Gary Bartz remains eternally vibrant at 83…
Gary Bartz & NTU – The Eternal Tenure of Sound – Damage Control – OYO Records – CD – 51:34 – *****
(Gary Bartz- Alto Saxophone, vocals – Barney McCall – piano, celeste, synthesizer, keyboards, Clavinet, percussion, vocals ; complete credits below)
For his first studio album in twelve years, jazz alto saxophonist Gary Bartz has gone “all-in,” both musically, and with his own financial backing. In 2023, he took a sabbatical from his teaching position at Oberlin Conservatory, and cashed in his 401K to pay for his musical vision and the results are pure joy.
With a discography going back to the 1960s, and at least 45 albums as a leader, and a career going back to joining Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, his new CD, “Eternal Tenure of Sound: Damage Control,” released September 26, Gary helps fulfill a dream of recording soul classics into a musical melange that is deeply healing, meditative, and swings like mad. He worked with his godson, Om’Mas Keith, at his North Hollywood home studio, working seemingly around the clock. Bartz used his main backing trio of pianist, Barney McCall and drummer, Kassa Overall, and added 17 other musicians, and vocalists, all much younger. This release will be the first of a planned trilogy.
The blend of jazz, soul, and R&B is down right intoxicating. Whether its Curtis Mayfield’s “The Making of You,” DeBarge’s “Love Me in Special Way,” or Midnight Star’s dance tune “Slow Jam,” Gary makes them his own.
He sings throughout, and the group’s background vocals just sweeten the pot.
Influences from Charlie Parker to John Coltrane pop up. Bartz includes a tribute to McCoy Tyner, on “In Search of My Heart/Love Surrounds Us Everywhere.” The constant is a feeling of pure bliss. Bartz states, “It’s my ballads album.” When you hear the soulful melody on Earth Wind and Fire’s “Fantasy,” it’s a mood inducer that brings contentment, a needed salve to heal the most hardened heart.
Musicians dropped into the studio to work with the master, even if it was just one track. Throughout the liner notes of Lauren Du Graf, there is mention of the incredible energy of the now 84 year old jazz icon (release date is his 84th birthday!).
Awarded the NEA Jazz Master Award last year, this new release is a fitting tribute to an artist that bridges musical genres. We should eagerly await the next two issues of this trilogy. (I had the privilege of seeing Gary this summer in Oregon, previewing some of these tracks. I am so glad that others can now soak up some of his magic…)
—Jeff Krow
The Eternal Tenure of Sound
Tracklist:
Fantasy
One Hundred Ways
In Search of My Heart/Love Surrounds Us
The Makings of You
You Bring Me Joy
You Are My Starship
Slow Jam
If Only You Knew
Biggest Part of Me
Love Me In a Special Way
Performing Artists
Gary Bartz- Alto Saxophone, vocals – Barney McCall – piano, celeste, synthesizer, keyboards, Clavinet, percussion, vocals ;- Tarron Clayton – bass; – Kassa Overall – drums & percussion; – Om’Mas Keith – drums, percussion, congas, claps; –
Sam Anning – acoustic bass (#1) , electric guitar (#1); –
Brandee Younger – harp (#1, 2, 4, 6; –
Elias McCall – nylon string guitar (#1); –
Theo Croker – trumpet (#1, 3, 9); –
Miles Kahlil – tenor sax (#1, 3);
Rita Satch – background and lead vocals;
Juewett Bostick – guitar (#2, 4);
Spaceman Patterson – guitar (# 2 , 4, 8; –
Kamasi Washington – tenor sax (#3);
Terrance Martin – alto sax (#3);
Nile Rodgers – guitar (#3);
Dominique Sanders – bass (#3, 4);
Cory Henry – organ (#3);
Daniel Merriweather – lead and background vocals (#5, 6, 10);
Shelly FKA Dram – vocals (#7)
