Saxophonist Jimmy Greene has traveled the world with jazz legends such as Horace Silver, Freddie Hubbard, Kenny Barron, and in recent years Ron Carter’s Foursight Quartet. But, when he goes back to the Saratoga Jazz Festival, it’s like old home week. He recently played the event with the Skidmore Jazz Institute Faculty All-Stars. “It’s always wonderful coming back here, pretty much every year for me for the last 12 or 13 years to come play at the festival and interact with the kids at the Skidmore Jazz Institute. I can’t say enough about Todd Coolman who puts these groups together. I’ve known Quincy Davis since the late 90s. Steve Davis was a professor of mine and teacher before that from when I was 15 or 16 years old. Clay (Jenkins) is wonderful.” The group also included veterans Miki Yamanaka and Dave Stryker.
Much of the band’s performance honored John Coltrane’s centennial, so of course, Greene was featured prominently. “John Coltrane is someone we all study. Especially playing the instrument I do. It’s pretty much mandatory that you spend a good chunk of your development studying his music and playing. What he means to our music, his legacy looms so large. Even at my stage right now where I do a lot of composing, arranging, and playing original music, I always come back to John Coltrane,” Greene said.
In addition to his work on the bandstand, Greene relishes the opportunity to teach the next generation of jazz musicians at Western Connecticut State University, Skidmore, and beyond. There were many students in the audience at the festival, paying rapt attention to their heroes.
Another annual highlight for Greene is getting to play with the legendary Carter, who often starts his quartet sets with a song that lasts over a half hour. “We’re just following him. He makes it so easy. His musical choices, every note he plays is just gold. Renee Rosnes, Donald Vega sometimes, and Payton Crossley, we have played that music with him for some time, so we know what direction he’s trying to go and we follow along with him. He’s an amazing musician and a good friend too, an amazing human being,” Greene said.
In addition to his work with the Maestro, Jimmy Greene will play with the WDR Big Band, Harry Connick, Jr. and Ted Rosenthal this summer. You can’t miss his big sound and his big heart.
Listen to the complete interview with Jimmy Greene below:
