GARY BARTZ *live

In the organizer's words:

Gary Bartz: Music Legacy in Motion.

Born and raised in Baltimore, NEA Jazz Master Gary Bartz is a titan of modern jazz dedicated to honoring and promoting black American musical heritage. In a career spanning over six decades, Bartz has redefined the boundaries of jazz improvisation with his masterful use of the alto saxophone and his concept of "informal composition".

Bartz first came to prominence in the 1960s when he performed alongside legendary figures such as Max Roach, Charles Mingus, Art Blakey and Miles Davis. His work with Davis included the legendary Live Evil sessions, which made him a dynamic force in the jazz fusion movement. As a bandleader, Bartz has released over 45 albums, including the groundbreaking Harlem Bush Music, which combines Afrocentric themes with avant-garde expression.

In 2025, Bartz will unveil his first solo recordings since 2011 - a highly anticipated double project produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Om'Mas Keith (Frank Ocean, John Legend).

An artist unafraid to evolve, Bartz continues to shape the future of jazz. Recent collaborations with Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Adrian Younge for their acclaimed Jazz Is Dead series and performances with jazz-funk collective Maisha have brought his art to new audiences around the world.

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