Bio
Denis DiBlasio.
After receiving his Masters Degree from the University of Miami, Denis
DiBlasio joined the big band of legendary trumpeter Maynard Ferguson,
serving as Maynard 's Musical Director for five years. During this time
he honed his virtuosity on the baritone saxophone and flute as well as a
prodigious scat-vocal technique, and developed estimable composing/
arranging skills. His scores have been published by Kendor, William
Allen, Kjos, Doug Beach and Hal Leonard, and his several books on jazz
improvisation and scat-singing are available through Kendor, Houston and
Jamey Aebersold Publications. He is currently Director of the Jazz
Department and conducts the Jazz Lab Band at Rowan University in
Glassboro, New Jersey.
As a clinician for the Yamaha Musical Corporation, DiBlaslo has taught
and performed all over The United States; his "education as
entertainment" style has also taken him to Thailand, Italy,
Luxemburg, Prague, Canada, Mexico, Spain,
France, Switzerland, Denmark and Japan. His unique combination of
positive motivation and witty sense of humor ensures an atmosphere where
"making music is fun" and students are encouraged by his fearless
risk-taking attitude that communicates the message: "Mistakes are valid
—if you learn something from the attempt." This approach keeps Denis
extremely busy, in constant demand and is often booked up over a year in
advance.
The Denis DiBlasio Quartet, usually featuring Jim Ridl (piano), Darryl
Hall (1995 Thelonious Monk International Bass Competition first-place
winner) and Jim.Miller (drums) appears extensively in club, concert
workshop and festival settings. Of their first two CDs, The Philadelphia
Inquirer noted "DiBlasio unravels skeins of bebop that emerge from his
big horn in a furious blur... DiBlasio huffs and puffs and blows the
house down on "Catch Me" (LAS-11193), and Cadence observed that on Seven
Giant Steps to Heaven (LAS-38932) "DiBlasio seems able to do whatever he
pleases on the horn; musically, he has an excellent sense of rhythm,
pacing and dynamics, and is able to swing with abandon at a variety of
tempos on either baritone saxophone or flute..."
The sheer joy of spontaneity, intensity, and depth of expression all
come together in the jazz artistry of Denis DiBlasio.
Discography as Leader
| Year | Album | Label | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | One on One | Mark Recording | |
| 1990 | Stormy Weather | Curtis Records | |
| 1991 | Playing in the Yard | Morning Star | |
| 1993 | Catch Me | Liscio Recordings | |
| 1994 | Seven Giant Steps to Heaven | Liscio Recordings | |
| 1996 | Reflections of Childhood | Dreambox | |
| 1998 | Rhino | Dreambox | |
| 1999 | Perpetual Baggage Claim | Dreambox | |
| 2000 | Salt Peanuts | Sons of Sound | |
| 2006 | View From Pikes | Dreambox |
|
| 2009 | Where the Jade Buddah Lives | Art of Life Records | |
| 2009 | Denis DiBlasio/Brian Betz | Dreambox | |
| 2010 | Denis DiBlasio/Jim McFalls Caravan the Chordless Project | Dreambox |
With Maynard
| Year | Album | Label | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Storm | TBA Records | ||
| 1986 | Body and Soul | Blackhawk | ||
| 1987 | High Voltage | Intima | ||
| 1994 | Live from San Francisco | Avenue Jazz | ||
| 1998 | Brass Attitude | Concord | ||
| 2001 | Swingin' for Schurr | Concord | ||
| 2006 | MF Horn VI | MF Music USA | ||
| 2008 | The One and Only | MF Music |
With others
| Year | Album | Label | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | When It Rains | Mark | ||
| 1995 | With a Little Help from My Friends | Dreambox | ||
| 1997 | Lemon Drop | DBK | ||
| 1997 | Jazz Player | Dorn | ||
| 1997 | "LIVE" Tribute to Buddy Rich | Dreambox | ||
| 2001 | Up and Running | Brian Betz | ||
| 2003 | Miller Time | Dreambox | ||
| 2003 | Without a Doubt | Dreambox | ||
| 2004 | Collaboration | Dreambox | ||
| 2005 | Vandoren Centennial | Vandoren | ||
| 2006 | Places (Mark Knox) | Dreambox |