Tabnik ( Richard )

rctbio Richard Tabnik, jazz alto saxophonist, was born in New York City on April 6th, 1952 at 1:16 a.m. He still loves being awake at that hour, especially for gigs and jam sessions.

Richard Tabnik has been living in New York City since 1979. Between 1975-79, he lived in Buffalo, N.Y. He appeared on radio, television, and in concert with his own groups. He played lead alto in Frank Fosters Big Band at The State University of New York at Buffalo, and was a featured soloist at the historic Colored Musicians Club. The apex of his time there was 2-1/2 years with the Federally-funded [CETA] Buffalo Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Allen Tinney, with whom Charlie Parker played early in his career at Monroes Uptown House. Prior to this, Richard wrote for and performed in various contexts in Houston, TX., Atlanta, GA., and Providence, R.I., where he had his first jazz gigs under the tutelage of guitarist Tom Brown, who also gave Roy Haynes, the great jazz drummer, his first gig. Richard Tabnik studied with jazz alto saxophonist Lee Konitz from 1970 to 1972.

Richard’s most important musical experience in life, undoubtedly, was studying Jazz Improvising on alto saxophone – and on piano for a few years as well – with the outstanding, unparalleled, and overwhelmingly sought-after teacher, pianist, singer, composer, band leader, President of New Artists Records, recording engineer, jazz historian and lecturer, etc., etc., Ms. Connie Crothers since January 1980.

He was presented in concert in her studio soon after that in duos with Peter Scattaretico on drums and Ms. Crothers on piano. Currently, Richard Tabnik may be heard on DUO DIMENSION (NA1003-CD&LP) on New Artists Records, with Connie Crothers on piano. He and Ms. Crothers have performed in duo and in quartet. They appeared with Carol Tristano on drums and Calvin Hill on bass at Greenwich House in NYC on April 6, 1990. Mr. Tabnik appeared with Ms. Tristano and Mr. Hill at Greenwich House on January 11, 1990. He appeared as a solo artist in concert at Greenwich House on February 9, 1991 and released the solo alto saxophone recording, SOLO JOURNEY.

Recently released is a trio recording with Carol Tristano on drums and Cameron Brown on bass. It is on New Artists Records and is entitled IN THE MOMENT (NA-1015CD).

A quartet record with Andy Fite on guitar, Calvin Hill on bass, and Roger Mancuso on drums entitled LIFE AT THE CORE has just been released. The quartet, with bassist Sean Smith, gigged around NYC during 1993-4 in various clubs. In addition to the settings he has recorded with, Richard Tabnik is currently performing with the newly-formed quartet CCQt, featuring Connie Crotherson piano, Roger Mancuso on drums, and Sean Smith on bass. He has also performed recently in a trio with Roger Mancuso and bassists Ed Broderick, Sean Smith and Chris Lough. Richard Tabnik is currently listed in the Penguin Book of Jazz on CD, Records, and Cassette.

Connie Crothers Quartet | CCQT | Ontology | NA1035

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“The most striking aspect of the music they create is their ability to communicate their individuality while blending into a functioning, cohesive ensemble. This requires a considered approach to the question of “…the nature aand relations of being…” in a democratic group context — thus ontology. Maintaining an individual identity while coalescing into such a satisfying ensemble, and simultaneously creating such a high level of musical quality and surprise, is the true challenge of jazz. The degree to which these four musicians succeed on “Ontology” is refreshing and rare.” — Art Lange, June 19999 (from liner notes) Continue reading →

Connie Crothers Quartet | music is a place | NA1043

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They may have started as members of the Lennie Tristano school of jazz, but the members of this highly evolved and polished quartet, as much a collective as the band of pianist Crothers, has ventured far beyond the tenets of Tristano. They take liberties with time, tone, tempo, dynamics and attack that would horrify more orthodox Tristanoites. The lesson they do take to heart is the valuable one of perseverance, of the importance of playing their music as often as possible, or, as Crothers says, “I put a ton of time behind everything I do . . . I spend time with music. It’s a joy! Never work.” Continue reading →

Connie Crothers Quintet | Live Outpost Performance Space Albuquerque, New Mexico | NA1041

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From piece to piece the music moves smoothly from accurate melodies to intense interaction then soft and mysterious textures that allow poet Mark Weber’s poetry to come through. Through many gestures that could be modal, harmonically static, bebop harmony, dense or open, vertical or horizontal, there is a lot more conversation going on than in many standard jazz quintets. — Francis Lo Kee Continue reading →

Notes from New York | a New Artists Record Sampler | NA1034

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“NOTES FROM NEW YORK” is a sampler of the New Artists’ catalog, not so much a “greatest hits” collection, as an overview that features virtually all the talented musicians that have recorded for the label. Each of the performances rewards repeated listenings… This independent label’s future looks quite bright as it continues to infuse jazz with feeling, creativity, and fresh ideas.” — Scott Yanow, Editor, All Music Guide To Jazz. Continue reading →