Home » Jazz Articles » Rising Stars » Introducing Baritone Saxophonist Evan Gongora
Introducing Baritone Saxophonist Evan Gongora
It's obvious to me that Evan has a special gift that will take him as far as he wants to go in the music business.
Dion Tucker
Growing up in East Hanover, NJ, Gongora became serious about jazz at age 14, performing as a member of the Hanover Park High School jazz band and taking private lessons from saxophonists
Chris Bittner
saxophoneAndrew Gould
saxophoneGary Smulyan
saxophone, baritoneb.1956
Pepper Adams
saxophone, baritone1930 - 1986
Gould was impressed with Gongora's "dedication. I had an awesome time working with him in our lessons together! We got into all sorts of fun musical topics, and he really scooped up every idea we spoke about. Most of all, he had a great attitude and driven work ethic. The sky is the limit!" Joseph Spina, Coordinator of Music/Director of Bands at Hanover Park High School, described Gongora as "an incredibly talented and hardworking musician. For many years, since he was in middle school, I've known Evan to be very driven and focused on his musical and academic growth. I've very excited to see where his performance endeavors take him in the near and distant future."
During his junior year of high school, Gongora auditioned for the New Jersey Youth Symphony Jazz Orchestra, one of the programs of Berkeley Heights, NJ-based Wharton Arts. There, he studied with trombonist
Dion Tucker
tromboneLance Bryant
saxophone, tenorb.1961
Dave Schumacher
saxophone, baritoneTucker described Gongora as "a natural leader in all of his ensembles. He leads by example, which, in my opinion, is the only way to lead. I love Evan's attention to the details in the music. He's constantly looking for subtle nuances that make the music and his playing special. It's obvious to me that Evan has a special gift that will take him as far as he wants to go in the music business."
Recalling the rehearsal Gongora did with his big band, Bryant said, "From hearing him playing with the NJYS band, I could tell how serious he was and how much time he spends learning the music on his own. When a young musician plays in a musical language and feel that is consistent with the jazz tradition, you know he has put in the time and work at home. An experienced musician can hear it right away. These are things that can't be acquired in a classroom."
In the fall, Gongora will be attending William Paterson University as a Jazz Performance major. "Dr. Demsey (WPU Coordinator of Jazz Studies, " data-original-title title>David Demsey) was so welcoming to me," he said, "and I have a chance to study with saxophonists such as
Dayna Stephens
saxophone, tenorRich Perry
saxophone, tenorVincent Herring
saxophoneb.1964
Gongora is grateful to all of his teachers "Without them, I wouldn't be where I am. Chris Bittner was the first to tell me to transcribe. He taught me the blues and helped me with the basics, using all of my skills and all 12 keys. Andrew Gould helped a lot with my tone development. With Gary Smulyan, we do a lot of experimenting. A lot of times, he asks me what I want to know. He gives me a lot of harmony, diminished patterns. He's taught me a lot about that. He encourages me to listen to transcriptions and to learn tunes."
Comments
Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.About Evan Gongora
Instrument: Saxophone, baritone
Related Articles | Concerts | Albums | Photos | Similar ToTags
Rising Stars
Evan Gongora
Sanford Josephson
United States
New Jersey
Chris Bittner
Andrew Gould
Gary Smulyan
Pepper Adams
Dion TUCKER
Lance Bryant
Dave Schumacher
David Demsey
Dayna Stephens
Rich Perry
Vincent Herring