Dick Oatts
Encyclopedia
Richard "Dick" Oatts is a jazz
saxophonist from Jefferson, Iowa
. He became interested in saxophone
due to his father Jack Oatts. To this day he still plays on the same Selmer Mark VI
alto saxophone
his father gave to him. He began his professional career in Minneapolis in 1972 and in 1977 he joined the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Big Band
. He began releasing his own CDs in the 1990s and has been a faculty member at the Manhattan School of Music
since 1989 and recently joined the faculty at Temple University
in Philadelphia in 2006.
Oatts' work on reeds (soprano, alto & tenor saxophones, clarinet) became visible and accessible while he fronted the crossover jazz group, Flim & the BB's
in the 1980s and 90s. In tandem with bassist, Jimmy (aka "Flim") Johnson
, drummer Bill Berg
, and keyboardist Billy Barber
, Oatts rounded out the contemporary jazz foursome to release several popular albums (Flim & the BBs Vintage BB's Digital Music Products, Inc., 1991).
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
saxophonist from Jefferson, Iowa
Jefferson, Iowa
Jefferson is a city in Greene County, Iowa, United States, along the North Raccoon River. The population was 4,626 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Greene County. It is the home of the Mahanay Memorial Bell Tower, tall, located on the town square, and visible for miles. The tower is...
. He became interested in saxophone
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
due to his father Jack Oatts. To this day he still plays on the same Selmer Mark VI
Selmer Mark VI
The Selmer Mark VI is a professional model saxophone that is generally considered the Selmer Company's finest saxophone. Although tastes in saxophones differ the Mk VI design is universally regarded as one of the best saxophone models ever produced by any manufacturer...
alto saxophone
Alto saxophone
The alto saxophone is a member of the saxophone family of woodwind instruments invented by Belgian instrument designer Adolphe Sax in 1841. It is smaller than the tenor but larger than the soprano, and is the type most used in classical compositions...
his father gave to him. He began his professional career in Minneapolis in 1972 and in 1977 he joined the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Big Band
Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Big Band
The Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra was a jazz big band formed by trumpeter Thad Jones and drummer Mel Lewis around 1965. The band performed for twelve years in its original incarnation, and included a 1972 tour of the Soviet Union during the height of the Cold War. The band won a 1978...
. He began releasing his own CDs in the 1990s and has been a faculty member at the Manhattan School of Music
Manhattan School of Music
The Manhattan School of Music is a major music conservatory located on the Upper West Side of New York City. The school offers degrees on the bachelors, masters, and doctoral levels in the areas of classical and jazz performance and composition...
since 1989 and recently joined the faculty at Temple University
Temple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
in Philadelphia in 2006.
Discography
- All Of Three (11/1997)
- Standard Issue Vol.1 (06/01/1998)
- Simone's Dance (01/01/2000)
- Standard Issue Vol.2 (06/19/2000)
- South Paw (12/03/2001)
- Gratitude (10/07/2008)
- Two Hearts (06/15/2009)
Oatts' work on reeds (soprano, alto & tenor saxophones, clarinet) became visible and accessible while he fronted the crossover jazz group, Flim & the BB's
Flim & the BB's
"Flim & The BB's" was a contemporary jazz band that became popular not only to jazz fans but also "tech-heads" because of the methods and type of equipment and technology that went into their recordings...
in the 1980s and 90s. In tandem with bassist, Jimmy (aka "Flim") Johnson
Jimmy Johnson (bassist)
Jimmy Johnson is an American bass guitarist best known for his work with James Taylor, Allan Holdsworth, Lee Ritenour and Flim & the BB's...
, drummer Bill Berg
Bill Berg (musician)
Bill Berg is a noted drummer in jazz and fusion music, best known for his work with the group Flim & the BB's, as well as guitarist Wayne Johnson. He also served as the drummer for fellow Hibbing, Minnesota native Bob Dylan's notable record Blood on the Tracks.Berg has also recorded and worked...
, and keyboardist Billy Barber
Billy Barber (musician)
Billy Barber is a keyboardist and composer. He is the son of pianist and William C. Barber, also known as Bill Barber Sr.He is most noted for the theme song for All My Children in the 1990s as well as keyboardist for the jazz group Flim & the BB's with Jimmy Johnson and Bill Berg...
, Oatts rounded out the contemporary jazz foursome to release several popular albums (Flim & the BBs Vintage BB's Digital Music Products, Inc., 1991).
- Flim & The BB's Tricycle (1982) *Tunnel (1984), *Big Notes (1985), *Neon (1987), *The Further Adventures... (1988), *New Pants (1989), *Vintage/best of (1992), This Is A Recording (1992)