Gary Bartz stands as a venerated figure within the jazz world, his career bridging the gap from bop to soul-jazz, and exploring the fringes of free jazz along with the rhythms of funk and rhythms of Africa. Born on September 26, 1940, in Baltimore, Maryland, he developed an early passion for music largely influenced by his father, who was also a musician. Bartz's professional journey skyrocketed after attending the Juilliard School of Music, when he started playing with some of the most prominent figures of the time, including Charles Mingus, Max Roach, and Art Blakey.

In the late 1960s, Bartz's own voice began to emerge with the formation of his band, the Ntu Troop. Throughout his illustrious career, Bartz has skilfully blended jazz with social consciousness and a spiritual dimension, as seen in works like "Harlem Bush Music" (1970). His sound, characterized by his distinctive alto saxophone and his embrace of different genres, has continued to evolve over the decades, never settling into complacency. Gary Bartz has been part of seminal collaborations, such as those with McCoy Tyner and Miles Davis, and he has continued to create innovative music well into the 21st century, as evidenced by his releases "Gary Bartz JID006" and the "JAZZ IS DEAD" series collaboration. Acknowledged not just for his musicianship, Bartz has also been an educator, sharing his knowledge with younger generations of musicians, ensuring that his legacy will resonate beyond the notes of his saxophone.

Genres

Jazz Funk

Jazz Saxophone

Soul Jazz

Related Artists

Herbie Hancock

Terence Blanchard

Wayne Shorter

McCoy Tyner

Donald Byrd

Pharoah Sanders

Kamasi Washington

Roy Ayers

Joe Henderson

Freddie Hubbard

Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah

Charles Lloyd

Latest Release

Ju Ju Man

Gary Bartz

Ep - 5 Tracks - Released August 23, 2024