Vincent Herring facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vincent Herring
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Herring at Birdland, New York City
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Vincent Dwyne Herring |
| Born | November 19, 1964 Hopkinsville, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, educator |
| Instruments | Saxophone, flute |
| Years active | 1982–present |
| Labels | Landmark, MusicMasters, HighNote, Smoke Sessions |
| Associated acts | Nat Adderley, Cedar Walton, Art Blakey, Horace Silver, Freddie Hubbard, Louis Hayes, Eric Alexander |
Vincent Dwyne Herring (born November 19, 1964) is an American jazz musician. He plays the saxophone and flute. He is also a composer and a teacher. Vincent Herring is known for his energetic and soulful playing style. He played with famous jazz artists like Horace Silver, Freddie Hubbard, and Nat Adderley early in his career. Today, he travels the world performing with his own bands. He also teaches jazz music to students.
Contents
Vincent Herring's Early Life and Music Journey
Vincent Herring was born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, in the United States. When he was young, his parents divorced. He and his mother then moved to California.
Discovering Music
At age 11, Vincent started playing the saxophone. He played in school bands and took private lessons. He studied at Dean Frederick's School of Music in Vallejo, California. By the time he was 16, he was good enough to get a music scholarship. This allowed him to attend California State University, Chico.
Military Service and Moving to New York
A year later, Vincent tried out for the United States Military Academy band. This band is called the Jazz Knights. He became their lead alto sax player. He moved to West Point and served in the military for a short time. In 1982, he moved to New York City. There, he attended Long Island University to continue his music studies.
Vincent Herring's Music Career
Vincent Herring's career began with touring. He traveled across the United States and Europe. He played as part of the Lionel Hampton Big Band.
Playing with Jazz Legends
His talent soon caught the attention of Nat Adderley. They formed a strong musical partnership that lasted nine years. They recorded nine albums together. They also toured the world every year. After Nat Adderley passed away, Vincent worked with Louis Hayes. They created the Cannonball Adderley Legacy Band. This band honored the music of Cannonball Adderley.
Vincent also played with pianist Cedar Walton for over 20 years. He performed or recorded with many other famous jazz musicians. These include Dizzy Gillespie, Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Freddie Hubbard, and Nancy Wilson. He also played with the Mingus Big Band. Vincent has been a special guest soloist at important venues. He played with Wynton Marsalis at Lincoln Center. He also performed with Jon Faddis and The Carnegie Hall Big Band.
His Own Projects and Bands
Vincent Herring has recorded more than 20 albums as a band leader. He has also played on over 250 albums as a sideman. Besides the Cannonball Adderley Legacy Band, he leads other groups. These include Something Else and The Battle with Vincent Herring and Eric Alexander. He also leads The Vincent Herring-Joris Dudli's Soul Jazz Alliance. Other projects are Earth Jazz Agents and Jazz The Story.
Vincent Herring has taken his bands on many tours. He has visited Japan, Europe, and China. He has also performed at almost every major jazz festival around the world.
Vincent Herring as an Educator
Vincent Herring is also dedicated to teaching music. He is a professor at William Paterson University. He also teaches at the Manhattan School of Music. In 2024, he released his own jazz improvisation book. It is called Logic and Critical Thinking in Jazz Improvisation. The book shares his unique ideas and methods for jazz improvisation.
Images for kids
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Vincent Herring performing with the Nat Adderley Quintet, 1993
