Richard Reiter
LEADER OF ONE OF THE MOST CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED
CONTEMPORARY JAZZ GROUPS IN AMERICA

THE RICHARD REITER AFRO-JAZZ PROJECT

Click here to watch the Richard Reiter Afro-Jazz Project performing in concert.
Low Res (8.2 MB)

High Res (24.7 MB)

 The Richard Reiter Afro-Jazz Project in concert

Featuring the magical sounds of Africa,
performed by the Richard Reiter Afro-Jazz Project!

12 NEW COMPOSITIONS BY EMMY AWARD
WINNING COMPOSER RICHARD REITER

 Critics praise "I Hear Africa"

"Reiter is a wonderfully polished saxophonist, with a beautiful sound on
each of the saxophones he plays, and also demonstrates command of the flute.
This is an impressive hour of performances by a consummate musician."
Winthrop Bedford--Jazz Improv

"Jobim Time, especially, contains an excellent series of mainstream modern
improvisations. Jaunty two-beat fusion, wistful ballad, Afro-Pop,
whatever--the compositions and the band's renditions of them reflect
consummate professionalism."
David Franklin--JazzTimes

 I HEAR AFRICA -- Musicians (and their performing credits)

Richard Reiter: tenor and soprano saxophones (plus alto and baritone on Ca Va Bien), flute
     Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Nancy Wilson, Johnny Mathis, Temptations, Supremes

Mitch Schecter: keyboard
     Andy Statman, Vic Juris, Warren Vache, Gary Mazzaroppi, Eddie Daniels, Mike Stern

Josh Rubin: guitar
     George Coleman, Claudio Roditi, Grady Tate, Mike Richmond, Perry Robinson, Martha Reeves

Takashi Otsuka: bass
     Bob Mintzer, Lew Soloff, Claudio Roditi, Eliot Zigmund, Perry Robinson, Vic Juris

Luther Rix: drum set
     Bob Dylan, Bette Midler, Patty LaBelle, Doc Severensen, Barry Manilow, Esther Phillips

Billy Bungo: djembe, sabar (mbalak, griron), Moroccan bongos, cow bells, agogos
     Fela, Dizzy Gillespie, Jimmy Heath, Olatunji Dance Company, Chico Mendoza


Click here to play "Initiation" from "I Hear Africa": Reiter's exciting Afro-jazz tune,
performed by the Richard Reiter Afro-Jazz Project featuring Reiter's tenor saxophone
(Quicktime 332K)


Click here to play "Jobim Time" from "I Hear Africa". Reiter's Afro-jazz tune with a
Latin flavor, performed by the Richard reiter Afro-jazz Project, featuring Reiter's flute.
(Quicktime 761K)

Click here to play "Ca Va Bien" from "I Hear Africa": Reiter's jubilant
a cappella saxophones, inspired by male African a cappella vocal groups.
(Quicktime 450K)


GROUPS AVAILABLE FOR CONCERTS

· Richard Reiter Afro-Jazz Project: 5-7 musicians featuring African percussion, performing music from "I Hear Africa" plus selections from the other CDs
· Richard Reiter Jazz Trio/Quartet/Quintet: performing music from all 4 of Reiter's CDs

Now Available!
Best Of Cover
This CD features 16 of Reiter's favorite compositions from Listener Friendly, Point of No Return,
The Time Has Come
and I Hear Africa. To order, Click Here.

Click Here to listen to excerpts of all 16 tracks from The Best of Richard Reiter (length 14:52)
(Quicktime 9.2 MB) (MP3 21.4MB)

 

HISTORY OF RICHARD REITER'S CONTEMPORARY JAZZ GROUPS
     Originally called Crossing Point, but now called The Richard Reiter
Afro-Jazz Project, Richard Reiter's contemporary jazz group has dazzled
critics since 1985. His recordings ("Listener Friendly" - 1985, "Point of No
Return" - 1988, "The Time Has Come" - 1991, "I Hear Africa" - 2002) feature
Reiter's compositions and have received airplay on hundreds of radio
stations nationwide. "I Hear Africa" features the exciting sounds of
African percussion, and Reiter based a number of his new songs on Afro-Pop
music. Reiter possesses a special gift for melody, and in 1979 he received
an EMMY Award for his score to "Generation on the Wind," an Academy Award
nominated documentary feature film. Reiter received international attention
when the USIA featured his band in three TV shows it broadcast worldwide as
part of its series "Arts America."
     Performing saxophones, clarinets and flutes, Reiter has appeared as guest jazz soloist with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, on-stage soloist in Bob Fosse's Broadway musical "Dancin'," and backup for such artists as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Nancy Wilson, Johnny Mathis, Temptations and Supremes. He has composed over seventy scores for films, TV shows, commercials, dance companies and theaters.
     In recognition of his talent, and with a support letter from legendary jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins, Reiter has been awarded three composition/performance grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. Reiter is listed in the Marquis "Who's Who in Entertainment."
     In 1999, Reiter traveled to Dakar, Senegal (West Africa) to perform with many Afro-Pop bands and study African drumming. It was an instant love affair. The musicians loved performing with him and Reiter loved their evocative music. Newspapers wrote articles about him and Senegal's national radio station "Dakar FM" played his CDs. Reiter has infused his new music with these magical sounds and African percussion is now a vital part of a performance by The Richard Reiter Afro-Jazz Project.

TO ORDER RECORDINGS CLICK HERE

 

 

 

 Click here to play a Crossing Point Excerpt: My Man Mike (By Richard Reiter)
(Quicktime 293k) (MP3 807k)

REVIEWS OF REITER'S FIRST THREE CDs
"Richard Reiter has forged a personal sound on his saxophone. His playing is expressive and his compositions are well-crafted." Bill Milkowski-DownBeat

"Of all the jazz groups dedicated to the 'pop-jazz' doctrine, Reiter's is the one that adds true distinction to the category." Jeff Levenson-New York Correspondent, DownBeat

"Reiter's band is one of the most delightful fusion bands to come skipping around the bend in some time. They provide catchy melodies, fresh solos, and a rare engaging vitality." Lee Jeske-Cash Box

"Yeah, these guys are good! And they do, indeed, sound like a band with a collective vision and unified soul. In all, a highly effective showcase for Reiter and his group." Chuck Berg-JazzTimes

"Multireedman Richard Reiter leads a fine fusion group with results that compare favorably with any band in the style." Fred Goodman-Billboard

"Reiter's group plays with the kind of polish and taste that make this highly melodic music certainly worth a spin. Theirs is a clever melding of jazz, New Age and rockish components." Hugh Wyatt-New York Daily News

"This band combines the best characteristics of jazz and rock-funk, and is the kind of group that could give fusion a good name. Richard Reiter is a resourceful soloist who composes exceptionally melodic compositions." George Kanzler-The Star Ledger

"Richard Reiter's subtle introduction of urban blues, Latin rhythms and classical elements into the jazz character of his music has earned new respect for the fusion genre."
W. Royal Stokes-The Washington Post

 

36 Catherine Court, Cedar Grove, New Jersey 07009 USA
Land Line (973) 857-2557 • Cell-Voice/Text (973) 865-3657
e-mail: reiterjazz@gmail.com

Secondary emails: reiterjazz@yahoo.com | reiterjazz@optonline.net

 

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Sounds of the Caribbean | Richard Reiter Productions | Biography | Richard Reiter Resume | Order Recordings

 


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