West 42nd Street (CCD 79049)Candid Recording(s):
Biography:
Grammy Award winning jazz saxophonist Gary Bartz first came to New York in 1958 to attend the Julliard Conservatory of Music. Just 17 years old, Gary couldn't wait to come to the city to play and learn.
"It was a very good time for the music in New York, at the end of what had been the be-bop era," says Bartz. "Charlie Parker had passed away three years previously but Miles' group was in its heyday, Monk was down at the Five Spot, and Ornette Coleman was just coming to town. Things were fresh." Back then, Gary could regularly be found drinking Cokes in the all ages "peanut gallery" of Birdland, enjoying a marathon bill of performers. "If I didn't have money to get in. I'd help somebody carry a drum and sneak in," laughs Bartz. "I learned that early on."
Circa mid-'60s, the alto saxophonist - still in his early 20s - began performing throughout the city with the Max Roach/Abbey Lincoln Group and quickly established himself as the most promising alto voice since Cannonball Adderley.
With the splash of his New York debut solidly behind him, Bartz soon joined Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and in 1965, he made his recording debut on Blakey's Soulfinger album. From 1962-64, Gary joined Charles Mingus' Workshop and began practicing regularly with fellow members of the horn section, including Eric Dolphy. In 1968, Bartz began an association with McCoy Tyner, with whom he still performs and records with to this day.
During his first two years with Tyner, Gary was also touring with Max Roach then in 1970, Bartz received a call from Miles Davis. Work with the legendary horn player marked Gary's first experience playing electric music.
In addition to working with Miles in the early '70s - including playing the historic Isle of Wight Festival in August, 1970 - Bartz was busy fronting his own NTU Troop ensemble. The group got its name from the Bantu language: NTU means unity in all things, time and space, living and dead, seen and unseen.
Outside the Troop, Bartz had been recording as a group leader since 1968, and continued to do so throughout the '70s. Later that decade, he was doing studio work in Los Angeles and in 1988, after a nine-year break between solo releases, Bartz began recording, what music columnist Gene Kalbacher described as "vital ear-opening sides." Such albums as Monsoon, Shadows and two albums on Candid: West 42nd Street, and There Goes The Neighborhood.
With over 30 recordings as a leader (as well as more than 100 recordings as a guest artist with others), Gary Bartz has taken his rightful place in the pantheon of jazz greats.