Take Five with Andrew Vogt

Have you ever wondered what your favorite musicians are listening to, or the recordings that influenced them? “Take Five” is a look at the music that inspires and excites them. It’s difficult to choose ONLY five recordings!

Andrew Vogt started playing saxophone in elementary school in Lincoln, Nebraska. Since then, he has added clarinet and flute to his arsenal and has performed professionally at well over 5,000 events. He earned a degree in music from the University of Nebraska and is now a freelance musician and private school band director in Fort Collins, Colorado. He teaches Band at Saint Joseph Catholic School in Fort Collins as well as at Saint John the Evangelist Catholic School and Immanuel Lutheran School in Loveland.

After leaving Nebraska in the late 1990’s Andrew spent three years sailing the seas on cruise ships performing every night for hundreds of guests.  At the turn of the new millennium, he moved his horns and himself to the beautiful land of Colorado. He specializes in high energy, exciting jazz but also performs in a variety of different musical groups. Twirling Zucchinis, Andrew Vogt Jazz Quartet and the Andrew Vogt Swing Trio are the three main bands Andrew leads.  Twirling Zucchinis is a particularly unique band that includes a mashup of musical styles from around the world that blends jazz with Irish Jig, Polka, Tango, and Klezmer.  Andrew appears on over 30 albums and recordings.  His new CD “Optimistic Infinity House “will be released this summer.

Charles Mingus   “Let My Children Hear Music”
This Mingus album has been inspiring me for so many years. If I need a jolt of inspiration this album does the trick.  I love the array of great soloists and wide range of harmonic and melodic colors featured throughout this large ensemble recording.  There is so much variety on this album and the arrangements are terrific.  This record is a real journey where we hear a lion roaring, a Bach piece that flows so well into a totally different melody by Mingus, and even eerie poetry!

Gerry Mulligan Sextet “Presenting the Gerry Mulligan Sextet”
I love how the four horns work together on this album.  Gerry can lead this piano-less sextet to play so well together, organized but with a lot of freedom.  He adds his baritone sax to Zoot Sim’s tenor along with trumpet, trombone, bass, and drums to create, at times, rich textures and, at other times, sparseness. And it can change on a dime!

The simultaneous improvising by the four horns reminds me of a more modern take on traditional jazz.

Eric Kloss “Celebration”

This album by alto saxophonist Eric Kloss is a tight high-energy ride from the first second.  It features challenging and extremely fast compositions by Eric and keyboardist Barry Miles. There is also a duet between the alto sax and keyboard where Eric bends notes in such a creative and unusual way.  I fall out of my seat listening to this intense recording and some of the fast-moving compositions are almost ridiculous.

Stan Getz   “Voyage”

There are so many great Stan Getz albums, but I particularly love this one.  It features two great tunes by one of my favorite pianists, Kenny Barron, as well as a terrific tune by drummer Victor Lewis. Each track is so great that I can’t pick a favorite.  I will point out the Kenny Barron tune “Dreams” which features great solos that build in intensity.

Every moment of the album is pure gold to me.

Dexter Gordon “Nights at The Keystone Vol. 3″
This album has four tracks and three of them are ballads.  What a wonderful rhythm section this was for Dexter’s tenor sax during this time in the late 1970’s with George Cables, Rufus Reid and Eddie Gladden responding so well to what Dexter was playing. This band had such a wide range that they could reach giant climaxes as well as quiet whispering moments.   At one point Dexter whimpers into his tenor sax.

The unaccompanied cadenzas that Dexter and George each create are so deliberate and measured and are a joy to listen to.

Website:  www.drewsblues.com

Discography

As a Leader:
Action Plan
Cats Afoot
Twirling Zucchini Trio
Andrew Vogt and his Twirling Zucchinis – Distracted by Donuts
Optimistic Infinity House (Summer 2024 release)

With Others:
Adam Bodine Opus Reminiscence
Adam Bodine -Nurtured by Nature
Adam Bodine  -Scenes of Changery
Paul Mullikin Quintet -Time is Now
Jason Hollar Jazz Quartet
Mandy Harvey – Smile
Mandy Harvey – All of Me
The Poudre River Irregulars- 20 Years and Still Swingin’
Mary Buirgy -Beautiful Love
Mark Sloniker and Colleen Crosson – Miracles…and other works of heart
Dave and the Gin Mill Gypsies – Dave Wiatrolik
Revelation -Citizen’s Band

Stay connected to KUVO’s programs and our community! Sign up for the Oasis E-News today!