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About Anton Schwartz

Anton Schwartz Bio
A printable version is also available.

Jazz saxophonist Anton Schwartz has been drawing listeners in with the power, spirit and subtle complexity of his music since he bounded onto the San Francisco jazz scene in 1995. At 27, Anton was answering the call of his long-standing passion for jazz, stepping away from the high-level research in Artificial Intelligence he'd carried out at Harvard and Stanford. Quite a career change. Once in action as a musician, Anton quickly gained an enthusiastic following as music fans responded to what the San Francisco Chronicle recently called his "warm, generous tone, impeccably developed solos and infectious performance energy."

In the years since, Anton has won over listeners and critics at high-profile jazz venues across the country, including the Blue Note in New York, Washington D.C.'s Blues Alley and the Monterey Jazz Festival. His appearances at Yoshi's in San Francisco and Oakland draw sellout crowds; one such concert was broadcast nationwide on NPR's JazzSet with Dee Dee Bridgewater in December, 2005. Each of his four CDs has earned sterling reviews and strong airplay, with his most recent Radiant Blue landing Top Five on the national jazz radio charts. While his own writing earns consistently high praise, Anton remains as much at home with the great jazz standards as he is with his own compositions.

"What I require for music to really captivate me," Anton says, "is groove and intellect working in tandem. Music that gets into your bones, into your head and into your heart. I want to create music that conveys something intriguing--through the rhythm, the structure, the interplay of melody and harmony--and distill that down into something clear and beautiful."

Anton was born in 1967 and raised in New York City. He began playing clarinet at twelve and switched to the saxophone at fourteen. He quickly became enchanted with jazz, and his early development got a jump start when he came under the tutelage of jazz masters Warne Marsh and Eddie Daniels. While in high school, Anton formed a group with future stars Peter Bernstein and Larry Goldings and got a taste of the big time, appearing in concert with both Lionel Hampton and Woody Herman.

In college, however, Anton pursued other passions. He earned a B.A. in Mathematics and Philosophy at Harvard, graduating magna cum laude in 1989. Next came Stanford, where, as a National Science Foundation fellow, Anton performed doctoral research in Artificial Intelligence. But all the while, Anton continued to play music. He held the prestigious first tenor sax chair in the Harvard Jazz Band, after Don Braden and before Joshua Redman. And inevitably, Anton's heart drew him to a full-time jazz career. In '95 he jumped feet first into the San Francisco jazz scene that has remained his home, even as he's traveled the country.

Praise for Anton's performances and recordings has been unceasing. Jazz Improv Magazine called Anton's 2004 Christmas CD, Holiday Time, "A superb album, bubbling with a combination of imaginative and sweet sounding playing--enjoyable year round." Of his 2000 release, The Slow Lane, Billboard Magazine wrote, "Schwartz savors the implications of each note, allowing the listener to delight in the endless melodies created by his stirring improvisations." Anton's first CD, When Music Calls (1998), inspired the San Francisco Bay Guardian to report, "Anton Schwartz has everything you want to hear in a modern jazz saxophonist--an appealing, consistent tone, an abundance of ideas fueling both his compositions and his improvisations, and superb taste in musical collaborators."

Perhaps famed saxophonist Illinois Jacquet put things most succinctly when he told Anton, "You play the tenor sax like it's meant to be played."

A well-rounded professional, Anton is also in great demand as a teacher. He's a faculty member of the Stanford Jazz Workshop and The Jazzschool, where he has designed courses ranging from "The Physics of Musical Sound" to "Improvising Eighth Note Lines." He is also a clinician at the Brubeck Institute, and has been Artist in Residence at Harvard University and the Brubeck Institute Summer Jazz Colony.

"It's especially gratifying to me to see so many people reacting so wholeheartedly to my music." Indeed, longtime aficionados and jazz newcomers alike rave about his performances. That ability to capture hearts and minds at all ends of the jazz spectrum has made Anton a force to be reckoned with in the world of modern jazz, now and for years to come.

MORE INFORMATION. A full digital media kit, including high-resolution photo images and review reprints, is available at www.antonjazz.com/pr.

A printable version of this bio is also available.

What They're Saying . . .

"You play the tenor sax like it's meant to be played!"
- Illinois Jacquet, Jazz Saxophonist

"You'd expect a brainiac like Schwartz to make brainy jazz, and indeed he does. What surprises are the upbeat vibe, stong melodies, and unflagging sense of swing that he brings to this music."
- Ed Kopp, JAZZIZ Magazine

"Anton is a real swinging, refreshing, young voice on the tenor and I'm really impressed with his compositions."
- Eddie Daniels, Down Beat Poll Winner, Clarinet

"Schwartz [has] clearly won the respect of his peers."
- Martin Johnson, New York Newsday

"Anton Schwartz has everything you want to hear in a modern jazz saxophonist--an appealing, consistent tone, an abundance of ideas fueling both his compositions and his improvisations, and superb taste in musical collaborators."
- Derk Richardson, SF Bay Guardian

"I-was-there-when moments are rare, which makes San Francisco sax man ANTON SCHWARTZ's upcoming show a must."
- Scott Adler, San Francisco Magazine

"Talk to other players on the scene and they'll give you the skinny on Schwartz: He's one of the brightest lights in the jazz community. The saxophonist is an immensely talented performer, one who blows with real heart and soul, and his understanding of jazz is superb. He's also simply one of the nicest guys I've ever met."
- Jim Harrington, Contra Costa Times

One of "jazz' hottest young talents."
- New York Daily News

"Anton Schwartz is a great saxophonist and composer with a beautiful sound and a keen imagination! I look forward to listening to him for many years to come!"
- Peter Bernstein, Jazz Guitarist

"Anton Schwartz's music exudes and explodes with vitality that respects the mind as it moves the heart... and he SWINGS!"
- Dr. Herb Wong, Jazz Journalist and Historian

"There's a buzz about the young tenor player, and it always mentions the drive behind his lines."
- Jim Macnie, The Village Voice

"Anton is one great player!"
- Mark Levine, Jazz Pianist, Educator and Author

"It's refreshing to hear a talented young player who not only demonstrates knowledge of the post-Coltrane era, but also so warmly embraces the earlier saxophone giants. You can hear it in his phrasing and in his sound."
- Bud Spangler, Jazz Musician and Producer

"Anton Schwartz has a swinging lyricism, and his compositions are often marked by humor and logic, making his music very enjoyable to the ear."
- Larry Goldings, Jazz Organist/Pianist

"A FABULOUS musician... really a SMOKIN' player! And boy, I hear his name everywhere."
- Alisa Clancy, KCSM-FM Jazz 91

"Anton Schwartz is a young man with a great deal of promise, both as a tenor saxophonist and a composer."
- Horace Silver, Legendary Jazz Composer/Pianist

""With his big sound and assured rhythmic phrasing, it's easy to hear why thirty-year-old tenor saxophonist Schwartz cites Ben Webster, Stanley Turrentine, and John Coltrane as primary influences."
- Andrew Gilbert, Express

"No need to fall back on all those degrees."
- David Wiegand, San Francisco Chronicle Datebook

"One of the most exciting young tenor saxophonists around."
- San Francisco Jazz Festival

"Schwartz is definitely one to keep an eye on; his straight-ahead style resonates with soul, sophistcation, and swing"
- Wayne Saroyan, Oakland Tribune

"... a bright new star in the jazz world"
- Stephen Watkins, Jazz USA

"The Monterey Jazz Fesival... saw some splendid performances by trumpeter Terrence Blanchard's sextet, the quartets of guitarist Russell Malone and saxophonist Anton Schwartz, and the trios of pianists Kenny Barron and Jeff Chimenti."
- Philip Elwood, San Francisco Examiner

[Full reviews and articles are available below.]

About Radiant Blue. . .

"Schwartz blows with a warm, fluid tone, and great economy... his decisions all sound right... This ensemble shines.... The music bins are full of bluesy jazz albums; this one brims with optimism and intelligence."
- Ed Kopp, JAZZIZ Magazine

"... Beautifully recorded in 24-bit stereo, this CD is warmly recommended."
- Ken Dryden, All Music Guide

"Much like Chris Potter, Anton Schwartz is a nice and unassuming guy to talk to, yet both turn into modern day tenor titans as soon as they put the mouthpiece between their lips... There's a lot to like here with sharp arrangements and crisp straight ahead playing that seems to hit all the right notes."
- Tad Hendrickson, JazzWeek Magazine

"... this is a first-class audiophile product."
- John Henry, Audiophile Audition

"Anton Schwartz and his sidemen are deadly serious about their fun... they are all adept at staying in the pocket while stretching it. As for Schwartz, he has a classic clear-throated tenor sound and kicks like a mule. His zeal to communicate is fervent yet sophisticated... Radiant Blue could make an excellent introduction to jazz for someone on the outside looking for a way in."
- Thomas Conrad, Jazz Times Magazine

"This is the kind of young jazz the majors keep saying they are looking for but not delivering"
- Chris Spector, Midwest Record Recap

Publisher's Pick.
"Schwartz sports a resounding tone on this studio set, spiced up with grit and a soul-jazz drenched élan... masterful group interaction... an irrefutably sparkling program. A top ten pick for 2006."
- Glenn Astarita, AllAboutJazz

"A tremendous jazz saxophonist... Anton Schwartz has been a local favorite for years. Let's hope that this is the album that pushes the Oakland-based saxophonist to where he belongs -- front and center on the national stage."
- Jim Harrington, Oakland Tribune

"The hard-swinging Oakland-based tenor saxophonist has a simmering sapphire-flame tone. Here he celebrates the release of his excellent new CD, "Radiant Blue," with a top-shelf quintet"
- Andrew Gilbert, San Jose Mercury News

"Schwartz cements his reputation as a player who deals in spontaneous melodic ideas, rendered with great clarity."
- Kirk Silsbee, Los Angeles City Beat

"The spirit and verve of a true independent musician... Schwartz imbues each of his songs with engaging melodies and some serious grooves."
- Primetime

"An incredible cd. I rarely hear these days something that hits on most, if not all, cuts. [Radiant Blue] does."
- Bill White, WWOZ-FM, New Orleans

"Dreamy interplay... vibrant jazz... relaxed and warm... a welcome addition."
- George Harris, All About Jazz: Los Angeles

"Bright original compositions... [a] lush and energetic recording."
- The American Jewish World

"This is an essential disc for any collection."
- Jean-Keith Fagon, Capital Community News

"This is grade 'A' 'all-killer-no-filler'... [the five musicians] are virtuosos, endowed with temperance, eschewing gratuity for the greater good of the music. Each has a signature timbre... guitarist Bernstein particularly manages to transcend archetypical jazz guitar stylings with aplomb... Schwartz' compositions are engaging and sophisticated... these are truly unique 'sum-of-the-parts-seat-of-the-pants' musicians of the highest order."
- Jan-Mikael Erakare, Abstract Logix

[Full reviews and articles are available below.]

About Holiday Time. . .

"Magnificent... a superb album, bubbling with a combination of imaginative and sweet sounding playing--enjoyable year round."
- Winthrop Bedford, Jazz Improv Magazine

"...warm, generous tone, impeccably developed solos and infectious performance energy."
- Jerry Karp, San Francisco Chronicle

"... warm-toned and poised"
- Frank-John Hadley, Down Beat

[EDITOR'S PICK]
"Though the album is short, the quartet covers the entire range of emotions you could hope for on a Christmas album while skimping, thankfully, on the cheese. Recommended."
- Tad Hendrickson, JazzWeek

"The common factor on all the songs is Schwartz's warm tenor playing, which is so articulate that one might swear he's singing through the sax."
- Jim Harrington, Oakland Tribune

"A must have... kicking on all four cylinders."
- S.H. Watkins, Sr., JazzUSA.com

"Holiday Time is an absolute gem of a CD. What a daunting challege to make holiday songs sound fresh and new. There are stretches of moody reflection, upbeat cookers, humor and wit, beautiful solo works, surprising turns, and through it all, a swinging drive. And it bears repeated playing - remarkable stuff!"
- Andrew Nozaka, Jazz Photographer

[CD PICK OF THE MONTH]
"Clever, inventive and refreshing, Holiday Time brightens spirits."
- Wayne Saroyan, JazzWest

"This mini-CD is a winner. Schwartz is a forthright tenor saxophonist with a rich, expansive tone... Both "The Christmas Song" and "Wee Small Hours of the Morning" are stop-you-in-your-tracks ballads."
- Zan Stewart, Newark Star Ledger

[Full reviews and articles are available below.]

About The Slow Lane. . .

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- Michael Nastos, All Music Guide

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- Paula Edelstein, JazzReview.com

"... The beauty of it resides within Schwartz' distinctly personalized faculties and understanding of where to go with a tune as a soloist and leader. Schwartz' seemingly uncanny abilities and sensibilities enable him to render even the quietest or calmest of tunes with a meticulous and often understated sense of urgency."
- Glenn Astarita, AllAboutJazz.com

"... Schwartz's playing is stunning... the disc is a celebration of experiencing life at one's own pace and taking risks on one's own terms. The tempos aren't slow; they're deliberate. Each note has logic and a purpose, making the resulting melodies strong and intelligent."
- John Doll, SonicNet

"Schwartz savors the implications of each note, allowing the listener to delight in the endless melodies created by his stirring improvisations... energetic lines that mark him as both a creative improviser and a master of economy."
- Steve Graybow, Billboard

"The cohesion of this ensemble aside, Schwartz's playing is the highlight. Saving his vibrato for just the right moments, he's strong in his expressiveness. His tone is remarkably consistent, making his command of the instrument come across as second nature. With so many tenor players out there still trying to tackle 'Giant Steps,' it's nice to listen to someone who sounds more like Trane doing 'Naima.'"
- Ed Enright, Down Beat

"There have been many young tenor saxophone players before Schwartz, but very few have his naturalness, his musical presence and command of the instrument."
- Donald Adderton, Biloxi Sun Herald

"Schwartz's originals have attractive melodies and the standards like 'Born To Be Blue' and 'Come Rain Or Come Shine' are ravishing vehicles for his sound.... This man is an excellent saxophonist."
- Jerome Wilson, Cadence

"Schwartz has too much moxie to end up in any slow lane. Here, he's definitely on the right path."
- Neil Tesser, JAZZIZ

"Luminous"
- David Wiegand, SF Chronicle

"With his newest release 'The Slow Lane', Anton Schwartz has once again shown himself to be one of the up-and-coming 'young lions' in the Jazz world. Good saxophone players can make their instrument talk to you. Anton goes a step farther... his music communicates with your soul."
- Ray Redmond, Jazz USA

"Long after all the smooth jazz "here todays" have faded, players like Schwartz will be making important music. He is one of the musicians representing the future of jazz. And the future sounds good to me."
- George Fendel, Our Town

"Anton Schwartz... has a smooth style that helps makes him one of jazz music's young lions to watch. His second album as a leader, The Slow Lane, showcases his fearless chops throughout a mix of originals and standards placed in a classic quartet setting."
- Tad Hendrickson, CMJ New Music Report

"His new CD, "The Slow Lane", reflects Schwartz's individuality in terms of concept and his vibrant musicality. He plays with a large sound: Sometimes it's biting, other times it glows with warmth."
- Curt Yeske, Princeton Times

"Schwartz plays with an appealing grace and sophistication that allows him to say very much with very little."
- Marc Greilsamer, Amazon.com

"Swinging and explorative"
- Scott Yanow, LA Times

"Gorgeous"
- Lee Hildebrand, Express

[Full reviews and articles are available below.]

About When Music Calls. . .

"Schwartz's compositions swing with graceful elegance, effervesce with spirited vigor and romance with soulful emotion... Indeed, the music has beckoned and Schwartz has answered the call, documenting on disc the first chapter of what promises to be a vital career."
- Dan Ouellette, Down Beat, Billboard, San Francisco Chronicle

"Thoughtful, adventurous jazz"
- Jason Koransky, Down Beat

"Give 'When Music Calls' just one listen and you'll know why the critics are raving about Anton Schwartz. Composer of 8 of the 10 tracks, Anton's music captivates with compelling arrangements - drawing the listener into his exploration of person and soul, telling tonal stories with masterful playing and elegance. Anton's tenor sax swings with confidence and exuberance on tracks like 'Rabbit Days' and 'Too Much Pepper', and strolls with perfect balance on 'Poketown' and 'Through the Years'. Superb music and musicianship abounds on this debut of a major talent. 'When Music Calls' is an album of vitality!"
- Music Boulevard

"...Intoxicating. His warm sound, smooth melodic lines, and refreshing compositions wake your ears right up"
- Jeff Bordes, BayJazz.Com

"Schwartz is cut from different weaves than other young men with their horns... Nothing on this outing is less than ear-grabbing. Schwartz's debut CD is impressive."
- Rapport Magazine

"A nice piece of [straight-ahead] but contemporary jazz that avoids the pretensions of the local hip-hop wannabes without succumbing to false nostalgia."
- San Francisco Examiner Magazine's "Bay City Best"

"I've been listening to [When Music Calls] for a good portion of the day on my portable CD player. I LOVE IT! What a wonderful session, with great tunes, arrangements, musicians and performances. Definitely my kind of listening pleasure."
- Lenny Mazel, Jazz Director, KCME FM, Colorado Springs

"The CD is just a wonderful experience! Your tone is just wonderful, the recording is wonderful, the band is wonderful! It's worth repeated listenings. A splendid debut!"
- Hal Stein, Jazz Saxophonist

"You'll have to look hard for chops-heavy blather on this disc; the maturity of approach here sounds like somebody on his third or fourth record, not his first."
- Larry Nai, Cadence Magazine

"I hear a ton of CDs from new young jazz musicians, and very few of them jump out at you. Yours jumps out."
- Paul McArthur, KSHU-FM

"... a world of delightment!"
- The Jazz Review

"Anton, Received your cd at the station last week... the minute I saw it I went into the production room to give a quick listen. Needless to say it was not quick, in fact I heard it all the way home which is 40 miles away. It is one of the finest that I have heard in a long time. I will certainly be playing this cd for a long time to come. Thanks very much and good luck to you and your group."
- Aaron Fensterheim, WXEL-FM

"Schwartz is a bright and swinging young tenor player who's got a round tone reminiscent of Stanley and a laid-back attack reminiscent of Dexter. On his self-produced CD, When Music Calls, he smoothly runs down some well-crafted classic-sounding originals." [featured pick]
- Mark D. Fefer, Seattle Weekly

"Anton's approach both instrumentally and as a composer/arranger is as solid as a rock! If his first two recordings tell us what to expect in the future, we had better start rearranging our CD collections for a large Anton Schwartz section for years to come."
- Mike Schwartz, KSJS 90.5FM

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- Alex Henderson, All-Music Guide

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- Intermission Magazine

"... Brilliant."
- Robert Bragonier, 52nd Street

"... pop the CD in the player and your foot starts tapping. He's got a sound that feels good, soothes the ear, and grooves your jazzy soul.... When Music Calls has everything on my list, everything I want to hear."
- Ryan P. Speiser, Music-Critic.com

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- George Fendel, Jazzscene