Bruce Barth

Bruce Barth
Background information
Born (1958-09-07) September 7, 1958 (age 66)
Pasadena, California, U.S.
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Musician, composer, producer
InstrumentPiano
LabelsEnja, Fresh Sound, MAXJAZZ
Websitewww.brucebarth.com

Bruce David Barth (born September 7, 1958) is a jazz pianist, composer, and producer.

Early life

Barth was born in Pasadena, California, on September 7, 1958.[1] He started to play the piano around the age of five.[1][2] He had private jazz lessons with pianist Norman Simmons from 1978 to 1980[2] and studied at the New England Conservatory of Music in the early 1980s, including under Jaki Byard and George Russell.[1]

Later life and career

Barth moved to New York in 1988, where he was part of groups led by Stanley Turrentine (1989–90) and Terence Blanchard (1990–94).[2] Barth's first album as a leader, In Focus, was released by Enja Records and was based around standards.[3] The follow-up, Morning Call, was also released by Enja and the material was mostly Barth originals.[4] He has led his own small groups since 1993, and has been a freelance pianist and arranger.[2] He was on the teaching faculty of the Berklee College of Music from 1985 to 1988 and Long Island University from 1990.[2] He has also been a record producer, including for vocalist Carla Cook.[5]

Discography

An asterisk (*) indicates that the year is that of release.

As leader

Year recorded Title Label Personnel/Notes
1993* In Focus Enja Quintet, with Scott Wendholt (trumpet, flugelhorn), Steve Wilson (alto sax, soprano sax), Robert Hurst (bass), Lewis Nash (drums)
1994* Morning Call Enja With Scott Wendholt (trumpet, flugelhorn), Steve Wilson (alto sax, soprano sax), Larry Grenadier (bass), Leon Parker (drums)
1997 Don't Blame Me Double-Time Trio, with Ed Howard (bass), Billy Drummond (drums)
1998 Hope Springs Eternal Double-Time Quartet, with Steve Wilson (alto sax, soprano sax, flute), Ed Howard (bass), Adam Cruz (drums)
1999 Where Eagles Fly Fresh Sound With Sam Newsome (soprano sax), Pat O'Leary (bass), Adam Cruz (drums)
2000 Somehow It's True Double-Time With Terell Stafford (trumpet), Adam Kolker (tenor sax, soprano sax), Ugonna Okegwo (bass), Billy Hart (drums), Duduka DaFonseca (percussion)
2000 East and West Maxjazz With Terell Stafford (trumpet, flugelhorn), Steve Wilson (alto sax, soprano sax, clarinet), Sam Newsome (soprano sax), Adam Kolker (tenor sax, bass clarinet), Ugonna Okegwo (bass), Al Foster (drums)
2000 American Landscape Satchmo Jazz Solo piano
2002 Live at the Village Vanguard Maxjazz Trio, with Ugonna Okegwo (bass), Al Foster (drums); in concert
2007* Live at Maxjazz Cafe del Teatre Quadrant With Montez Coleman (drums); DVD
2010* Home We Always Swing With Steve Wilson (alto sax, soprano sax); in concert
2010 Live at Smalls Smalls Live Trio, with Vicente Archer (bass), Rudy Royston (drums); in concert
2012 Three Things of Beauty Savant Most tracks quartet, with Steve Nelson (vibraphone), Ben Street (bass), Dana Hall (drums); one track duo, with Nelson (vibraphone)
2014* Daybreak Savant With Terell Stafford (trumpet), Steve Nelson (vibraphone), Vicente Archer (bass), Montez Coleman (drums)

As sideman

Year recorded Leader Title Label
1992 Randy Johnston Jubilation Muse
1995 Steve Wilson Four for Time Criss Cross
1998 Andy Statman The Hidden Light Sony
2011 Terell Stafford This Side of Strayhorn Maxjazz

References

  1. ^ a b c "Biography: Bruce Barth". AllMusic. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e Kennedy, Gary W. (2003). "Barth, Bruce (David)". Grove Music Online (8th ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  3. ^ Dryden, Ken. "In Focus: Bruce Barth / Bruce Barth Quintet". AllMusic. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  4. ^ Dryden, Ken. "Morning Call: Bruce Barth Quintet". AllMusic. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  5. ^ Ngozinri, Monique (March 2022). "Carla Cook". The New York City Jazz Record. No. 239. p. 23.