Traditions

Don’t think too much

By Zan Stewart
Jazziz Magazine, April 2004

The lineage of the saxophone in jazz is long and rich, and Dave Glasser knows it first hand. The 41-year-old alto saxophonist has had the privilege of working with masters such as tenorman Illinois Jacquet – in whose big band he played lead alto in the late ‘80s and early-to-mid 90’s – and composer, arranger, and tenor saxophonist Frank Foster, in the Count Basie Orchestra.

Glasser, who played cello before taking up the alto at age 12, also has deep knowledge of Duke Ellington’s alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges, the subject of his masters thesis in jazz performance at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. He transcribed numerous Hodges solos in the process. Still, Glasser says he likes “to play by ear, not think too much about the chord changes. That was the way I learned: playing along with records. So I just try and listen and play what I’m hearing.”

Listen to Glasser’s new CD, Begin Again (chiaroscuro) where he plays with pianist Tardo Hammer, bassist, Lee Hudson, and drummer Tony Jefferson. You’ll hear his personal style built on a warm sound and an ear for choice notes. It’s an approach that reflects the influences of Hodges, Charlie Parker, and especially Dexter Gordon, his initial inspiration.

“When I was a teenager, a friend of mine turned me on to Dexter’s Blues a la Suisse (prestige), which had the rhythm section of pianist Hampton Hawes, bassist Bob Cranshaw, and drummer Kenny Clarke,” says Glasser, a native and resident of New York City. “I liked Dex’s big sound, his feel, the feel of the rhythm section. Listening to that record as my first gave me a standard by which to appreciate and judge swing.”

Later, as a student at the prestigious High School of Music and Art, Glasser took occasional private lessons from Lee Konitz, who, through his work with Miles David, Lennie Tristano, and later as a leader, had established himself as a singular voice on the alto.

“He told me to listen to Charlie Parker and Lester Young,” recalls Glasser. “From there, I would learn how to play the music. I remember coming into a lesson and hearing Lee – already a unique, creative artist – playing along with Bird’s record of ‘Out of Nowhere.’ That showed me you can’t be hurt by learning the history of this music.

Glasser currently works with trumpet maestro Clark Terry and bass ace Earl May as well as leading his own band.

Contact Dave: dgbebop@gmail.com