For those not in the know, Bruce Gertz has enjoyed a very busy career as a bassist, composer, bandleader (heading over 20 albums), and an educator.

Indeed, Bruce has quite a resume. He has been the Professor of Bass at Berklee since 1976, has written six books, and is a contributing editor to Bass World Magazine. As a performer he has worked with such classic greats as Count Basie, Cab Calloway, Dave Brubeck, Gary Burton, John Abercrombie, Joey Calderazzo, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Bill Frisell, Gil Evans, and Danilo Perez among many others, in addition to leading his own groups.

His latest recording, Octopus Dreams, features his music being performed by an impressive quintet also including trumpeter-flugelhornist Phil Grenadier, tenor-saxophonist Rick DiMuzio, pianist Gison Schachnik, and drummer Gary Fieldman.

1. Powerwalk
2. Octopus Dreams
3. Sea Worthy
4. Mr. Z
5. I’m Busy
6. Redacted
7. Opening

A man who can always be relied upon to uplift the music no matter what the style, his solos consistently thoughtful and full of subtle surprises, this new recording opens on the low slung finger snapper Power Walk and then we get the all-embracing melodies that make up the titular Octopus Dreams, the playfully flirty Sea Worthy, the emboldened Mr. Z, and the subtly swinging I’m Busy, the set rounding out on the smoothly rounded Redacted, closing on the quietly strident fare of Opening.

PLAYERS, INSTRUMENT:
Bruce Gertz – Composer/Bass
Phil Grenadier – Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Rick DiMuzio – Tenor Saxophone
Gison Schachnik – Piano
Gary Fieldman – Drums

www.brucegertz.com