By Timothy Rutt
Saxman and Altadena resident Dale Fielder is performing this week in a series of tribute concerts to Pepper Adams.
Adams, who died in 1986, is one of jazz's most prominent baritone saxiphonists, and Fielder is one of the leading exponents of his style. This week, Fielder has been performing around the Los Angeles area as part of the First International Pepper Adams Jazz Festival.
Fielder also released his 14th album this week, Each Time I Think of You by the Dale Fielder Tribute Quintet.
Fielder has two appearances this weekend. Tonight he will play with his Tribute Quintet at Soka University in a performance MC'd by Gary Carner, Adam's biographer who will also sign copies of his new book, Pepper Adams Joy Road. On Saturday, he will play at Vibrato Grill Jazz in Los Angeles.
Fielder, who plays all four saxophones, is also a composer and bandleader, known for his original compositions and choice of performing rare, obscure jazz classics. Fielder, who comes from the University of Pittsburgh Jazz Studies Program, has also studied compostion with Frank Gordon and saxophone with Sonny Stitt and Charles McPherson.
The Raymond Avenue resident emails: "My wife Patricia and I have been residents of Altadena since Feb 2009. WE LOVE IT. In fact before we moved into our house, my wife asked me how sure I was. She asked if I could still see myself living here in 5 years. My answer was: 5 years? You can bury me in my back yard! I'm done!"
Find out more at www.dalefielder.com. You can find out more about Pepper Adams at www.pepperadams.com
Check out Fielder at the Jazz Bakery after the jump.
