Bob is a jazz artist, a composer, guitarist and arranger. During
his career he has studied and performed with great artists in jazz and
modern classical music. All for the purpose of achieving
excellence in his pursuit of music. At the same time searching and
finding inspiration and instruction from masters of music.
During the course of his life Bob has pursued multiple art forms.
His other artistic accomplishments include being a glass blower,
painter, cook and gardener. He is an accomplished artist in many
disciplines.
Bob was born in Cleveland, Ohio. His bio states that he "was
exposed to music at an early age . Both of his grandmothers played piano
, and he began to find his way around the instrument as soon as he could
climb aboard . He began to actually play piano under his great
grandmother's tutelage , but soon graduated to a home made guitar which
his father helped to fashion from a cigar box and fishing line .
Reflecting back on this first guitar, Niederriter notes that without any
instruction he tuned the instrument in 4ths . He also studied the
violin, and while he found the lessons too constrictive he did maintain
interest long enough to learn to read music".
Bob attended Kent State University, studying with renowned glass artist
Henry Halem and also with painters Craig Lucas and Robert Culley . His
bio indicates that he "developed an interest in creating panels and
mediums for his paintings, creating his own egg tempura as well as more
modern paints. Not coincidentally, his acuity in mixing mediums is
mirrored in his passion for establishing texture and color in composing
and arranging music" .
"Despite his diversity of interests , however, his approach to music is
based upon an embrace of a fundamental modern jazz tradition. As a
Guitarist he cites the dominant influence of Wes Montgomery on his thumb
technique , his tone and his compositional style. He also points
to the seminal recordings of Charlie Christian and Barney Kessel as
having had an important impact on his playing. As a guitarist he
has also been strengthened through study with masters such as Jimmy
Rainey, Cal Collins, Jack Wilkins, Herb Ellis and Jim Hall, whom he
cites as a significant influence in the development of his understanding
of harmony in composition. Niederriter is also quick to stress the
impact of Cleveland guitarist Ralph Russo, whom he credits with teaching
him about the guitar neck as well as arranging for the instrument.
It was under Russo's tutelage that Niederriter first took tunes from the
Real Book and created arrangements for the guitar".
"As a guitar stylist , Niederriter has shunned the temptations of
gratuitous speed and technique for a more considered and mature approach
, particularly with respect to soloing. His lines are thoughtfully
conceived and cleanly executed statements which are more reflective of
melodic acuity than empty dexterity. With respect to chording and
texture , one hears in Niederriter's playing the influence of Farlow and
Montgomery".
"Niederriter's most deeply felt musical impulses, however, are expressed
in his composing and arranging . He has absorbed the music of the modern
jazz masters , most notably Charlie Parker , whose music became an
obsession for Niederriter, and Thelonius Monk , whose dissonances and
use of space and distended rhythm captivated him. And he has
studied with some of the great minds in the music-both at the New School
for Social Research in New York City where he earned a Bachelor of Fine
Arts degree, and through his own initiative".
"At the New School he studied and played under Ed Neumeister and Bill
Kirschner as well as Reggie Workman, Junior Mance, Arnie Lawrence and
Jim Hall. It was a phenomenally rich enviornment within which to
work and learn, and the experience had a defining impact on
Niederriter's approach to jazz performance and composition. While
in New York he composed jazz music for double quartet (jazz and strings)
as well as jazz septet and big band".
"Since leaving the New School Niederriter has continued to compose and
perform, recently completing his first recording and performing
regularly in Cleveland with drummer Greg Bandy. The recording
features and organ trio with Greg Bandy and organist Oliver Von Essen
joining Niederriter in performing original compositions as well as jazz
standards. It is also revealing in its diversity and consistency.
Niederriter explores an ambitious array of composers, rhythms and
styles, but manages to keep the music swinging and songful throughout".
"Of course, like most creative artists, he has many more projects "in
the can" and ready to move into production. As a guitarist,
composer and arranger, Bob Niederriter has only begun to scratch the
surface of his talent and his music".
VIDEO INTERVIEW
"Words & Music": Tommy Wiggins interviewing
Bob Niederriter interview at Tri-CBob Niederriter on 'Words and Music'. from Bob Niederriter on Vimeo.
Q&A:
A few questions about Bob's music experiences
DCB: You spoke of aging musicians sharing their special talents,
like Ralph Russo, who you studied with. What Ralph Russo talents were you
able to master and will you keep the craft alive by passing on the knowledge he
bestowed on you?
Also, after listening to your interview on Crooked River Groove I did a search
for guitarist Ralph Russo. There is almost nothing about him to be found
on the Internet. There is your reference and one other. There a few
CDs that list him as guitarist on the tracks. That's it. For the
record, how did you hear of him? What did he pass on to you through his
instruction?
Bob: In the Cleveland area Ralph was well known by the guitarists .
Many of the best in the area took lessons from Ralph. I took two lessons a
week from him for five years . The focus of our study was guitar arranging and
many different techniques . Over time we covered a vast amount of guitar info ,
including set up and truss rod adjusting for arch top Gibson guitars .
There were rumors amongst some of the students that Ralph
had worked under different names. I don't know if any of that is true . I
have been around many of the greatest players and Ralph was one of the best
guitar arrangers I have seen . I always thought the best solo guitarists were
Joe Pass and Tal Farlow. Ralph was a little more like Van Epps , all great
! I could never teach as well as Ralph. He said I was more of a player
then a teacher. I think he was right . He was quiet and put his energy
into his teaching.
I have taught some but not much anymore . If I could find the right students it would be great . I don't think there are too many kids out there that want to or have the focus and discipline to be jazz guitarists. It is very hard to make a living doing this, there aren't enough gigs to go around . It is costly and time consuming to learn . Club owners are quick to have a juke box or even worse a dj in place of real musicians. While in New York I had many conversations with teachers at school and a common theme was that they were training allot of good and great musicians for little or no work. I am lucky to have been able to study many of the things I have , and even to have had my music heard at all , and struggled greatly to do so . When and how this became important to me I am not sure but it did. Ralph died of a heart attack at the age of 53 in his office after lunch one day, many years before I went to NYC to go to the New School
I have taught some but not much anymore . If I could find the right students it would be great . I don't think there are too many kids out there that want to or have the focus and discipline to be jazz guitarists. It is very hard to make a living doing this, there aren't enough gigs to go around . It is costly and time consuming to learn . Club owners are quick to have a juke box or even worse a dj in place of real musicians. While in New York I had many conversations with teachers at school and a common theme was that they were training allot of good and great musicians for little or no work. I am lucky to have been able to study many of the things I have , and even to have had my music heard at all , and struggled greatly to do so . When and how this became important to me I am not sure but it did. Ralph died of a heart attack at the age of 53 in his office after lunch one day, many years before I went to NYC to go to the New School
DCB: On the DVD Crooked River Groove music videos, who are the
musicians accompanying you on the tracks?
Bob: The band on my video is Marty
Block-Bass, Val Kent-Drums and Andy Michalec-Piano .
VIDEO:
Chris Hovan Organic Trio featuring Chris Hovan (drums), Bob Niederriter (guitar) and Robert Mason (organ) at Blu Jazz in Akron, Ohio on December 6, 2018Bob Niederriter Quartet plays Isle of Silk
Bob Niederriter Quartet plays Cloud 9
