Don Menza

Don Menza with The Louie Bellson Orchestra at the 1979 Concord Jazz Festival.

Don Menza is an American saxophonist, arranger, composer, session musician and jazz educator noted for his many contributions to American jazz and big band music. ^[1]

Early years

Don Menza was born and raised in Buffalo, New York, where he began playing tenor saxophone when he was 13. He studied saxophone with legendary musician and teacher John Sedola. After serving in the U. S. Army, he worked with Maynard Ferguson's Orchestra (1960-1962) as both a soloist and an arranger. A short tenure with Stan Kenton and a year leading a quintet in Buffalo preceded a period living in Germany (1964-1968). Later, he returned to the United States and joined Buddy Rich's 1968 big band in the "jazz tenor" chair, recording the famous solo cadenza on "Channel One Suite" (Recorded "live" at Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas) that utilized circular breathing and has become known as a classic among music educators and musicians alike. In the late 1960s, he settled in California and performed in the bands of Elvin Jones (1969) and Louie Bellson. Other artists with which Menza has recorded include Keely Smith, Cold Blood, Natalie Cole, Pat Boone, and Leonard Cohen.

Educator and composer

His work as a jazz educator is renowned among his peers, as exemplified by numerous guest appearances at the conventions of the International Association for Jazz Education. His compositions, such as "Groovin' Hard" and "Time Check" (both favorites of Doc Severinsen's NBC Orchestra and Buddy Rich's Big Band) have become standard repertoire in jazz studies programs at colleges and universities worldwide. In addition to numerous recordings as a sideman, Menza has recorded as a leader for Saba (1965) in Germany, Discwasher (1979), Realtime, Palo Alto (the latter two in 1981), and Verve (GRP).

Don Menza is the father of drummer Nick Menza, best known for his work in thrash metal band Megadeth

Don is an accomplished hand engraver and has engraved many of his own saxophones.

Discography

• Don Menza - Very Live at Groovy - (2008) Label: Artie Music[1]. Personnel: Markku Johansson, Esko Linnavallli, Jesper Lundgaard, Esko Rosnell.
• Burnin - (2002) Label: Real Time. Personnel: Chuck Findley, Ron King, Jack Nimitz, Don Rader, Bill Reichenbach, Joe Romano, Frank Strazzeri, Bobby Shew and Frank Szabo.
• Menza Lines - The Don Menza Big Band. (2005) Label: Jazzed Media. Personnel: Don Menza: leader, tenor saxophone; Chuck Findley, Bobby Shew, Don Rader, Ron King, Frank Szabo: trumpet; Bill Reichenbach, Alex Iles, Bob McChesney, John Hasselback: trombone; Lanny Morgan, Russ D'Alba, Doug Webb, Tom Peterson, Jack Nimitz: reeds; Mike Abene: piano; Chris Conner: bass; Mark Waggoner: guitar; Mike Stephans: drums.
• Voyage - Don Menza & the SWR Big Band. (2007) Label: Hänssler Classic. Personnel: Don Menza (tenor saxophone), Don Rader, Claus Reichstaller, Felice Civitareale, Klaus Graf (saxophone), Klaus Wagenleiter (piano), Marc Godfroid (trombone), Andreas Maile, Axel Kuhn, Ian Cumming, Joe Gallardo, Karl Farrent, Rudolf Reindl (flugelhorn)
• Jack Rabbitt - Don Menza (sax), Bobby Jones (Hammond B3 Organ), John Bacon (Drums). Cadence Jazz Records 1184
• The Best of Buddy Rich [LIVE] - Buddy Rich (2006). Label: LRC Ltd. COntains Menza's composition, "Time Check."
• The Best Of Buddy Rich: The Pacific Jazz Years - Buddy Rich. (1997) Label: Blue Note Records. Contains Menza's composition, "Groovin' Hard."
• Mercy, Mercy - The Buddy Rich Big Band. Contains Menza's famous solo (the "Menza Cadenza") during "Channel One Suite".
• Dallas Jazz Orchestra Plays Dee Barton (1994, Grammy nominated, 1996), Dallas Jazz Orchestra, featuring Don Menza
• A View From Within' - Frank Strazzeri (1973),
• Frames' - Frank Strazzeri (1974),
• Bones Blues - Pete Magadini (1976),
• First Flight - with Frank Rosolino and Alan Broadbent (1977),
• Dynamite "Live" at The Concord Jazz Festival (1980), 150 MPH (1974), Matterhorn (1978), Explosion (1975), East Side Suite (1989) - The Louie Bellson Orchestra,
• On Fire - Les Demerle with Bobby Shew and Lanny Morgan (1981),
• Hip Pocket' - Menza (playing alto and baritone saxophones) with Sal Nistico and Sam Noto (1981),
• "Live" At Joe Segal's Jazz Showcase - The Louie Bellson Quartet (1988),
• "Live" At Claudio's - Pete Magadini (1991)

References

External links

• Review of "Menza Lines" CD at AllAboutJazz.com
• Don Menza bio at Verve Music Group website
• Don Menza Bio at Allmusic website
• Review of "Menza Lines" CD at Allmusic
• Article: "Recommended Jazz Ensemble Repertoire," published in Jazz Education Journal, the official publication of the International Association for Jazz Education
• Jazz Improv Magazine website
• Don Menza listings on Ejazzlines.com