Mental Health Assoc. in NJ Explores Art & Creativity, Nov. 23

VIRTUAL GROUP - JOIN US MONDAYs at 5 p.m. Host Lynette Sheard, a West Orange resident and Director of the Mental Health Association in New Jersey's New Jersey Mental Health Players, explores mental health and creativity every week, through insightful interactive discussion and an interview with a special guest from the performing arts community. Zoom in or watch on Facebook Live on the Mental Health Association in New Jersey's Facebook Page for an excellent opportunity to gain valuable information and share collective wellness tips for maintaining emotional well-being. Zoom Meeting ID: 845 9463 4675 Password: 959767 (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84594634675?pwd=Wi9HdWVBYnBaRXdtanZBZFMxN0VIUT09)

On Monday, November 23, Ms. Sheard's guest will be Richard Reiter, a nationally acclaimed jazz performer and composer whose music has also reached international audiences. Mr. Reiter performs ten woodwinds: saxophones (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone), flutes (C-flute, alto flute, bass flute), clarinets (Bb soprano, Bb bass clarinet), and piccolo. He improvises exciting solos that are emotional, adventuresome and thoughtfully structured.

The four CDs by Mr. Reiter's contemporary jazz group (originally called Crossing Point, now called The Richard Reiter Afro-Jazz Project) received rave reviews and steady national airplay. The fourth CD "I Hear Africa" and the recording "Swing This!" by The Richard Reiter Swing Band are both on Reiter's label City Pigeon Records, as is his latest CD "Live at China Gourmet." Of Mr. Reiter's playing, Bill Milkowski wrote in Downbeat: "Richard Reiter has forged an expressive and personal sound." George Kanzler wrote in the Newark Star Ledger: "Reiter is a resourceful soloist who composes exceptionally melodic compositions."

Mr. Reiter has appeared as guest soloist with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (performing David Amram's "Triple Concerto") and as a featured artist on both national television (CROSSING POINT's half hour PBS show "Live & Listener Friendly") and worldwide television (their three "Arts America" half hour shows produced by the United States Information Agency). He was the on-stage soloist in Bob Fosse's Broadway musical "Dancin'" (performing Benny Goodman's clarinet solo from "Sing Sing Sing") and has been backup for such notables as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett (playing the "jazz tenor sax" chair), Nancy Wilson, Johnny Mathis, Linda Hopkins, Temptations and Supremes. Reiter has recorded with such artists as Marshall Hawkins, Buck Hill, Jimmy Hopps, Stan Rubin, Joe Carson and Mother Scott.

In 1979 Mr. Reiter received an EMMY Award for Best Musical Score for an Independent Production for his music to "Generation on the Wind," an Academy Award nominated feature documentary. Piano star Michel Camilo performed Reiter's chart "Fast Feet" with Camilo's big band and Diane Moser's Composers Big Band has featured Reiter's "Bumpy Road."

Mr. Reiter traveled to Dakar, Senegal (west Africa) where he performed with many "Afro-Pop" bands. Senegal's national radio station "Dakar FM" featured Crossing Point CDs and an interview with Reiter, who played his sax live on the air.

In recognition of his talent, and with a support letter from legendary jazz artist Sonny Rollins, Mr. Reiter has been awarded three grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. Reiter is listed in the Marquis "Who's Who in Entertainment."