GARY BARTZ


Saxophonist Gary attended the Juilliard Conservatory of Music and became a member of Charles Mingus' Jazz Workshop from 1962-1964 where he worked with Eric Dolphy and was recognized by McCoy Tyner. Gary began gigging as a sideman in the mid-'60s with Abbey Lincoln and Max Roach, and later as a member of Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers. (See the video on the NOT SO EASY CD-ROM “You Go To My Head” for additional information on Gary’s tenure with the Jazz Messengers) His recording debut was on Blakey's Soul Finger album.

Tyner formed his famed Expansions band in 1968 with Bartz on alto. Additionally, in the same year Gary formed his own band and recorded a trio of albums for Milestone while continuing to tour with Max Roach. In 1970, Miles Davis hired Bartz and featured him as a soloist on his Live-Evil recording.

Gary has become one of the finest alto players of his generation.