Jimmy Greene
{{Short description|American jazz saxophonist}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2015}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Jimmy Greene
| image = Jimmy Greene.jpg
| caption = Greene in 2014
| image_size =
| birth_name = James Sidney Greene, Jr.
| alias =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1975|2|24|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Hartford, Connecticut
| origin = Sandy Hook, Connecticut
| instrument = Saxophone
| genre = Jazz, gospel, post-bop, neo-bop
| years_active = 1997–present
| label = RCA, Criss Cross, Sunnyside, SteepleChase, Mack Avenue
| associated_acts =
| website = {{URL|jimmygreene.com}}
}}
James Sidney Greene, Jr. (born February 24, 1975) is an American jazz saxophonist, gospel musician, recording artist, record producer, and music professor. He started his music career in 1997, and has since released eight studio albums. His eighth studio album, Beautiful Life, was his breakthrough release upon the Billboard magazine charts. It also received his first Grammy Award nominations.
Early life
The son of James Sr., a saxophonist, and Renee Simmons, Greene was born on February 24, 1975, in Hartford, Connecticut.{{cite web|author=Staff |title=Greene, Jimmy (James Sidney Greene, Jr.) |url=http://www.jazz.com/encyclopedia/greene-jimmy-james-sidney-greene-jr |publisher=Jazz.com |access-date=January 5, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906052359/http://www.jazz.com/encyclopedia/greene-jimmy-james-sidney-greene-jr |archive-date=September 6, 2015 }}{{cite journal|first=Owen|last=McNally|title=Saxophonist Jimmy Greene To Teach At WestConn |url=https://www.courant.com/2012/05/15/saxophonist-jimmy-greene-to-teach-at-westconn/ |journal=Hartford Courant |access-date=January 5, 2016 |date=May 15, 2012 }}{{cite web|first=Stacia|last=Proefrock|title=Jimmy Greene : Biography|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/jimmy-greene-mn0000360200/biography |publisher=AllMusic|access-date=January 5, 2016}} He has three siblings; two sisters, Nayre and Amanda, and a brother, Dorian. The first instrument purchased for him was an alto saxophone, when he was just six years old, where by the age of eight he was getting tutored in how to play the instrument, while by middle school jazz became his obsession. He graduated with honors from Bloomfield High School, in 1993, where he went on to graduate from The Hartt School in 1997, summa cum laude, when he commenced his professional recording career.
Music career
His music recording career started in 1997. The first studio album, Brand New World, was released by RCA Victor, on January 11, 2000.{{cite web|first=Michael G.|last=Nastros|title=Brand New World – Jimmy Greene : Review |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/brand-new-world-mw0000258209 |publisher=AllMusic|access-date=January 5, 2016}} His second studio album, Introducing Jimmy Greene, was released by Criss Cross Records, on February 8, 2000.{{cite web|title=Introducing Jimmy Greene – Jimmy Greene |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/introducing-jimmy-greene-mw0000053503 |publisher=AllMusic|access-date=January 5, 2016}} The third studio album, Forever, was released on February 17, 2004, by Criss Cross Records.{{cite web|first=Al |last=Campbell |title=Forever – Jimmy Greene : Review |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/forever-mw0000326865 |publisher=AllMusic|access-date=January 5, 2016}} He released, True Life Stories, with Criss Cross Records, on May 16, 2006.{{cite web|first=Stewart |last=Mason |title=True Life Stories – Jimmy Greene : Review |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/true-life-stories-mw0000421199 |publisher=AllMusic|access-date=January 5, 2016}} His fifth studio album, Gifts and Givers, was released on September 18, 2007, from Criss Cross Records.{{cite web|first=Michael G. |last=Nastros |title=Gifts and Givers – Jimmy Greene : Review |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/gifts-and-givers-mw0000496773 |publisher=AllMusic|access-date=January 5, 2016}} The sixth studio album, The Overcomer's Suite, was released by Nu Jazz Records, on July 22, 2008.{{cite web|first=Ken |last=Dryden |title=The Overcomer's Suite – Jimmy Greene : Review |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-overcomers-suite-mw0001227224 |publisher=AllMusic|access-date=January 5, 2016}} He released, Mission Statement, the seventh studio album, on April 7, 2009, with Sunnyside Records.{{cite web|first=Ken |last=Dryden |title=Mission Statement – Jimmy Greene : Review |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/mission-statement-mw0000812528 |publisher=AllMusic|access-date=January 5, 2016}} His eighth studio album, Beautiful Life, was released on November 25, 2014, from Mack Avenue Records.{{cite web|first=Matt |last=Collar |title=Beautiful Life – Jimmy Greene : Review |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/beautiful-life-mw0002757119 |publisher=AllMusic|access-date=January 5, 2016}} This album was his breakthrough released upon the Billboard magazine charts, where it placed on the Christian Albums, Gospel Albums, Jazz Albums and Heatseekers Albums, while it peaked at No. 36 on the Christian Albums chart,{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/1493259/jimmy-greene/chart?f=310 |title=Jimmy Greene Album & Song Chart History (Christian Albums)|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media |access-date=January 5, 2016}} at No. 6 on the Gospel Albums chart,{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/1493259/jimmy-greene/chart?f=323 |title=Jimmy Greene Album & Song Chart History (Gospel Albums)|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media |access-date=January 5, 2016}} at No. 5 on the Jazz Albums chart,{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/1493259/jimmy-greene/chart?f=901 |title=Jimmy Greene Album & Song Chart History (Jazz Albums)|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media |access-date=January 5, 2016}} and No. 6 on the Heatseekers Albums chart.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/1493259/jimmy-greene/chart?f=324 |title=Jimmy Greene Album & Song Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media |access-date=January 5, 2016}} This album garnered him a Grammy Award-nomination at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards, for Best Jazz Instrumental Album.{{cite web|first=Michael |last=Hamad |title=Jimmy Greene's 'Beautiful Life' Nominated For Two Grammys |url=http://www.ctnow.com/music/ctnow-jimmy-greenes-beautiful-life-nominated-for-grammy-20151207-story.html |publisher=CTNow |access-date=January 6, 2016 |date=December 7, 2015}}{{cite journal|first=Alan |last=Small |title=Jazz musician Jimmy Greene has mixed emotions about Grammy nods |url=http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/music/Jazz-musician-Jimmy-Greene-has-mixed-emotions-about-Grammy-nods-361663921.html |journal=Winnipeg Free Press |access-date=January 6, 2016 |date=December 12, 2015}}{{cite web|author=Staff |title=Jimmy Greene, former U of M music professor, nominated for 2 Grammy awards |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/jimmy-greene-former-u-of-m-music-professor-nominated-for-2-grammy-awards-1.3354596 |publisher=CBC News |access-date=January 6, 2016 |date=December 7, 2015}} Himself alongside performer, Javier Colon, for their performance of the song, " When I Come Home", were nominated for Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals at the 58th Grammy Awards, while Greene is the only arranger credited on the album.
Personal life
Greene is a music professor at Western Connecticut State University, and he resides in nearby Sandy Hook, Connecticut; he also taught at the University of Manitoba for a three-year stretch.{{cite journal |first=Nate |last=Chinen |title=Jimmy Greene's 'Beautiful Life' Is a Eulogy to a Daughter |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/27/arts/music/jimmy-greenes-beautiful-life-is-a-eulogy-to-a-daughter.html?_r=0 |journal=The New York Times |access-date=January 5, 2016 |date=November 26, 2014}} He is married to flautist Nelba Márquez. His daughter, Ana Grace Márquez-Greene, was six years old when she was murdered in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, and the album Beautiful Life was made in tribute and dedication to his daughter.{{cite journal |first=Martin |last=Chilton |title=Jimmy Greene's remarkable jazz tribute to his daughter |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/worldfolkandjazz/11257209/Jimmy-Greenes-remarkable-jazz-tribute-to-his-daughter.html |journal=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=January 5, 2016 |date=November 27, 2014}} He is part of the music ministry at his local church, Glory Chapel International Cathedral.
Discography
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of selected studio albums, with selected chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;" | Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;" | Album details{{Cite web |title=Jimmy Greene: Saxophonist, Composer, Recording Artist, Educator |url=http://www.jimmygreene.com/music.html#top |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=Jimmy Greene: Saxophonist, Composer, Recording Artist, Educator}} ! scope="col" colspan="4" | Peak chart positions |
| style="width:3em; font-size:70%"|US Chr !style="width:3em; font-size:70%"|US !style="width:3em; font-size:70%"|US !style="width:3em; font-size:70%"|US |
|---|
| scope="row"|Beautiful Life
|
| 36 | 6 | 5 | 6 |
| Flowers - Beautiful Life, Vol. 2
|
| | | | |
| While Looking Up
|
| | | | |
With Mario Pavone
- Ancestors (Playscape, 2008)
With Avishai Cohen
- As Is...Live at the Blue Note{{cite web|author= |url=http://avishaicohen.com/album/as-is-live-at-the-blue-note/ |title=As Is… ‹ Avishai Cohen |website=AvishaiCohen.com |date= April 26, 2013|access-date=2016-03-12}}
With Ben Riley
- Memories of T (Concord Jazz, 2006)
Grammy Award nominations
58th Annual Grammy Awards (2014–2015)
- Best Arrangement, Instruments And Vocals: "When I Come Home" – Jimmy Greene, arranger (Jimmy Greene with Javier Colon)
- Best Jazz Instrumental Album: Beautiful Life – Jimmy Greene {{Cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/jimmy-greene/19046|title=Jimmy Greene|date=November 23, 2020}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Commons category|Jimmy Greene}}
- {{Official website|jimmygreene.com}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Greene, Jimmy}}
Category:African-American jazz musicians
Category:American jazz alto saxophonists
Category:American male saxophonists
Category:Musicians from Hartford, Connecticut
Category:Songwriters from Connecticut
Category:African-American Christians
Category:University of Hartford Hartt School alumni
Category:Western Connecticut State University faculty
Category:Academic staff of the University of Manitoba
Category:20th-century American saxophonists
Category:21st-century American saxophonists
Category:Songwriters from New York (state)
Category:People from Sandy Hook, Connecticut
Category:Criss Cross Jazz artists
Category:SteepleChase Records artists
Category:American male jazz musicians
Category:The New Jazz Composers Octet members
Category:Mack Avenue Records artists
Category:20th-century American male musicians
Category:21st-century American male musicians