Bruce Barth is a reformed Californian, who started his study of (classical) piano at the age of five. An early move to New York introduced him to jazz. He studied at the New England Conservatory with the great pianists Jacki Bayard and Fred Hersch (JazzNights 5). He's played with many wonderful groups, notably Nat Adderley, Terrence Blanchard, and the Mingus Big Band, and made his early recordings with George Russell, among the most forward-looking of all jazz composers (Cubana Be, Cubana Bop, for example, just unbelievable for its time). If you saw Spike Lee's "Malcolm X" you saw and heard Mr. Barth. He's been back in New York since 1988, and active there and all over the world in solo, trio, and small group settings. He plays in all the best places, The Village Vanguard, The Kennedy Center, The Jazz Standard...and JazzNights! Mr. Barth was first here in 2005 (JazzNights 12) with bassist Vicente Archer. This year he returns with his current working trip, bassist Chris Lightcap and drummer Rudy Royston.

 

"Pianist Barth digs deep to his true soul in the keyboard language....self-assured and full of ideas."

 

Downbeat

 

One of the signs of an excellent piano player is how he or she works with singers. Mr. Barth is exemplary in that regard, never upstaging, but always there helping, pulling his weight, and coming to the front when appropriate. Among others, he's worked with Carla Cook, Dominique Eade, Luciana Souza, Rene Marie (JazzNights 7), Vanessa Rubin, and Karrin Allyson - quite a group! He spent much of last year on the road with Tony Bennett. The instrumental company he keeps these days is also impressive. He has played on more than ninety CD's, including nine as a leader. His most recent trio release is Live At the Village Vanguard on MAXJAZZ, and his first DVD, Live in Spain, was just released. On his own, he is invariably thoughtful, inventive, and lyrical and always swinging like mad. Like many of today's best pianists - Mulgrew Miller (JazzNights 3 and 6) is one - it seems that his live work outshines the studio material. The four tracks he sent from a solo concert in Spain last year are just great, for example. His recent CD, "Live at the Village Vanguard" is as good an example of the piano trio at work as you will hear in February - it is just superb. On the other hand, I also like "American Landscape," which is a studio effort. Maybe I just like his recent work best! Either way, we can all hear him live and now, in the moment, February 8th.

 

"Bruce is a great musician, a force to be reckoned with. He can be very percussive and energetic or play with the subtleties of a Hank Jones or Herbie Hancock."

 

Terence Blanchard

 

Chris Lightcap was born and raised as he puts it, "in the great beer and steel town of Latrobe, Pennsylvania," He started out on the piano at age eight, switched to violin at nine and began to teach himself the electric bass at fourteen. He later studied with jazz bassists Cameron Brown and the late master Milt Hinton. Upon graduating from Williams College with the school's Hutchinson arts grant he moved to New York City and is currently one of the most active young bassists on both the mainstream and more avant scenes. Among those he frequently plays with are Mark Turner (JazzNights 24), Marc Ribot, and Regina Carter.

 

Rudy Royston has only been in New York a short time, but he has already had an impact, including an appearance last Fall with George Colligan at JazzNights 28. He plays regularly with very good people such as Bill Frisell, Jenny Scheinman, and, of course, Bruce Barth and George Colligan.

 

 

Some CD recommendations:

 

Barth:

 

"Morning Call" ENJA 8084-2, with Steve Wilson (saxophones), Scott Wendtholt (tp), Larry Grenadier (b), Leon Parker (d)

 

"Don't Blame Me," Doubletime DTRCD-129, with Ed Howard (b), Billy Drummond (d)

 

"American Landscape," Satchmo Jazz, SJC 00040J, solo piano

 

"Live at the Village Vanguard," MAXJAZZ, MXJ 205, with Ugonna Okegwo (b), Al Foster (d)

 

with Steve Wilson, "Passages" Stretch 9025, with Barth, Ed Howard (b), Adam Cruz (d), Nicholas Payton (Tp, Flh)

 

Lightcap:

 

Lay-up Fresh Sound FSNT 074, 2000

 

Bigmouth, Fresh Sound FSNT 148, 2003

 

With Regia Carter, "Pagannini: After a Dream" Verve/Universal, 044006555423