Albert B. is a saxophonist and composer from California's Bay Area. Throughout high school, Albert studied exclusively with Dann Zinn. During this time, Albert toured throughout Europe, playing at major jazz festivals such as the Montreux, Vienne, Northsea, and Umbria Jazz Festivals. Most recently, Albert led his quartet for a week in Switzerland at the Bern Jazz Festival.
Currently, Albert lives in Brooklyn, New York and recently earned his undergraduate degree at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. In New York, he plays regularly in the bands of drummer Kyle Poole, bassists Alex Claffy and Devin Starks, trumpeter Sam Neufeld, and saxophonist Max Zooi. Though jazz is his forte, Albert can be heard with singer/songwriter Matthew Marsh. When in California, Albert performs and tours with the co-led quintet, Nice Young Men.
In the past, Albert has shared the stage with Steve Wilson, Duane Eubanks, Frank Vignola, Gordon Goodwin, Steve Turre, and others. In New York, Albert has performed at Smalls Jazz Club, The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival, The Shrine, Joe's Pub, Arlene's Grocery, among others. Throughout the U.S., Albert has performed at Yoshi's Jazz Club, SF Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Chris' Jazz Cafe, among others. Albert has studied with Dann Zinn, Aaron Parks, Myron Walden, Ben Wendel, Aaron Goldberg, Jaleel Shaw, Kirk Nurock, Kevin Hays, David Binney, Chris Cheek, and Ben Street.
Albert has gained years of private study with masters of music, and can transfer everything he has learned to you! Though Albert targets at first the students problem areas, week after week Albert will provide a positive driven practice regimen to strengthen levels of musicianship, technicality, and talent. Albert in the long run chooses to focus less on what students fail in, but focuses on strong areas, believing that when our strong points are at their best, everything else will soon follow along to success. Albert can cover all areas within the saxophone, flute, clarinet, guitar, and piano, as well as ear training, sight reading, and audition skills, among others.
*** Lesson Details ***
Target Areas:
Technique - mastering the instrument and all the intricate aspects that make it difficult for many, but not for you!
Tone - understanding how to achieve the best sound, and understanding what you the student wants to sound like
Musicianship - how to play and communicate with a band
*** Studio Equipment ***
Having recorded at great studios like Systems Two and The Bunker Studio in Brooklyn, I've had the pleasure of being rewarded the opportunity to use great microphones at the studios.
*** Travel Equipment ***
Hard Shell SKB case - Great for traveling on long flights. Keeps my saxophone safe and secure!
New Yorks MTA - can take me long and far wherever the gig or the student is!
*** Specialties ***
Jazz and Composition. I've spent a great deal of my musical career studying each and every day these two subjects.