Name: Bruce Breitweiser
Main Instrument: Tenor Saxophone
Musical Education: 45 years of lessons, playing and daily practice – mostly at the school of What's Happening Now. Basement studio playing studies w/ Dexter Gordon, Bill Evans, Yusef Lateef, and theory with anything by David Baker, Jamey Abersold resources or Jerry Coker
Favorite Jazz Artist or Group: Bill Evans and Bloomington 's own John Campbell (at Maybeck). New addition – Scott Wendholt.
What do you like best about the Heartland Jazz Orchestra? The saxophone section at rehearsals is like a sight-reading workshop on steroids. A lot of energy and real high-level experienced musicians. Shab is an inspiration as a leader, teacher, mentor and musician.
Other groups you play in or have played with?
Too many to mention! My own trio, the Union league Club of Chicago Jazz Union band, and a some really fun years with Jazz Chocolat'
Other interest or hobbies?
Work, work, work. Listen, listen, listen, mostly to music. Getting into some solo transcriptions and composition. Cooking (food, as well as music), recording, reading and relaxation.
Favorite quotes?
“Anyone can play weird. That's easy. What's hard is to
be as simple as Bach. Making the simple complicated
is commonplace. Making the complicated simple
-awesomely simple - that's creativity” ( Charles Mingus)
“The spaces between your lines is what makes your lines stand out” (Joe Lovano)