Mindi Abair(/ˈeɪbɛər/AY-bair;[1]born May 23, 1969) is an American saxophonist, vocalist, author, and National Trustee for theNational Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences,the organization that puts on theGrammy Awardsshow.
Mindi Abair | |
|---|---|
 Abair performing inSt. Helena, Californiain August 2021. | |
| Background information | |
| Born | May 23, 1969 St. Petersburg, Florida,U.S. |
| Genres | Rock,soul,pop,Contemporary jazz,smooth jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer, radio host, band leader, author, public speaker |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, saxophone, keyboards |
| Years active | 1991–present |
| Labels | Heads Up,Concord Music Group,Verve |
| Website | mindiabair |
Her solo career has produced ten No. 1 radio singles, two No. 1 Billboard Jazz CDs, and four more solo CDs that have landed No. 5 and above on theBillboardContemporary Jazz Charts. She was the featured saxophonist for the 2011 and 2012 seasons ofAmerican Idol,and performed with the rock bandAerosmith.[2]Abair's recordings have twice been nominated forGrammy Awards.[3]
Early life
editShe acted asdrum majorof her high schoolmarching bandin her junior and senior years at Northside Christian School in St. Petersburg. As a senior in high school, she won the first chair alto saxophone for theFlorida All-State Jazz Band.Abair spent her first year of college on a full scholarship at theUniversity of North Florida,a jazz program started byRich Matteson.She transferred toBerklee College of MusicinBoston,Massachusetts,attending on a scholarship and studying saxophone with Joe Viola andGeorge Garzone.Abair graduatedmagna cum laudein 1991 with a degree in Woodwind Performance. She formed her first band in college.[4]
Career
editPerformances and releases
editIn 1991, after college, Abair moved toLos Angeles,California,where she began booking her band into clubs, coffee shops and hotels. She played solo on the street at 3rd Street Promenade inSanta Monica, Californiaand garnered the attention of jazz keyboardistBobby Lyle,who hired her to record on hisPower of TouchCD and tour with him. Her touring opportunities expanded over the next decade, as she toured as a saxophonist/singer and keyboardist withAdam Sandler,John Tesh,Jonathan Butler,Teena Marie,Rick Braunas well. Abair was featured on saxophone in theGo Westvideo "Tell Me". In 1996, she appeared on Adam Sandler'sHBO Specialand recorded on his platinum CDWhat's Your Name?playing the saxophone solo on "The Lonesome Kicker" and singing on various tracks.
In 1999, Abair joined theBackstreet Boysfor their Millennium World Tour, and spent the next year and a half as their saxophonist, keyboardist and percussionist. She assembledMandy Moore's first band and acted as musical director, keyboardist, background singer and percussionist for many of Moore's first television appearances and shows.
When not touring, Abair released her first complete solo album,Always and Never the Same,an all-vocalpoprecord, independently.[5]Abair performed in local Los Angeles rock clubs to promote the record, in addition to her touring with the Backstreet Boys.
In 2003, Abair signed toVerve Recordsand released the albumIt Just Happens That Way,which peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart.[6]2004's "I Can't Wait for Christmas," the title track to her Christmas album of the same name, became a regional hit, particularly inBuffalo, New York,where both incarnations ofWTSShave included the record among theirChristmas musicplaylists.[7]
In 2004, Abair releasedCome As You Are,which peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz charts.[8]She followed that withLife Less Ordinaryin 2006, which peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart[9]and remained in the top 20 for 45 weeks. Her songs "True Blue" and "Bloom" hit No. 1 on R&R.
Abair signed toConcord Recordsin 2007 and released her genre breakingStarsin 2008 which peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart.[10]Her single "Stars" (co-written and produced byMatthew Hager) charted at No. 29 Adult Contemporary R&R simultaneously with her single "Smile" which reached No. 1 on the R&R jazz airplay charts. She released "Hi-Fi Stereo" in 2010[11]which peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart.[10]The album spawned the No. 1 hit "Be Beautiful" written byDavid Ryan Harris.[10]
The albumSummer Horns,a collaboration withDave Koz,Gerald Albright,andRichard Elliot,was nominated for Best Pop Instrumental Album at the 2013 Grammy Awards.[3]
On May 27, 2014, Abair released[12]Wild HeartonConcord Recordsimprint,Heads Up International.The record debuted at No. 1 on theBillboardJazz chart and No. 152 on the Billboard Top 200.[13]The record, which included collaborations with the lateGregg Allman,Joe PerryandTrombone Shorty,was nominated for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album in the 2015 Grammy Awards.[3]
Abair received the Mad Skills Award at the third annual She Rocks atNAMM Showon January 24, 2015.[14]Held inAnaheim, California,the event was founded by theWomen's International Music Network.[14]
In 2015, after working withRandy Jacobs(founder ofThe Boneshakers) on the tour forWild Heart,he and Abair decided to form Mindi Abair andThe Boneshakers,which includes Mindi Abair (saxophone, vocals),Randy Jacobs(guitar, vocals),Sweet Pea Atkinson(vocals), Rodney Lee (keyboards), Derek Frank (bass, vocals), and Third Richardson (drums, vocals).[15]In late 2015, they released a live albumMindi Abair and The Boneshakers Live in SeattleviaPledge MusicandHeadsUp,which featured a performance from Seattle's Dimitriou's Jazz Alley in February 2015. In summer 2017, the group announced their first studio project via Randy Jacobs' website.[16]Recorded over five days atEastWest Studioswith producerKevin Shirley,The EastWest Sessions,included 11 blues and rock tracks, was released on September 15, 2017.[17]Joe BonamassaandFantastic Negritowere featured guests.[18]The album debuted at No. 3 on theBillboardBlues Albums Chart on the week of October 7, 2017.[19]
"Pretty Good for a Girl," a tongue-in-cheek track co-written by Abair and Jacobs for the album, inspired Abair to launch the web platform PrettyGoodForAGirl.net. The goal of the website is to celebrate exceptional women and turn "pretty good for a girl" into a phrase of empowerment.[20]
In October 2018, Mindi Abair andThe Boneshakersreleased their first blues rock holiday album,All I Got For Christmas Is The Blues.It debuted at number 7 on theBillboardBlues Albums Chart, number 1 on the RMR Holiday Album and Song Chart and number 13 on Sirius XM Bluesville. It featured four original songs including "All I Got For Christmas Is The Blues" and five holiday classics including "Merry Christmas Baby"and"The Christmas Song".
In June 2019, Abair andThe BoneshakersreleasedNo Good Deed.[21]It debuted at number 3 in theBillboardBlues Albums Chart.[22]
Radio host
editIn 2007, Abair took over the nationally syndicated radio programChill withChris Bottiwhich he had hosted for two years. The name changed to "Chill With Mindi Abair," which she hosted from 2007 to 2015. The focus of the program waschill out music.[23]
Television appearances
editAbair featured on the 2011American Idolseason as a soloist withPaul McDonaldandCasey Abramsand playing behind contestantsJacob LuskandHaley Reinhart.Steven Tylerremarked to McDonald after her debut on the show "Forget you, who's your sax player?"[24]Abair was featured on the 2012American Idolseason, performing withPhillip PhillipsandJoshua Ledet.Abair appeared with Phillips six times as a featured saxophonist, performing the songs "U Got It Bad"originally byUsher,"Disease"originally byMatchbox Twenty,"Have You Ever Seen the Rain?"originally byCreedence Clearwater Revival,"Movin' Out"originally byBilly Joel,"In The Midnight Hour"originally byWilson Pickettand "Give A Little More"originally byMaroon 5.She was also part of the selected brass section for Ledet's performance of "It's a Man's Man's Man's World"originally byJames Brown.Tyler was so impressed with Abair that he invited her to join Aerosmith on the summer leg of their 2012 world tour playing sax and singing backing vocals.[24]
She filled in as the saxophonist with theCBS Orchestraon theLate Show with David Lettermanon April 3 and 4, 2012.[25]She sat in with the band again on July 29, 2014, and she also performed her original songs "Wild Heart" and "Train."
Abair has also appeared onThe Tavis Smiley Showand more than once onThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.[26]
Other ventures
editNational Academy of Recording Arts And Sciences
editIn 2009, Abair was elected as a Governor on the Board of the Los Angeles Chapter of theNational Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences,serving for three years until 2012, when she was elected as Secretary. She spent one year serving as Secretary. In 2013, Abair was elected to a two-year term as the President of the Los Angeles Chapter, taking over the position from the previous president,MC Lyte.Mindi was elected to a two-year term as National Trustee of the Recording Academy in 2015.
Discography
editStudio albums
edit- Always and Never the Same(1999)
- It Just Happens That Way(2003)
- Come As You Are(2005)
- Life Less Ordinary(2007)
- Stars(2008)
- In Hi-Fi Stereo(2010)
- Wild Heart(2014)
- Mindi Abair &The Boneshakers–The EastWest Sessions(2017)
- Mindi Abair &The Boneshakers–No Good Deed(2019)
- Forever(2022)
Christmas albums
edit- I Can't Wait for Christmas(2004)
- Mindi Abair &The Boneshakers–All I Got For Christmas Is The Blues(2018)
Live albums
edit- Mindi Abair &The Boneshakers–Live in Seattle(2015)
Collaboration album appearances
edit- Peter White Christmas(2007)
- Dave Koz and Friends: Summer Horns(2013)
- Peter White Christmas LIVE!(2015)
Guest appearances
edit- Bobby Lyle–Power of Touch(1997)
- Adam Sandler–What's Your Name?(1997)
- Henry Phillips–Number 2(1999)
- Jeff Golub–Soul Sessions(2003)
- Michael Feinstein–Only One Life: The Songs Of Jimmy Webb(2003)
- Keb' Mo'–Peace...Back by Popular Demand(2004)
- Peach –Real Thing(2004)
- Ellis Hall–Straight Ahead(2004)
- Alan HewittProject –Noche de Pasion(2004)
- Peter White–Confidential(2004)
- Daniel Benzali–Benzali(2005)
- Loren Gold–Keys(2005)
- Val Watson –Live at the Funk Lounge(2005)
- Randy Jacobs–From Me To You(2005)
- Russ Kunkel/Chateau Beach –Rivage(2008)
- The Ides of March–Still 19(2010)
- Greg Manning –The Calling(2010)
- Jim Peterik's Lifeforce –Forces at Play( 2011)
- Brite Futures–Dark Past(2011)
- Mocean Worker–Candygram for Mowo!(2011)
- Keb' Mo' –The Reflection(2011)
- Groove Kid Nation –The Wheels on the Bus(2011)
- Terry Wollman–A Joyful Noise(2012)
- Chris Mann–Home For Christmas: The Chris Mann Christmas Special(2013)
- Chris Mann –Chris Mann in Concert: A Mann For All Seasons(2013)
- Randy Jacobs–Rhythm and the Beat(2013)
- Jeff Golub withBrian Auger–Train Keeps A-Rolling(2013)
- David Pack–Napa Crossroads(2014)
- Bobby Rush& Blinddog Smokin' –Decisions(2014)
- Sweet Pea Atkinson–Get What You Deserve(2017)
Soundtrack appearances
edit- License to Wed– "Every Time" (2007) track 9
Compilation album appearances
edit- A Twist of Motown(2003)
- WSJT94.1 Smooth Jazz, Vol. 6(2003)
- KKSF103.7 FM Sampler For AIDS Relief, Vol. 14(2003)
- Forever, For Always, For Luther(2004) on "Stop To Love"
- First Annual Smoothie Award Winners(2004)
- Live Your Life With Verve: Autumn Moods(2004)
- Dreams And Vision(2005)
- WNUA95.5 Smooth Jazz Sampler, Vol. 18(2005)
- Jazziz: Women, Volume 7(2006)
- KWJZ98.9 Smooth Jazz Vol. 10(2006)
- Wave Music, Vol. 9: Max(2006)
- The Best Christmas... Ever!(Poland) (2006)
- Smooth Sounds of the Season, Vol. 1:Circuit CityExclusive(2006)
- KKSF 103.7 FM Sampler ForAIDSRelief, Vol. 17(2006)
- Smooth Ones(2007)
- Smooth Jazz Hits(2009)
- Smooth Jazz No. 1 Hits(2011)
- Smooth Jazz Hits: Ultimate Grooves(2012)
Singles
edit| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smooth Jazz Airplay [27] |
Adult Cont. [28] | |||
| 2005 | "Make a Wish" | 21 | — | Come As You Are |
| 2006 | "Happy Christmas" | 18 | — | I Can't Wait for Christmas |
| "True Blue" | 2 | — | Life Less Ordinary | |
| "Bloom" | 1 | — | ||
| 2008 | "Smile" | 9 | — | Stars |
| "Out of the Blue" | 16 | — | ||
| "Stars" | — | 29 | ||
| 2009 | "The Little Drummer Boy" (Peter WhitewithRick Braunand Mindi Abair) |
28 | — | Peter White Christmas |
| 2010 | "Be Beautiful" | 1 | — | In Hi-Fi Stereo |
| "Get Right" | 16 | — | ||
| 2011 | "Any Way You Wanna" | 30 | — | |
| 2013 | "Got to Get You into My Life" (Dave KozfeaturingGerald Albright,Mindi Abair andRichard Elliot) |
1 | — | Dave Koz and Friends: Summer Horns |
| "I Got You (I Feel Good)" (Dave KozfeaturingGerald Albright,Mindi Abair andRichard Elliot) |
3 | — | ||
| 2014 | "Hot Fun in the Summertime" (Dave KozfeaturingGerald Albright,Mindi Abair andRichard Elliot) |
6 | — | |
| "Haute Sauce" | 3 | — | Wild Heart | |
| "Amazing Game" (Mindi Abair featuringTrombone Shorty) |
15 | — | ||
| 2015 | "Wild Heart" | 18 | — | |
| "Gone" (Mindi Abair and the Boneshakers) |
7 | — | Live in Seattle | |
| 2020 | "Forever" | 3 | — | Forever |
| 2021 | "April" | 14 | — | |
| 2022 | "Nothing Ever Hurt Like You" | 1 | — | |
| 2023 | "Fly" | 11 | — | Fly |
References
edit- ^Mindi Abair and The Boneshakers: The Eastwest Sessions – BluesFestivalGuide.Retrieved February 25, 2024.
- ^Gottlieb, Jed (July 13, 2012)."Steven Tyler taps sax player Mindi Abair for Aerosmith role".Boston Herald.RetrievedAugust 19,2012.
- ^abc"Mindi Abair".Grammy.RetrievedMay 28,2019.
- ^Soergel, Brian (February 21, 2005)."Smooth Jazz Vibes: Mindi Abair To Be Married In April".SmoothVibes.Archived fromthe originalon October 31, 2015.RetrievedOctober 31,2015.
- ^Smith, Baldwin "Smitty" (May 2008)."Jazz Monthly Feature Interview: Mindi Abair".JazzMonthly.Archived fromthe originalon April 12, 2009.RetrievedSeptember 16,2009.
- ^"It Just Happens That Way".Billboard.RetrievedSeptember 17,2009.
- ^Lucas, Rob (December 21, 2023)."The 47 best Christmas songs ever. Ever".Radio Insight.RetrievedJanuary 4,2024.
- ^"Come as you Are".Billboard.RetrievedSeptember 17,2009.
- ^"Life Less Ordinary".Billboard.RetrievedSeptember 11,2009.
- ^abc"Mindi Abair | Awards".AllMusic.May 31, 1969.RetrievedOctober 31,2015.
- ^Soergel, Brian (June 2010)."In Hi Fi Stereo – Mindi Abair".JazzTimes.
- ^"Wild Heart by Mindi Abair on iTunes".Itunes.apple. May 27, 2014.RetrievedOctober 31,2015.
- ^"Wild Heart" Debuted No. 1 Billboard Jazz, No. 1 Billboard Contemporary Jazz and No. 152 on the Billboard Top 200 ".MindiAbair.May 29, 2014. Archived fromthe originalon June 23, 2015.RetrievedOctober 31,2015.
- ^abMcDonnell, Evelyn (January 24, 2015)."Women take the spotlight at NAMM's She Rock Awards".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedOctober 31,2015.
- ^"Mindi Abair & The Boneshakers".Mindi Abair & The Boneshakers.RetrievedJune 21,2018.
- ^"New Mindi Abair and The Boneshakers CD!".Randy Jacobs.RetrievedAugust 22,2018.
- ^"Mindi Abair & The Boneshakers – SHOP".Mindi Abair & The Boneshakers.RetrievedAugust 22,2018.
- ^Villanueva, Jim (September 12, 2017)."SESSIONS, LESSONS EARNED, LEARNED: MINDI ABAIR AND THE BONESHAKERS SHAKE, RATTLE WITH SOUL ON THE EASTWEST SESSIONS".All Access Music.RetrievedSeptember 12,2017.
- ^"Billboard Blues Album Sales Chart".Billboard.RetrievedOctober 7,2017.
- ^"Pretty Good for a Girl – About page".Prettygoodforagirl.net.Archived fromthe originalon October 14, 2017.RetrievedOctober 13,2017.
- ^"No Good Deed - Mindi Abair, Mindi Abair and The Boneshakers | Songs, Reviews, Credits".AllMusic.
- ^"Blues Music: Top Blues Albums Chart".Billboard.
- ^"Chill with Mindi Abair".ChillWithMindiAbair.Archived fromthe originalon April 20, 2008.
- ^abParker, Lyndsey (April 14, 2011)."Who Was That Mystery Sax Player On 'Idol' Last Night?".Reality Rocks, Yahoo.Archived fromthe originalon April 18, 2011.RetrievedSeptember 5,2016.
- ^"Late Show with David Letterman".CBS.May 18, 2015.RetrievedOctober 31,2015.
- ^Mindi AbairatIMDb
- ^"Mindi Abair: Smooth Jazz Airplay".Billboard.
- ^"Mindi Abair: Adult Contemporary".Billboard.
External links
edit
- Official website
- Interview and Photos of Mindi Abairat SmoothJazzNotes