My friend Al Naylor has mentored and taught thousands of Iowa jazz players. Many of them have followed him into teaching and playing professionally. And he has taught this non-player so much about jazz and leading a band.
Al’s music career began in his home town of Jefferson, Iowa, where his school band was directed by the legendary Jack Oatts, founder of high school jazz in Iowa. He studied at UNI in the heyday of that university’s jazz program, directed by Jim Coffin. He toured nationally with pop and funk bands, including a stint in New York City, before returning to Iowa to finish college and begin his teaching career.
It’s my pleasure to host this page which features some audio and video highlights of his work.
Dennis
Jefferson, IA High School 1967-1968
- Formula SK-32
- Pastel for Trumpet
- A Rocker for The Prez
- Yesterdays Blues
- All Heart (featuring Clark Terry)
UNI Jazz Band One 1972
Sisters-Freeway 1973-1975
Chopper 1975-1977
1980s – 1990s
- Blues for MJ – Original composition performed with UNI Jazz Band One at the 1985 Montreux Jazz Festival
- Take Me Out To The Ballgame – Brass arrangement written to play during the 7th-inning stretch for the Cedar Rapids Kernels. This recording has Al on all the parts.
Variety Club Telethon
1991: “A Night in Tunisia,” “Jonny Quest Theme,” & “Nica’s Dream.”
1992: Day In, Day Out” & When I Fall in Love”
1992: “On Green Dolphin St.” & “Fingers”
I-380 Express Audio Recordings
2000’s
- How Great Thou Art – arrangement for orchestra and chorus. Performed in June 2005 at First Presbyterian Church, Cedar Rapids.
- Full Concert! Al Naylor Quartet at Kirkwood Community College, March 2009
