No one sounds quite like Barth. His solos are characterized by robust swing, his ability to tell a story, and by his rich, beguiling sound.
A pivotal member of New York's Jazz scene for 40 years, pianist Bruce Barth's inspired vision and generous accompaniment has always led to rich musical collaborations, none more so than with his working trio of many years with bassist Vicente Archer and drummer Montez Coleman. Their collective voice found its perfect setting, which makes the release of Dedication a profound and emotion-filled moment, as Montez passed away 5 months after the recording session at the age of 48. Celebrating the joy and camaraderie Montez brought to their work, the thread of relationships, inspiration, guidance and gratefulness that imbued the recording revealed itself, leading Barth to present the music as a display of mindfulness of those gifts. Dedication is for the ones who give, and is filled with life, dance and swing.
1 George's Dance 4:00 for George Perry
2 Courage 5:27 for all of us
3 In Memoriam 3:53 for George Floyd & so many others
4 Let's Go 7:29 for McCoy Tyner
5 Better Days 5:38
6 Golden Glow 5:39
7 That's How It Sometimes Goes 6:17 for Tommy Flanagan
8 Softly, in a Garden Path 5:34
All music by Bruce Barth (SESAC)
Bruce Barth - piano
Vicente Archer - bass
Montez Coleman - drums
Produced by Wayne Windborne & Bruce Barth
Recorded by Aaron Nevezie
at Bunker Studios, Brooklyn, NY
August 9, 2021
Mixed & mastered by Katsuhiko Naito
Cover painting: "Still Music, Softly" by Dan Gottsegen
Photo by Antonio Porcar, July 2018
Cover design & layout by John Bishop
Take Effect (Tom Haugen)
An important piece of the New York jazz scene for 4 decades now, Bruce Barth brings his inimitable piano skills to these 7 well thought out and rich pieces that welcome Vincente Archer (bass) and Montez Coleman (drums).
"George's Party (For George Perry)" opens the listen with a bouncy and frisky display of warm keys, swift drumming and fluid ba ...
Jazz Weekly (George W Harris)
So, what, or who, is the soulful pianist Bruce Barth dedicating this trio album to? In the liner notes, Barth mentions the memory of a dear friend Montez Coleman, but truth be told, with bassist Vincente Archer and drummer Montez Coleman, the sounds and styles are dedicated to a collection of inspirations.
Starting off is an upbeat tilt of the ...
WRTI/WBGO Fall Jazz Preview 2022 (Josh Jackson)
Bruce Barth, who teaches at Temple University, is himself an earnest and dedicated student of the music. The pianist's understated manner has kept him a secret in plain view for decades. Look no further than Dedication, a collection of original material shaped for his trio with bassist Vicente Archer and drummer Montez Coleman, whose recent, untime ...
The New York City Jazz Record (Ken Dryden)
Californian Bruce Barth has been part of the New York jazz scene since 1988. His trio for his 17th album has two frequent collaborators, bassist Vicente Archer and the late drummer Montez Coleman, who died at just 48 of congestive heart failure in January. The chemistry is apparent, every track having the feeling of a first take.
Barth is an exc ...
Dusted Magazine (Jim Marks)
Jazz pianist Bruce Barth has an impeccable pedigree, having played with some of the greats of previous generations, including Stanley Turrentine, as well as leading his own groups over the past 30 or more years. His latest, a trio offering with longtime collaborators bassist Vicente Archer and drummer Montez Coleman, delivers exactly what one would ...