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News from 2011

Surprise, surprise-- another great year! Here are some highlights from my year that was 2011:

The Budman/Levy Orchestra album is mixed and mastered-- only the final touches are left. Sorry to keep the world from this music for so long. We promise it'll be worth the wait!

I continued to tour with pop legend Christopher Cross, playing alto sax, soprano sax and keyboards. The live shows and CC's new album are being very well received.

It was a productive year for the music of Clare and Brent Fischer. Besides performing with the Big Band, Latin Jazz Sextet and Clarinet Choir, I was fortunate to participate in the recording of two Clare Fischer albums. The Big Band album Continuum features me on a variety of instruments and I was honored to be the first to record the tune "Stoltz", composed for clarinet great Richard Stoltzman. The CF Voices album features me on soprano sax.

From the pop world:
Played the Greek Theatre with rock stars Cheap Trick
Backed crooner Engelbert Humperdinck in Atlantic City
Recorded on Rafael Saadiq's "Stone Rollin'" album

Years ago I had the pleasure of playing in a big band let by mega-talent Matt Catingub and this year I was excited to play under his baton conducting the Glendale Pops Orchestra.

Toured with talented songstress Jessica Fichot in Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona as well as Los Angeles.

The big bands I played with this year: Fischer BB, Geoff Stradling's Stradband, Chris Walden BB, Kim Richmond's Concert Jazz Orchestra, Tim Davies BB, Steve Huffsteter BB, Brian Swartz' Swartzestra, Lenny Stack BB, Bruce Lofgren BB, and Scott Healy's Tentet.

I closed the year with time on the road with the national touring production of Fiddler on the Roof. Besides playing clarinet and flute in the pit orchestra, I spent 17 minutes onstage each show playing and stylizing the great clarinet parts from the wedding scene. Cheers to all the hard-working members of the cast, crew and orchestra!

Well, there it is! (and was, I suppose) Look forward to many more adventures in 2012.
Rock on!
AB

Biography

Alex Budman is an active musician of 20 years with performing experience on all saxophones, clarinets, flutes, electric and acoustic basses.  His versatility has allowed him to perform and record with a wide range of artists including Liza Minnelli, Rosemary Clooney, Erykah Badu, Christopher Cross, Boz Scaggs, Eric Clapton, Bettye LaVette, The Funk Brothers, Wendy and Lisa, Busta Rhymes, Jesús Díaz, Glide Memorial Church Band and the San Jose Symphony. 

As a bandleader in the San Francisco Bay Area, Alex directed his 16-piece Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, playing more than 300 shows and recording two albums.  The second, Instruments of Mass Pleasure, was released in 2005 to critical acclaim.  Since his move to Los Angeles, Alex has been in heavy demand as a sideman and soloist, playing jazz, funk, pop, hip-hop and classical—all with a style of his own.

Most recently, Alex started up an exciting young big band with composer/trombonist Jeremy Levy. He can also be found playing in the big bands of Clare Fischer, Kim Richmond, Steve Huffsteter, Chris Walden, Ed Neumeister, Mike Barone and Tim Davies.

photo by David Carlson

Instruments of Mass Pleasure continues to make waves in the sea of big bands. I'm proud of everyone who worked on the album and grateful for their contributions. Released by OA2 Records, the album showcases original compositions, arrangements and a cohesiveness that comes from 10 years of playing together. Read reviews
The album is available for download on iTunes and eMusic.com.

Click the Buy Now button to securely purchase the album through PayPal. It will be sent right away. I'll pay the shipping.