Ross Philip Mintzer (born May 26, 1987) is an American musician, singer‑songwriter, and bandleader. Since 2012, he has been the lead vocalist and frontman of the Ross Mintzer Band. In June 2005, he appeared as a performer on National Public Radio's From the Top. In 2011, he started a girls' choir in Karachi, Pakistan and has been recognized by the National Association for Music Education.
Early life Mintzer was born on May 26, 1987, in New York City to parents Richard and Cheryl Mintzer. He is the grandson of Stanley Kushner, an electrical contractor, and traces his paternal family heritage to Lithuanian-Jewish immigrants.French, Alvah. "History of Westchester County New York" Lewis Historical Publishing Company, INC. 1925, p. 586 Influenced by his uncle, Grammy‑winning saxophonist Bob Mintzer, Ross began learning saxophone at age eight. He later expanded his musical skills to include flute, guitar, vocals, and composition.
While attending Mamaroneck High School, Mintzer played in both jazz ensemble and combo."Mintzer Plays in Dr. Meeker" Larchmont Gazette. May 24, 2007. He received additional training upon transferring at the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan and pursued college studies at the Manhattan School of Music. Mintzer also studied privately with New York saxophonist, Marc Mommaas.Enright, Ed. "Broad Sounds." Downbeat Magazine. June 2005. pg. 114
In 2005, Mintzer was selected as one of 29 high‑school musicians for the Gibson/Baldwin Jazz Ensembles at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards, where he performed alongside Benny Golson at the Fonda Theatre in Hollywood.BusinessWire, "Students from Across the Nation Chosen by The GRAMMY Foundation to Participate in Prestigious Gibson/Baldwin GRAMMY Jazz Ensembles Program", The Grammy Foundation press release. January 6, 2005. Mintzer performed at the Fonda Theatre in Hollywood with award-winning Jazz saxophonist Benny Golson.BTC Geek. "Ross Mintzer Band (Bitcoin Band) to Perform Live in New York City." BTC Geek. March 29, 2015."> That same year, he appeared on NPR’s From the Top program, performing Bach’s Two‑Part Inventions with bassist Michael Thurber. Mintzer was also a co‑winner in DownBeat magazine’s 28th annual Student Awards in both the Blues/Pop/Rock Soloist and Jazz Instrumental Soloist categories. Additionally, he was invited to perform for the Jazziz On Disc compilation issued with Jazziz magazine’s October 2005 edition.
Career
2005–2012: Remington and Music in Pakistan Between 2005 and 2012, Mintzer was guitarist and composer for the ensemble Remington, initially a duo with Michael Thurber, later joined by drummer Greg Evans.Bialczak, Mark. "Evans Brings Remington North for Homecoming." Music Notebook. Syracuse.com. February 7, 2008. The Band was named after their mentor David Remington."Alumni From Touring Band and Education Program." From The Top October 28, 2009 He toured nationally with Thurber, starting music clinics at schools.
In February 2011, Mintzer joined the faculty of the American University of Sharjah’s Performing Arts Department. From October 2011 to February 2012, he taught music and English at The Garage School in Karachi, Pakistan, where he directed a girls’ choir. In June 2012, Mintzer biked across the United States to commemorate American military personnel and draw attention to civilian casualties in Pakistan.
2012–present: Ross Mintzer Mintzer formed the Ross Mintzer Band in 2012, releasing singles such as Victory, World Goes Round, and Lost in America in 2013.Michiko Studios. "Ross Mintzer Band" Hot House pg. 19. April, 2015 The band performed across cities including Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. In February 2014, Mintzer appeared on NHK’s World Wave Morning, performing and interviewing about his song Open Happiness."World Wave Morning." NHK World. Aired February 22, 2014
On May 5, 2014, the Tri‑M Music Honor Society gave him honorary life membership for contributions to music education."Mintzer, Ross TRI-M “Honorary Life Membership” " May 5, 2014. On July 7, 2015, Mintzer performed The Star‑Spangled Banner before a Sky Sox baseball game in Colorado Spring.
Mintzer recorded and released several solo singles from 2015 to 2020, including Refugee (2015), Stronger (2016), and Destiny featuring Xav A. (2018). He held a part-time instructor position at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s WeBop program in 2016 and 2017."Story Section" Facebook Inc. January 18, 2017.
In 2016, Mintzer collaborated with electronic producer Adessi on the single Breathe, which blended progressive house music with jazz-inspired brass and Middle Eastern instrumentation, accompanied by an experimental music video directed by Aiman Hassani.
Mintzer released his first solo EP Imagine on September 20, 2018.Cameos on Google "How much of your personal experience did you bring to Imagine?" Google Inc. October 28, 2019. He released The Owl on February 13, 2019.Cameos on Google "What inspired you to write The Owl?" Google Inc. November 15, 2019. In May 2019, Mintzer performed alongside Afghan social activist Fereshteh Forough at an event at The Regency in Brooklyn.Cameos on Google "What was your personal highlight of 2019?" Google Inc. October 28, 2019. Later that year, he gave a community performance at Mamaroneck High School in New York.Live at The Mamaroneck High School | September 20 2019 Facebook Inc. September 25, 2019.
In 2023, he released electronic singles including Silent Glow, Lucid, and Frndly Stars. The track Lucid and his evolving sound, which combines live saxophone performance with EDM production, were examined by Dancing Astronaut in 2024. That same year, his music received attention from We Rave You, which discussed his fusion of genres and incorporation of diverse cultural influences. In November 2024, Mintzer performed at the Pablo Center in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, in a live show that included supporting acts DOKTOR and Nolephant.
In 2025, Mintzer released the album aimless mystics, an eight-track self-produced record incorporating elements of pop, electronic dance music, and live saxophone. The album was developed over a period of approximately two years, with some material reportedly performed live before the studio versions were finalized. Its title and conceptual framework draw on Buddhist philosophy, particularly the idea of "aimlessness".
Musical style Mintzer's musical style combines elements of jazz, pop, rock, and electronic dance music, integrating live instrumentation with digital production. Influenced by his uncle, Grammy-winning saxophonist Bob Mintzer, he incorporates saxophone and guitar solos into electronically produced tracks. Tracks such as Victory, World Goes Round, and Lucid illustrate this blend of acoustic and electronic components.
His live performances often include synchronized visuals, such as lighting and laser displays, designed in collaboration with producer Max Koehler. His 2024 performance at the Pablo Center included visual elements synchronized with the setlist and drew on themes from Mintzer’s Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, incorporating the biblical story of Joseph and the concept of dreams to explore identity and personal growth.
Discography Albums TitleRelease dateFormatLabelNotes / Receptionaimless mysticsOctober 23, 2025AlbumRPM LLCEight-track album
EPs with Remington Title Release year Format Label Notes Songs for Our FriendsO'Brien Smith, Ben. “Review: Remington – NYC Indie/Dance Rock band doing all the right things” September 28, 2008. 2007 EP Remington / Independent Early Remington release Thank You Mr. RemingtonBialczak, Mark. "Trio With Heart and Soul" Syracuse(Review Section). March, 2007. 2008 EP Independent Warm WinterBrickman, Jared. “New Remington EP: The Warm Winter” April 13, 2008. 2008 EP Independent Human Music 2009 EP Independent
Singles with the Ross Mintzer Band Title Release date Format Label Notes / Reception Victory April 2013 Single RPM LLC Early band release World Goes Round April 2013 Single RPM LLC Performed internationally Lost in America August 2013 Single RPM LLC Band release Freedom 2013 Single RPM LLC Band release Open Happiness (feat. Milton Vann) 2013 Single RPM LLC Performed live on NHK Japan
Selected Solo Singles and EPs Title Release date Format Label Notes / Reception Guayaquil 2005 Single Independent Early jazz single from Interlochen Arts Academy compilation Two Step for a Rainy Day August 1, 2005 Single Jazz at Interlochen From *The Interlochen Arts Academy Jazz Combo* CD Refugee 2015 Single Independent Stronger 2016 Single Independent Breathe (feat. Adessi)2016SingleIndependentCollaboration Destiny (feat. Xav A.) January 7, 2018 Single Independent Collaboration Imagine September 20, 2018 EP Independent First solo EP The Owl February 13, 2019 Single Independent See You Again 2019 Single Independent Released as part of 2019 solo work Remember 2019 Single Independent Released as part of 2019 solo work Feels The Same 2019 Single Independent Released as part of 2019 solo work Days 2019 Single Independent Released as part of 2019 solo work Love Me The Way I Am 2020 Single Independent Later solo singleMagician2021SingleIndependentShadows2022SingleIndependentRain2022SingleIndependentReflection2022SingleIndependentThe Fire2022SingleIndependent Lucid 2023 Single Independent/Digital Profiled in Dancing Astronaut for EDM-jazz fusion styleSilent Glow2023SingleIndependentFrndly Stars2023SingleIndependent
References
External links