“Music is my religion. Music is the only thing that has never failed me. People let you down, music won’t.”
– Gary Bartz
Gary Bartz is a very fine American alto and soprano saxophonist and clarinetist. I have about 20 of his records (he has about 40 in his own name). Gary has played with Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, Max Roach, McCoy Tyner etc. His group, the “Ntu Troop” combined soul, funk, African music, hard bop, and avant-garde jazz.
I start by presenting examples of Gary’s music-making over the years. Further down the page, I have put together some interviews with Gary Bartz that I really recommend you take the time to watch at. Gary is an incredibly generous, knowledgeable and wise man who shares his thoughts with those who wish to learn from his experiences.
Max Roach “Absolutions” from his album “members, don’t git weary.” (1968)
Musicians; Max Roach (drums), Gary Bartz (alto sax), Charles Tolliver (trumpet), Jymie Merritt (bass), Stanley Cowell (piano)
Miles Davis Group live in Berlin (1971)
Musicians; Miles Davis ( tr), Gary Bartz (ss, as), Keith Jarrett ( ep, org), Michael Henderson (b), Leon Chancler (dr), Don Alias (perc), James Mtume (perc)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBMlie0ye5E
Set list:
0:00 Directions
1:51 Honky Tonk
14:00 hard to say – arguably Funk, What I Say, or Directions
19:20 What I Say
28:16 Funk (aka Agharta Prelude)
36:32 Jarrett improvising
43:20 Funky Tonk
Gary Bartz meets Keith Jarrett (1971)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3uQUuQvQ1A
“Uhuru Sasa” by Gary Bartz (from the album “Harlem Bush Music” 1971)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAudU99Qeuw
“Celestial Blues” by Gary Bartz (from the album “Harlem Bush Music” 1971)
Gary Bartz NTU “The Sounding Song” from the album “Singerella: A Ghetto Fairy Tale” (1974)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhC7fW4kIRg
Gary Bartz – “Chelsea Bridge” (from the album Ju Ju Man, 1976)
Gary Bartz – “Swing Thing” (from the album “Music Is My Sanctuary”. 1977)
Gary Bartz - “Giant Steps” (from the album “Love Affair”, 1978)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk3_t04ZmtE
Gary Bartz – “On a Misty Night” from the album “There goes the neighborhood” (1990)
Musicians; Gary Bartz Sax (as), Kenny Barron (p), Ray Drummond (b), Ben Riley (dr)
Kenny Barron & Gary Bartz Quartet – Gary Bartz (as), Kenny Barron (p), Ray Drummond (b), Ben Riley (dr) live in Germany (March 1997) Part 1 of 2
Kenny Barron & Gary Bartz Quartet – Gary Bartz (sax), Kenny Barron (p), Ray Drummond (b), Ben Riley (dr) live in Germany (March 1997) Part 2 of 2
McCoy Tyner Trio feat. Gary Bartz – “Ballad for Aisha / Blues on the Corner” (2007)
Musicians; McCoy Tyner (p), Gary Bartz (as), Gerald L. Cannon (b), Eric Kamau Gravatt (dr)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zRRKUG3VkQ
McCoy Tyner Trio feat. Gary Bartz & Bill Frisell – “Moments Notice” (2009)
Musicians; McCoy Tyner (p), Gary Bartz (as), Gerald L. Cannon (b), Eric Kamau Gravatt (dr), Bill Frisell (g)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sX59lDQBM9A
Gary Bartz – “Coltrane Rules – Tao of a Musical Warrior” (2012)
Gary speaks about his latest album that is very good!
Below I have put together some interviews with Gary Bartz that I highly recommend you to go through. Gary is a musician with a deep soul and very wise thoughts about music and life. What Gary says is incredibly pithy and true, and give good answers to big questions.
Gary Bartz – Does jazz education have It backwards? (2011)
Gary Bartz offers some potent thoughts on the state of Jazz Education today. Please listen to Gary, he is very wise!
Music Advice from Gary Bartz (October 2012)
Gary Bartz Discusses the Importance of the Melody
Gary Bartz Discusses Egos and Music (October 2012)
Vocalist Michael Mwenso sits down with Gary Bartz to discuss Gary’s career and music (November 2012)