B.D. Lenz

Jazz fusion guitarist B.D. Lenz forged his identity by combining his background in mathematics with his knowledge of music theory to produce the right combination of grooves and melodies on his Tell the World (1997) and Lost and Found (1999), both independently recorded and produced at S.S. Sound Studios in Hamilton Square, NJ. The B.D. Lenz group consisted of Lenz (electric guitar), Geoff Mattoon (sax), James Rosocha (bass), and Tom Cottone (drums) in 2001. Drummer Brendan Buckley performed on the first CD and Cottone played drums on the second disc. Bernard Davidson Lenz, who grew up in West Milford, NJ, discovered jazz relatively late in his life. He first encountered it at a clinic given by jazz guitarist Mike Stern at the Musician's Institute in Hollywood, CA, where Lenz studied in a one-year music program from 1989-1990. Lenz didn't perform in public, concentrating instead on learning guitar and music theory during his year in California. After a year of travels across the U.S. and in Europe, he returned to New Jersey to study math education and music at Trenton State College (later renamed the College of New Jersey) from 1991-1995. Jazz guitarists Mike Stern and Pat Metheny became his bridges to the jazz world. He listened to recordings by both and traveled into Manhattan to hear Stern perform at the 55 Bar in the West Village in New York City. Metheny and Stern piqued Lenz's interest in jazz and he started to listen to Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Charlie Parker. Lenz studied guitar briefly with Stern, who directed him to pianist Charlie Banacos for further jazz studies. Lenz received his B.A. in math education with a minor in music in 1995 and began teaching math at Lenape Valley High School in Stanhope, NJ. In 1991, he formed a jazz band and began writing...