Feb 3, 2025 10:49 PM
The Essence of Emily
In the April 1982 issue of People magazine, under the heading “Lookout: A Guide To The Up and Coming,” jazz…
Mat Domber
(Photo: )Mat Domber, founder and president of Arbors Records, died in St. Petersburg, Fla., on Sept. 19 from cancer. He was 84.
Though he pursued real-estate law by profession, Domber launched Arbors Records with his wife Rachel in 1989 because of his desire to preserve classic jazz and support artists who play it.
Arbor Records’ first release was the 1990 Dixieland album Live At Lone Pine by Rick Faye’s Hot Five. Domber released more than 300 recordings on the Arbors label, ranging from contemporary jazz to ragtime to swing. Based in Clearwater, Fla., the label’s catalog includes albums by Dick Hyman, Bucky Pizzarelli, Flip Phillips, Ralph Sutton, Johnny Varro, Bob Wilber, Harry Allen, Ken Peplowski and Aaron Weinstein.
Trombonist/cornetist Dan Barrett is the label’s most recorded artist, having appeared on more than four dozen Arbors releases.
In 2008, Domber told The Mississippi Rag, “I feel that jazz is a big tent, able to encompass many styles, including well-played Dixieland. Arbors tries to promote that point of view and has even edged its way into some more contemporary styles.”
In 1992, Domber co-founded the nonprofit organization The Statesman of Jazz, which preserved the heritage of jazz through clinics and concerts by approximately 50 professional musicians.
In addition to his reputation as a nose for top jazz talent, Domber was also widely known for his March of Jazz events—a series of weekend jazz parties that began in 1994 when Domber hosted an 80th birthday party for bassist Bob Haggart. Domber’s March of Jazz events continued for 10 years until 2003, celebrating the milestone birthdays of jazz musicians such as Hyman and Phillips and eventually featuring nearly 90 musicians.
Performance clips from Arbors Records events are posted on the label’s YouTube channel.
A lifelong record collector and music fan, Domber was introduced to jazz by his father, who took him to New York performances by artists such as clarinetist Pee Wee Russell and cornetist Muggsy Spanier.
Domber is survived by his wife, who currently serves as vice president of Arbors Records.
DB
“She said, ‘A lot of people are going to try and stop you,’” Sheryl Bailey recalls of the advice she received from jazz guitarist Emily Remler (1957–’90). “‘They’re going to say you slept with somebody, you’re a dyke, you’re this and that and the other. Don’t listen to them, and just keep playing.’”
Feb 3, 2025 10:49 PM
In the April 1982 issue of People magazine, under the heading “Lookout: A Guide To The Up and Coming,” jazz…
As Ted Nash, left, departs the alto saxophone chair for LCJO, Alexa Tarantino steps in as the band’s first female full-time member.
Mar 4, 2025 1:29 PM
If only because openings for JLCO’s 15 permanent positions appear about as frequently as sub-freezing days on the…
Larry Appelbaum with Wayne Shorter in 2012.
Feb 25, 2025 10:49 AM
Larry Appelbaum, a distinguished audio engineer, jazz journalist, historian and broadcaster, died Feb. 21, 2025, in…
“If you don’t keep learning, your mind slows down,” Coleman says. “Use it or lose it.”
Jan 28, 2025 11:38 AM
PolyTropos/Of Many Turns — the title for Steve Coleman’s latest recording on Pi and his 33rd album overall —…
Cynthia Erivo and Herbie Hancock perform “Fly Me To The Moon” during a Grammy Awards tribute to Quincy Jones on Feb. 2.
Feb 3, 2025 10:21 PM
The jazz and blues community may not have been center stage for the majority of the 67th annual Grammy Award…
