Saxophonist Janelle Reichman

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at Community High and private mentoring by multi-instrumentalist Vincent York.

At the time her goals might have seemed somewhat unrealistic. But Reichman moved on to New York, where she obtained a master's degree three years ago at the Manhattan School of Music. This was an inspired choice. With a solid musical education and much performance experience, she was able to study with saxophonists Steve Wilson, Bob Mintzer, and Dick Oatts. All three are well-trained perfectionists who have deep harmonic knowledge and have invested years in developing individual instrumental voices.

In jazz, first-rate musical training all too often produces bland competence. Not in Reichman's case, however: by force of talent and personality, she took full advantage of the knowledge and experience of her stellar teachers, building on the inspired early training she received from her Ann Arbor tutors. As a result, only a few years after landing in New York, Reichman has become a busy player, leading her own groups and very much in demand as a sidewoman.

In New York, Reichman regularly plays with two orchestras, the well-established all-woman DIVA, as well as with a big band led by Noriko Ueda, DIVA's bass player. She is also a regular member of the modern jazz combo Fiveplay and of the Redhook Ramblers, which looks back in time, re-creating New Orleans music. In addition to playing in others' combos, Reichman has just released her first recording as a leader, Middleground.