Personal Background: Born in 1967, Greg grew up in Morton Grove, Illinois, a northern suburb of Chicago. Began playing clarinet at the age of 12. Started playing tenor saxophone at 13. Started working professionally around Chicago at 15. Placed first Tenor Sax for jazz in state of Illinois at 1985 Illinois Music Educator’s Assoc. conference, Peoria, Illinois. Started playing flute at 19. PROFESSIONAL ENSEMBLE EXPERIENCE Has performed with: The Woody Herman Big Band, The Louie Bellson Big Band, Slide Hampton, Jackie Cain & Roy Kral, Lou Levy, Marian McPartland, Conte Candoli, Ira Sullivan, Clark Terry, Ralph Burns, and Don Menza. Judy Roberts Quartet 1993-present Performed in Singapore for four months in 1995, recorded compact disc, “Circle Of Friends.” Played at Blues Alley in Washington D.C. in 1996. Recorded compact disc, “In The Moment” in 1999. Performed at the North Sea Jazz Festival in 2000 and 2002. The group performs frequently around Chicago at the Jazz Showcase and performs concerts throughout the U.S.A. Two For Brazil – 1998-present The group began on June 10, 1998, when Garcia and Fishman were separately invited to play together at a Getz/Gilberto tribute at the Chicago Cultural Center. Though they'd never met, their musical chemistry was instantaneous and people assumed they were already an established duo. They soon became one, going from Chicago clubs to sold-out audiences in China, Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Japan. In 2001, they also performed at the North Sea Jazz Festival and, much closer to home, won "Best Jazz Entertainers 2001" at the Chicago Music Awards. Two For Brazil performed at the NorthSea Jazz Festival in 2001. The name Two for Brazil has a double meaning: It signifies the group's two members — Paulinio Garcia on vocals and guitar and Greg Fishman on saxophone and flute — as well as their shared fondness for the music of Brazil. It's also a reference to the fact that most Brazilian songs are written in 2/4. Two for Brazil is an acoustic duo whose warm, intimate, direct approach recalls the legendary pairing of João Gilberto and Stan Getz, but they cover a wider range of material — not just the familiar hits by Jobim, but Brazilian songs from the 1920s up to the compositions of the current pantheon: Djavan, Ivan Lins,Edú Lobo, Gilberto Gil, Luiz Bonfá, Toninho Horta, Chico Buarque, and Milton Nascimento. They explore the many styles of samba, as well as the baiao, bossa, and Brazilian waltz. Two for Brazil also embraces the classic jazz repertoire, including Gillespie, Coltrane, Parker, and Monk, an innovative blend that has brought them increasing visibility and acclaim. When not on tour, Fishman performs at jazz clubs in the Chicago area with the following musicians: Dennis Luxion, Eric Schneider, Marlene Rosenberg, Kelly Sill, Joel Spencer, Jim Cox, Phil Gratteau, Art Davis, Stewart Miller, Larry Kohut, John Young, Dan Trudell, Jeremy Kahn, Robert Shy, Jodie Christian and Greg Sergo EDUCATION Masters of Music Jazz Pedagogy, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, June 1999 Bachelor of Music Jazz Studies, DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois, 1991 Studies at Northwestern: Jazz Writing with Don Owens 1998-1999 Jazz Pedagogy with Antonio Garcia 1998-1999 Jazz Piano with Mike Kocour 1998-1999 Studies at DePaul: Jazz improvisation/piano with Alan Swain 1987-1991 Jazz saxophone with Mark Colby 1987-1989 Classical Clarinet lessons with Larry Combs 1990-1991 Classical Flute lessons with Martha Farahat 1988-1990 Independent Studies: Jazz improvisation lessons with Joe Daley 1984-1985 Jazz improvisation lessons with Hal Galper 1989-1990 Jazz improvisation lessons with Joe Henderson 1990 Jazz improvisation lessons with James Moody 1988-1991 David Liebman saxophone masterclass and reunion class, 1989 & 1991 RECORDED WORKS Two For Brazil CD “Take Five,” 2002 Two For Brazil CD (Greg Fishman & Paulinho Garcia) “Standards,” 2001 Jens Bunge CD “Meet You In Chicago,” 2000 Two For Brazil CD (Greg Fishman & Paulinho Garcia) “Two For Noel,” 2000 Greg Fishman & Eddie Higgins CD “Indian Summer,” 1999 Judy Roberts CD “In The Moment,” 1999 Paulinho Garcia/Greg Fishman CD “Two For Brazil,” 1999 Judy Roberts CD “Circle Of Friends,” 1995 John Bany CD “John Bany Sings,” 1993 Kirsten Gustafson CD “You Taught My Heart To Sing,” 1992 PUBLISHED WORKS Jazz Etude Book: "Jazz Saxophone Etudes," published by Greg Fishman Jazz Studios, 2005 Transcription Books: “Stan Getz Bossa Novas,” published by Hal Leonard, 1998 “Stan Getz Standards,” published by Hal Leonard, 1997 “Tenor Saxophone Standards,” published by Hal Leonard, 1996 “Stan Getz Solos,” published by Hal Leonard, 1993 UNPUBLISHED WORKS 600 Transcriptions of jazz solos 20 Original Jazz etudes 30 Original tunes CRITIC’S QUOTES “Tenor saxophonist Greg Fishman nearly steals the show while sailing through Charlie Parker’s “Scrapple From the Apple.” However, it soon becomes clear that boppish dexterity isn’t his only strength, as he brings a warm, soulful, singing tone to several ballads that sometimes recalls the logic and lyricism of Stan Getz.” - The Washington Post, review of “Circle of Friends.” “Fishman, especially, outdid himself, creating brilliant solos in several extended works.” - Chicago Tribune, review of Woody Herman concert. “This book transcends a mere collection of solos. Included are a complete discography for all solos, a beautifully written Getz biography, and a to the point stylistic analysis of Getz’s improvisational language and approach. Congratulations to Greg Fishman on his combination of scholarship and musicianship, and thanks to Hal Leonard for recognizing his efforts and including them in this beautifully packaged book.” - Saxophone Journal, review of Stan Getz Solo book. AWARDS RECEIVED First Place, Jazz Division, North American Saxophone Alliance Competition, 1992 Second place, Jazz Division, Quest for Excellence competition, 1991 First place, All-State Honors Jazz Band, Illinois Music Educators Association, 1985 MEMBER American Federation of Musicians International Association of Jazz Educators National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences BMI