it took only a few minutes for the whole audience to respond to the program as a tribute to the fallen and as a booster for pride in our country.
"Seven Come Eleven" immediately established the group's total command and extreme comfort, allowing the listener to concentrate on the magic that jazz can invoke. "Lullaby of the Leaves" perfectly conjured the rolling winds of autumn, Gelb and Paolantonio fused in focused, strong waves of sound. The high held clarinet notes of "Slipped Disc," instantly recognizable as a Goodman signature, added to the "hot" intensity of that number.
Kathy Montgomery Gelb, Greg's wife and noted vocalist on her own, switched the mood with her rendition of "I Thought of You," her soft-grained smoothness and clear diction buoyed by her husband on sax and Gladstone's rich bowing. The instrumentalists finished off the set with the jaunty "Don't Be That Way" and the toe-tapping "Airmail Special," the most upbeat and dance-inducing number of the evening, with dense chording on piano and hot licks on clarinet.
Within the formal setting of the Smedes Parlor and heard under the glittering chandelier, the music had already taken on a more classical feel. For the opening of the second half, the crossover was furthered by the playing of Bernstein's Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, the composer's first published work, completed in 1942. Gelb was joined in this performance by Milton Laufer, a distinguished pianist with a long list of credits, who has just begun a tenure as pianist-in-residence at Peace College (replacing Ray Kilburn). Together, he and Gelb attacked the sonata with ferocity and extreme emotion. Gelb proved himself an accomplished player in a more structured work. The many conflicting moods of the piece eerily reflected those of the audience in these unsettling times.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Gregg Gelb and his Swing band recently played at a dance for the Rowan Public Library. The “Big Swing” dance was part of a month long program of activities planned for The Big Read, a National Endowment for the Arts and Institute for Museum and Library Services grant which Rowan Public Library received. We chose to celebrate the novel The Grapes of Wrath and asked Mr. Gelb to tailor his program so that it would include music primarily from the 1930’s Swing Era. He and his band did a wonderful job. We could not have been more pleased. They were flexible with their fee which helped us working within grant budget restrictions. They were accommodating and cooperative with our agenda that evening which included dance exhibitions from a local dance studio. Dancer’s age ranged from 6-nearly 90. The music was fabulous and just what we had hoped for as far as period and exceeded our expectations in musicianship.
We were just delighted with the dance and the music that the Gregg Gelb Swing Band provided and would certainly recommend them for any type of activity whether it is a concert, educational program or dance.
Best regards,
Gretchen Witt
Local History/Genealogy Room Supervisor
___________________________________________________________________________________
I would like to recommend Mr. Gregg Gelb for a resident artist position with ArtsTeach. Mr. Gelb presented a jazz program for the Music Appreciation class, Honors Band students and the African-American History class on April 18, 2008 at Western Harnett High School. The students and faculty were treated to a timeline of jazz history and music ranging from Dixieland to Bebop and Free Form jazz. Mr. Gelb demonstrated the various styles and composers on clarinet and alto and tenor saxophone. His thorough knowledge of jazz history and his mastery of jazz improvization and technique was like bringing the textbooks to life. With his experience as Visiting Artist at Central Carolina Community College and as bandleader for his own jazz swing band, Mr. Gelb is uniquely qualified. His ability to teach, perform, inspire and broaden the jazz audience make Mr. Gregg Gelb the perfect choice for a resident artist position.
Sincerely,
Sandra H. McNeill
Music Teacher
Western Harnett High School
Lillington, NC
___________________________________________________________________________________
To Whom It May Concern:
Gregg Gelb has brought jazz performers to Ingram Elementary School four
times within the past ten years. Each visit has been greatly
anticipated by our students, who have always been delighted with the
performers. I have sought out Gregg’s Heart of Carolina jazz
performances and always felt extremely lucky when our school has been
chosen to host his special guest artists.
Gregg directs the Heart of Carolina Jazz Orchestra, a non-profit big
band which promotes jazz music education through performances around
Sanford, NC. For each of their evening Temple Theater jazz
performances, they also present an education workshop where their
featured guest artist demonstrates and performs for students either
within the public schools or at after school daycare organizations.
In September 2006, Gregg brought Ramon Kenan (trumpet) and Taylor
(piano) to my school. I prepared the students ahead of time during
their music classes, using school resources and some materials that
Gregg loaned to me. Approximately half of the student body (@300
students) attended the jazz presentation, and it was a great success.
I highly recommend Gregg for an artist residency within the ArtsTeach
program. Your students will be greatly entertained while being
educated.
Sincerely,
Joy Snipes Downes
Music Teacher
Ingram Elementary