Rufus Reid (USA)
Double Bass Clinic Aug 7-12, Festival Performances: Weds 8th Aug, Sat 11th Aug
One of today's premiere bassists on the international jazz scene, with his reputation firmly established in the education arena, Rufus Reid received a 2006 Fellowship from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Rufus travels throughout the world as guest artist performing his compositions with both small and large ensembles. Rufus' book, The Evolving Bassist, published since 1974, continues to be recognized as the industry standard as the definitive bass method. January, 2000, the book's millennium edition was published. In December 2003, The Evolving Bassist DVD was released.
Rufus Reid is equally known as an exceptional educator, teaching clinics since 1971, with associations with Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshops, the Stanford University Jazz Workshop, and the Lake Placid Institute, to name a few. Rufus was on the faculty of William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey, as Full Professor and 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.
Rufus Reid's major professional career began in Chicago and continues since 1976 in New York City. His extensive jazz background and discography reads literally like the Who's Who in jazz. He has traveled, performed and recorded with many of the great Jazz Masters. He was privileged to share many musical moments with some that have passed on: Gene Ammons, Kenny Dorham, Eddie Harris, Sonny Stitt, Don Byas, Philly Joe Jones, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Dexter Gordon, Bill Evans, Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie, and Art Farmer. Rufus happily continues performing and recording in collaboration with other wonderful musicians, such as Lee Konitz, Roni Ben-Hur, Bob Mintzer, George Cables, Billy Hart, Bill Mays and Marvin Stamm, as well as his own group, The Rufus Reid Quintet. Rufus has performed and recorded with Andre Previn, Kathleen Battle and the St. Lukes Chamber Orchestra.
The Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation awarded Rufus The 2005 Mellon Jazz 2005 Living Legacy Award for his dedication to America’s National Cultural Treasure: Jazz, and his personal and professional commitment to Jazz Education in the Mid-Atlantic Region.
The International Society of Bassists presented Rufus with their highest honor, The Distinguished Achievement Award, in 2001. The New Jersey Chapter of the IAJE named him OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR of 1999. The International Association of Jazz Educators awarded Rufus the Humanitarian Award in 1997 BASS PLAYER magazine, awarded Rufus the 1998 Jazz Educator Achievement Award.
Rufus Reid truly continues to be THE EVOLVING BASSIST.
www.rufusreid.com
SJP would like to thank Aer Lingus for their help in bringing Mr Reid's Bass to Ireland for the first time
