Wayne Escoffery's Ascent to the Vanguard

Seventeen years have passed since I first heard Wayne Escoffery play saxophone in the halls of the Hartt School in West Hartford, CT. Wayne and fellow freshman Jimmy Greene were quickly dubbed the "Twin Towers" in Hartt's jazz program headed by the legendary Jackie McLean. The nickname wasn't merely an obvious reference to their physical stature, but a nod to their seeming inseparability as they dedicated themselves to jazz mastery, propelling themselves forward like cycling teammates drafting in a Grand Tour.

Since the Hartt years, Wayne has followed his own course with unwavering resolution. Through college and beyond, he led a weekly jam session for six years at Rudy's in New Haven, CT, with the finest local musicians. These were intense, serious sessions, each a master class in and of itself. I distinctly recall one Rudy's session including prodigal drummer Jim Oblon that particularly showcased Wayne's steep trajectory. The lesson that night was clear. There's no better way to improve at jazz than sheer dedication and immersion.

Wayne went on from there to study in the exclusive Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance at The New England Conservatory in Boston. Beyond graduation in 1999, it's been a steady stream of career milestones for Wayne. Touring with Herbie Hancock, several albums as a leader and sideman, steady work with the Mingus Big Band, and regular gigs with Ben Riley's Monk Legacy Septet, and The Tom Harrell Quintet.

Despite all the success and accolades, Wayne remains one of the most humble and warm musicians on the scene today. I've seen how hard he has worked and how deep his respect for the music is. So it's with great pride that I look forward to his debut as a leader at the Village Vanguard next week, June 8-13, 2010.