The Eric Mintel Quartet
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The Eric Mintel Quartet

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The best kept secret in music

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"Smooth Operators"

Smooth Operators
0 comments Published by Jeffrey Parks on 30 March 2007 at 23:59

Courier-Post
March 30, 2007
By Dana Forde

At a time when quality music groups are short lived, the Eric Mintel Quartet has proven that it has staying power. For more than a decade, the group's infectious jazz melodies and smooth style have captivated audiences from Colorado to New England.

After a personal request to play for former President Bill Clinton and 11 concerts at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., the Eric Mintel Quartet is on heavy rotation on XM Satellite Radio.

..Area jazz music lovers are wondering what will come next as the group performs at the Rutgers-Camden Center for the Arts on Saturday..

Jeffrey Parks, deputy director of external affairs at Rutgers... said he hopes the group's performance will encourage a younger generation to learn the richness of jazz music.

"..People are really hungry for this music. We're really lucky to live in a region that has this kind of talent."

Graziella D'Amelio, executive director of the LifeLine Music Coalition, encourages local residents to support homegrown talents like the members of the quartet.

"They should take advantage of the treasures that are right in their back yard," D'Amelio said. "People can really celebrate the gift of music. Local doesn't mean amateur."

Mintel said the fans are what keep the group energized.

"The audience is the main important ingredient," Mintel said. "I hope they say, "Wow. I've never heard jazz like that before.'"


tags: jazz, press


- Jeff Parks / Dana Ford


"Pianist Eric Mintel Charms Crowd"

Pianist Eric Mintel Charms Crowd
Posted: 2003-12-29

December 21, 2003
By Jeff Rivers, Hartford Courant Staff Writer.
The Eric Mintel Quartet treated the audience at Cheney Hall in Manchester Saturday night to a flavorful mixture of holiday favorites and originals. Billed as “A Charlie Brown Christmas”, the concert grabbed the audience right away with “Christmas is Coming” one of the tunes Vince Guraldi wrote for “A Charlie Brown Christmas”, the 1965 television special. The quartet's energetic and accessible playing on that tune set the tone for the evening that ended with Dave Brubeck's ”Blue Rondo a la Turk” and a standing ovation. The four men ambled on stage wearing dark suits. Still, during their two sets, they played and interacted with each other with a sunny disposition on a crisp night, while some in the crowd came wearing clothing festooned with holiday scenes. Mintel, a lyrical pianist with a sometimes light but always sure touch, had many outstanding moments on stage as he wound his way through tunes such as “What is This Thing Called Love?” and Guraldi's ”Christmas Time is Here,” which had some of the baby boomers in the audience swooning. Mintel's uncomplicated compositions such as ”Hartford” which he played in the capital city last summer, showcased the pianist's fluid playing and the solid work of his band mates. At the end of the show, Mintel said he hoped to return to the area next year to give another performance. The audience clapped and roared at the prospect.

Visit website


- by Jeff Rivers Hartford Courant


"The Eric Mintel Quartet Live @ XM"

The Eric Mintel Quartet
Live @ XM Radio
(Ericmintelquartet.com ***)

Pianist Eric Mintel continues to develop his easy-to-take quartet with this live performance broadcast over XM satellite radio.

The 1985 Pennridge High School grad, who has played at the White House, hawked his CDs over QVC, and was featured last year on Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz radio show, creates jazz that is accessible, friendly and much in the jazz-classical tradition of his idol, Dave Brubeck.

This set with the agile alto saxophonist and Maynard Ferguson alum Nelson Hill is exuberant, and rests easily within the mainstream jazz tradition. Mintel is all about pleasing and blending in. Chaos is not in the picture. He can even write originals such as "Gone With the Wind" that sound like old standards, or redo real ones like "Take the A Train" with brio.

- K.S.
- Philadelphia Inquirer


"Eric Mintel Quartet"

Mintel has a poet's gift for expression.
Reviewer: Lee Prosser, Jazz Review.com
If you have not had a chance to hear the performances of the Eric Mintel Quartet, then grab a copy of their new release, Hopscotch, and settle back for some excellent contemporary jazz. This fine collection features 11 songs with liner notes by pianist Dave Brubeck and commentary by Eric Mintel. With the exception of "Forty Days" by Dave Brubeck and "Caravan" by Duke Ellington, all other compositions are by Eric Mintel. Mintel has a poet's gift for expressing jazz motifs in music, and his compositions are highly enjoyable. The performances on this collection are top notch. Songs include "Hopscotch", "Swingin' on a Sunday", "Japanese Maple", "Caribbean Moonlight", "Dance of the Beautiful", "Philadelphia Blues". "To Jobim", "Fall Waltz" and "Strollin'". Dave Antonow gives the jazz listeners some fine and pensive bass playing, and his solo work is exceptional. The CD showcases the many talents of Eric Mintel, and listeners will enjoy his intricate, individualistic and stylish piano musings in such memorable performances as "Japanese Maple", "Fall Waltz" and "To Jobim", among others. I liked the song "Strollin'" very much too. "Caribbean Moonlight" contains some great solo performances and deserves air play for it's original sounds. What will attract listeners to HOPSCOTCH is its geniune jazzy feel and jazz approaches. The music is fresh and original. If you are looking for a fresh, innovative new jazz pianist, give Eric Mintel a listen! The Eric Mintel Quartet performances on HOPSCOTCH are enjoyable, entertaining and jazz expression at its finest.
- Jazz Review


"Eric Mintel Silent Night"

Editorial Reviews
Product Description

Eric Mintel is alone on this disc of beautiful solo piano Christmas music. Performing classic Christmas songs and original Christmas compositions. Perfect for holiday gatherings or quiet moments alone throughout the year.
- Amazon.com


"Eric Mintel Quartet Dynamo"

“Dynamo” what a joyous wonderful sound. It has been about 6 years since I have met the artist Eric James Mintel. I have in my music collection all of his CD’s, one of his cassette tapes and one of his DVD’s. He and his selected and very artistic group are one of the very best and gifted groups to enter the jazz field for many years. It has been my pleasure to go to some of his many performances and use all of my senses to observe his talent. To just listen to the sound is only the tip of the iceberg. The smoothness of his own piece of music as well as his renditions of classic jazz compositions gives you a feeling of soft and well thought out feelings. Seeing the group play is an encounter, that everyone who enjoys jazz or who wants to experience the listening pleasure of classic jazz should make, that will be well rewarded.
- Leon Magruder


"Letters from Fans of Eric Mintel and the Eric Mintel Quartet"

Eric,

My 16 year-old son and I were driving home from the music store when we heard "Four on the Floor" on XM satellite radio. Their jazz channels are about all we listen to any more.We heard your cut at about 1PM CDT on XM "Real Jazz CH 70." It was very clear that the DJ thought a lot of your music. He identified you, CD and cut, calling "Four on the Floor" your latest release. I thought you would enjoy knowing your music is now beaming in from space.

I got home, Googled your name .... found your WEB site and from there to CDBaby, whom I have bought from before.

Funny story ... my 16 year-old son is very serious about his music, mostly rock until a bout six months ago. We were out driving with XM on and he heard Thelonious Monk for the first time. "what is that ?" he said. I told him lets not do labels yet, just listen. he switched back and forth for the next hour between "Real Jazz " ch70 and "Beyond Jazz" ch71. That is all it took, he was hooked.
John M.
St. Louis, MO


Eric,

I thought you would enjoy hearing about my son's band (100% jazz) They have basically memorized your third CD. They are trying to learn your tunes from "On the floor" by ear. I forget the name of the tune, but it is the last cut on #3. They are nuts over the cut and most of the CD. IA couple of tunes on that CD are to them as Spyro Gyro was to me 35 years ago. It is drawing them into jazz. I think there is a whole new generation of young people getting into jazz. They are not getting what they need from rap and the like and craving something new.

Now my son listens to 100%. All styles not just the rock influenced style. And for 5 teenage players in St. Louis, it all started when they heard your CD on XM.
John M
St. Louis, MO

Eric:

It was a true pleasure meeting you last evening at 88's. My wife and I felt it was as if we'd known you for years. Thank you for being so personable, upbeat, and extending your warm welcome to us. Something you don't see often in jazz clubs or in the music world in general. Just our congratulations for an outstanding performance. We needed that in the worst way. Back in the 80's, we used to frequent jazz clubs in NJ and NYC but then our son came along in '93 and that did it for a while. We're huge fans of Horace Silver and his type of jazz. We actually saw him play at the Blue Note in NYC back in about 1984. Also Coltrane, Miles, Cannonball Adderly, Art Blakey, Bill Evans, etc. We also like David Benoit very much.

Just absolutely superb. I play a 4 string electric bass guitar myself (Ibanez) so I can appreciate Dave Antonow's gift. I play mostly along with my audio system at home, primarily blues and classic rock. Can't play jazz just yet. We'll keep checking your performance schedule. Am already on disc 2 of the 3 CD set. Love it !! What you wrote on the back cover of the box was so meaningful. We hope to bring some friends along next time. God bless in your travels. Stay safe.

Peter & Kyle
Flemington, NJ


Hi Eric,

Thanks for getting back to us and for all your kind words. Daria and I will definately be on the lookout for Times Change - we listen to your music everyday - honestly!! The girls do love it and they get on the piano and bang away trying to copy the music. I think that it would be wonderful if you could schedule a show at the Tabernacle and we would love to attend. We have many firends on the Vineyard and make it a point to get there often, which is pretty easy for us as we live right across the Sound in Falmouth. We also have been meaning to buy the live CD and will go ahead and do that on CD Baby.

Good luck with the arrangements and please keep us posted. You can depend on us coming out to support you when you are in our area!

Kind regards,
Michael, Daria, Phoebe, and Sophia
Sandwich, MA




Sorry you can't make it to the Jazz festival, you will miss the leader of The Adam Solomon Quartet. Maybe next time. We look forward to the new CD. I think our copy of Dynamo is getting worn out ! I ran the PA system at the Wissahickon Jazz festival and played some cuts from the CD at intermissions. People from the audience came up to me wanting to know who I was playing! Take care!
Eric S.
Philadelphia, PA

Mr. Mintel,
The disc is very good and I have played it too many times! I liken your music to a modern day Dave
Brubeck Quartet type of vibe, which is quite. I hope you continue to
record and release your music in live settings and perhaps a trip to
Albany, N.Y. (capital of New York State) wouldn't be out of the
question?!?

Jamie
A big EMQ fan
Albany, NY


Eric

It is good to see the new CD on its way. If it is like the track on the
website then it should be wonderful. FYI I was listening to music channel 850 on Direct TV last night (otherwise known as XM70) and I heard a song from Four on the floor. I am going to give away these new cd's to friends and family. C - EMQ Fan emails:


"Jazz Messengers"

Jazz Messengers: Eric Mintel
By Matt Smith

Marko Marcinko, the driving force behind the second annual Scranton Jazz Festival, is a one-man army when it comes to promoting the NEPA jazz scene. The same goes for jazz pianist Eric Mintel and jazz goings-on in Bucks County, a northeast suburb of Philadelphia.
So it was mutual admiration at first meeting, said Mintel, who connected with Marcinko in November of last year. "This is the funny thing," said the pianist. "The first time I met Marko is when he did a QVC show with me. Dave Mohn wasn't able to do it because of conflicting gigs so I was looking for a drummer and I found out about Marko. He drove down, and did a spectacular job. ... He's a hell of a drummer."
Mintel added that he and Marcinko share a "fire in the belly" for promoting themselves, and the music they love. "I've learned to be pleasantly persistent," noted the Feasterville resident. "We have to blow our own horns, so to speak." (Editor's note: I scribed more than one article about Mintel when I edited a Bucks County entertainment weekly.)
Mintel organizes a jazz festival in Morrisville, a small town across the Delaware River from Trenton, N.J., and is ubiquitous at Delaware Valley clubs, colleges, and community concert series. He'll be making his first appearance in the Electric City with a 3 p.m. Saturday set in the Scranton Jazz Festival. He'll be joined by Dave Antonell on bass, Nelson Hill on alto saxophone, and Dave Mohn on drums.
Mintel plans to get even more acquainted with the northeastern portion of state, playing the Deer Head Inn in Delaware Water Gap Aug. 4 and making his Musikfest debut with an Aug. 7 performance in Bethlehem. He also has a tentative gig in Monroe County slated for November, and he's even considering recording his next CD in the region.
The poster for the Scranton Jazz Festival bills the Eric Mintel Group as a "jazz quartet in the style of Dave Brubeck," and while he's definitely a disciple of the "Take Five" legend (with whom he exchanges frequent correspondence), Mintel said he is "slowly extricating myself from that pigeonhole.
"(My music) is in that style - it's lyrical and melodic - but it's also very rhythmic, very energetic. And we still go out-there, too - we can be very avant garde. It's 'Dave Brubeck with a twist.' That's how I've described it over the years. But I'm definitely coming into my own."

- By Matt Smith


"LA Jazz Scene"

Eric Mintel
Live @ XM
(EJM)

The Eric Mintel Quartet, comprised of the pianist-leader, Nelson Hill on alto, soprano and flute, bassist Dave Antonow and drummer Dave Mohn, has been together for a few years, and it shows. On this CD, a live radio broadcast from June 27, 2006, Mintel and his quartet put on a very musical and entertaining show. It is obvious as soon as Mintel plays a chordal solo, that Dave Brubeck is one of his main influences. Mintel does not explore polyrhythms or polytonality that extensively, so the influence is mostly felt in his chord voicings. When Mintel plays single-note lines, he sounds more individual. In any case, he swings hard throughout and pushes the other members of the quartet. Nelson Hill has attractive tones on his instruments, recalling Phil Woods a little on alto (but not when he plays firey double time lines) and Zoot Sims on soprano. With fine support offered by bassist Antonow and drummer Mohn, the group romps through a few originals plus "Take The 'A' Train" and "Gone With The Wind." The newer material is complex enough to be memorable and accessible. In addition, Mintel talks a little and is interviewed by Jackson Brady who hosts the Real Jazz show on XM radio. Eric Mintel lives in Pennsylvania and his quartet often performs in the Washington DC area. Hopefully they will appear in Los Angeles someday but in the meantime, Live @ XM (along with the group's other recordings) will have to suffice. This spirited outing is available from www.ericmintelquartet.com.
Scott Yanow - Scott Yanow


"A letter From our Russian Fans"

Dear Mr. Mintel

We are writing to you to express our appreciation of your music. We learned about your quartet quite by accident - we basically walked into one of the Quartet's performances. We were immediately carried away by very energetic, yet very melodic jazz.

We would never pretend to know or understand a lot about jazz. But the performance of your group was one memorable event. The musicians had excellent rapport with the audience. They were as enjoyable to watch as to listen to. We could see the music created before our own eyes. We very much enjoyed your original pieces. They were full of bold improvisation, yet beautifully melodious. The famous jazz tunes you played did not sound as mere repetions of someone else's style but instead they sounded fresh and vibrant and almost seemed created again. The group sounded great together and solos were simply terrific.

We would like once again to thank you and your colleagues for a wonderful musical experience. We hope that more and more people will have the opportunity to enjoy jazz the way you play it.
Sincerely,
Larry Marfitsin
Tatiana Sougakova - EMQ Fan Mail


Discography

Times Change 2007
Live @ XM 2006
Four on the Floor 2005
EMQ 3 CD Box Set 2005
Dynamo 2004
Hopscotch 2002
EMQ Live 2001
Silent Night 2000

Photos

Feeling a bit camera shy

Bio

"As long as the music attracts dedicated young musicians like Eric Mintel, jazz will continue to thrive and progress as a voice of freedom."
Dave Brubeck.

Pianist and composer Eric Mintel was born on October 8, 1967. As early as age three he could be found sitting at the piano creating his own melodies. Music, especially classical and jazz, was always part of the Mintel household. In 1982 when his piano teacher was trying to teach Eric the basics, Eric was already playing compositions like Blue Rondo a la Turk, Take Five and other demanding pieces. Eric graduated from Pennridge High School in Perkasie, PA in 1985.

In 1993 he formed the Eric Mintel Quartet and began touring the college and university circut. A composer of orchestral and choral music, Eric performs his composition "Millennium Suite" (for orchestra and jazz quartet) with various symphonies throughout the country incorporating jazz and classical music. The quartet's choral concerts feature the sacred choral music of Duke Ellington performed with various choirs throughout the country combining jazz and choral music.

In 1998 Eric performed at the White House for former President Bill Clinton. Eric has been interviewed and featured in Down Beat Jazz Magazine, in March 2000 and June 2004. In June 2005 Eric was the featured guest on Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz on NPR. Eric's show on Piano Jazz received rave reviews and was heard on over 200 radios staions in the Us and in Europe on European cable. Recently the quartet opened for Dave Brubeck at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, PA. In November 2005, Eric released a 3 CD Boxed set of his jazz on the QVC Television network. In June 2006, the Eric Mintel Quartet was invited to XM Satellite Radio's World Headquarters' in Washington, DC to perform in XM's State of the Art Live Performance Theater. The quartet's one hour show aired to the XM Nation on August 12, 2006 on Real Jazz XM 70.

Eric Mintel recently became a Yamaha Performing Artist and now endorses the Yamaha C7 Concert Grand and CP300 Keyboard.

With over ten concerts at the Kennedy Center and Eric's willingness to bring jazz to different regions this exciting performer continues to connect and communicate with audiences of all ages throughout the country and the world. Eric resides in Feasterville (Bucks County, PA) with his wife Darby and 6 year old daughter Tess.