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Biography
Notability|date=February 2011COI|date=February 2011Infobox musical artist | name = Alfonzo Blackwell| image =| alt =| caption =| background = non_vocal_instrumentalist| birth_name = Alfonzo Blackwell| Born = Brooklyn , New York | origin = New York City | genre = Contemporary jazz , smooth jazz , nu jazz , Jazz fusion|fusion | occupation = Saxophonist , songwriter , composer , arranger , record producer|producer , lyricist | years_active = 1995–present| label = Utopia| website = URL| http://www.alfonzoblackwell.com/ Alfonzo Blackwell is an American modern contemporary jazz saxophonist/composer/producer. Alfonzo Blackwell is also a well accomplished pianist, bassist, guitarist and drummer. He is the pioneer of the ‘Rhythm & Cool’ NY swing sound.Citation needed|date=February 2011
Biography
Alfonzo Blackwell was born Alfonzo Robert Blackwell Jr. in Brooklyn, NY. Music was always a big part of his household and childhood upbringing. He learned to play the piano by ear at the age of six. He began playing saxophone at age eleven and became proficient on alto, tenor and soprano saxophones. Throughout the years Alfonzo added several new instruments to his arsenal. He started to play the drums, bass and guitar along the way.
He was accepted at the Performing Arts High School in NYC and then continued his advanced studies at The Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College and Five Towns College for Music in Long Island, NY. While honing his craft, his jazz influences included Cannonball Adderley , John Coltrane , Jackie McLean , Eric Dolphy and Charlie Parker . He performed at jazz clubs throughout the tri-state area and earned a weekly residency at a popular Manhattan music venue. Through his youth, Alfonzo played in big bands, jazz ensembles, funk bands, etc. to showcase his original material to his growing audiences and he also played traditional jazz standards and added a few cover tunes in his shows. His formula for mixing traditional jazz with modern contemporary soul and jazz is what makes up his musical presence to date.
Blackwell entered the contemporary jazz music scene in May 1995 with his debut CD release Let’s Imagine .cite web|url= http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-2351789.html |title=Alfonzo Blackwell Debuts New Album |publisher=Highbeam.com |date=1995-07-18 |accessdate=2011-10-06 With his debut release, instant NAC radio hit "Alfonzo’s Love Theme"; he forged ahead with more Top 10 Billboard charting hits. "Hermina", an originally penned tribute to his mother, "Passion" and "Funky Shuffle"; to name a few were chart toppers as well. Music video hits, "Love No Limit" and "A Little Bit of Sax" were both nominated for Best Contemporary Jazz Video Billboard Awards and was a regular feature on BET and other popular music video channels. His "Funky Shuffle" and "Take One" (remix) music videos also generated buzz. His music compositions have been used for movie themes as well as television, having performed the theme song to the internationally successful television show, Baywatch Nights where he was featured every week with David Hasselhoff . He also was featured on the movie soundtrack for the Rebecca De Mornay and Antonio Banderas movie, Never Talk to Strangers , with the hit track, "Love Sick". Alfonzo Blackwell has performed with musicians including Gladys Knight , The Whispers and Roy Ayers to name a few. He also performed with contemporary soul artists such as Mary J. Blige , Faith Evans and Brian McKnight .
Throughout his musical career, Alfonzo has always made it a priority to pay tribute to jazz greats who came before him and inspired him by recording his own renditions of such classics as Quincy Jones ’ masterful production of "Killer Joe", George Benson ’s "Breezin",cite web|title =Alfonzo Blackwell: Review |first=Jonathan |last=Widran |publisher=Allmusic| url =Allmusic|class=album|id=alfonzo-blackwell-r241516|pure_url=yes |accessdate =27 February 2011 John Coltrane ’s take on the classic "My Favorite Things"cite web|url= http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/blackwell_alfonzo/albums.jhtml? albumId=635467 |title=VH1 Artist Profile |publisher=Vh1.com |date= |accessdate=2011-10-06 and Miles Davis ’ "All Blues". Growing up, Alfonzo was hugely inspired by all the various musical styles that his parents played in his home. He also produced and performed his rendition of the funk-soul power group, MFSB ’s "Love Is the Message" on his self-titled LP. 2010 marked Alfonzo’s fifteenth anniversary in the music business and to commemorate this milestone, a special tribute to John Coltrane was in the works and will be featured on his eighth project, Legacy . He will produce and perform Coltrane’s traditional standard "Impressions" for 2011 single track release.
Causes and special interests
Alfonzo supports various charitable causes and music education programs. In his spare time, he is a competitive bodybuilder and power-lifter and has won several awards and trophies throughout his rigorous training. He is also a competitive Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. Alfonzo Blackwell uses his intense musical discipline to master of all facets of his life that has made him the student of success.vague|date=February 2011 He is currently an American Heart Association (AHA) ambassador for the Power to End Stroke campaign initiative.cite web|url= http://www.powertoendstroke.org/ |title=American Heart Association Ambassadors |publisher=Powertoendstroke.org |date= |accessdate=2011-10-06 He also serves as a speaker and board member of the Artist Empowerment Coalition. The Artist Empowerment Coalition is a not-for-profit coalition of artists, musicians, songwriters, producers and music lovers. The AEC was initiated and inspired through the efforts of artists such as Stevie Wonder , Prince (musician)|Prince , Roberta Flack and Chaka Khan along with the law firm of L. Londell McMillan , P.C. and supports musicians and artist’s rights.cite web|url= http://www.splendidezine.com/departments/liveline/fmc2003/ |title=The Fight for the Future of Music |publisher=Splendidezine.com |date= |accessdate=2011-10-06
http://www.alfonzoblackwell.com Official Alfonzo Blackwell website
http://www.utopiarecordings.com Official Utopia Records website
Persondata | NAME = Blackwell, Alfonzo | ALTERNATIVE NAMES = | SHORT DESCRIPTION = | DATE OF BIRTH = | PLACE OF BIRTH = | DATE OF DEATH = | PLACE OF DEATH = DEFAULTSORT:Blackwell, Alfonzo Category:American composers Category:American jazz saxophonists Category:American jazz guitarists Category:American jazz pianists Category:American jazz drummers Category:American music industry executives Category:Smooth jazz guitarists Category:African American guitarists Category:African American pianists Category:African American drummers Category:Living people
