Tim Price is one of the country’s foremost woodwind instrumentalists who graduated from Berklee College of Music. The sax is his instrument of choice. He shares lots of fond musical memories including some from the Grand Hotel at 7th and Franklin St in Reading.

Tim still studies music and he says it all started right here in Reading. Tim Price talks about Joe Miller being a big influence on him, “Joe Miller really was one of the saxophone players that played on a major level … a melodic swinging player. He was no nonsense as a human being and helped me as a kid. … I studied clarinet and sax with Joe.” Tim has fond memories of Joe and is grateful for his influence. Tim adds, “Joe was certainly a driving force in giving me a reality of learning how to play … He knew about jazz …. He was aware of the great players …. He was really thrilled when I went to Berklee. Joe would tell you right out …. In music you need a reality check”

Tim remembers the musical era in which he grew up. He was able to look at things and the music was always up close and personal. He would watch and think that he could do that. And he did! Tim says, “I saw how an audience related to stuff. I was exposed to a grits and gravy organ group sound”. That is what you will hear when Tim Price plays the blues with Greg Hatza. Time notes, “The organ thing is the best when you are really trying to relate to people. An organ group has a different vernacular than anything else. You can’t fake an organ group”

Tim is keeping that vernacular alive, as a teacher, a clinician and a musician. Greg Hatza and the Tim Price Organ Quartet will be featured Sat April 2 at Michael Tozzi’s ijazzglobal.com Café at the Crowne Plaza.