Bass CDs
Bruce Gertz – Singularity and Blue Cube CD Reviews
Listening to bassist/composer Bruce Gertz is one life’s simple pleasures without a doubt!
So, I was honored to check out his recent pair of releases:
Singularity – featuring Bruce’s incomparably well played solo acoustic contrabass, and Blue Cube – a quartet outing featuring saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi, pianist Tim Ray, and drummer George Schuller (who is also the son of conductor and music educator Gunther Schuller).
The Heart Of A Champion is an inspirational piece that calls the listener into the accountability of perseverance. This is the “best” played tune from Blue Cube, and Bruce lays in a jaw dropping solo! The interplay between these four great musicians is absolutely first rate! So Lie is a play on Mal Waldron’s Soul Eyes and the composition is a political statement about our current National state of affairs. Nicely done, Bruce! Finally, Trajectory is a brilliant and, at times, dark waltz that is served well by the quartet’s makeup. Throughout Blue Cube, Bruce’s tone, musicality and ability is stunning, and as the composer of seven of the eight beautiful tunes on this release, his heart, soul, and passion are truly heard. This group needs to be seen as well as heard, and Blue Cube is one of the most well presented collection of music I have heard in a long time!
Must Hear Tunes: Blue Cube, A Conversation We Had, Aperture
The world of jazz could well use more of his wit, warmth, wisdom, and forward thinking! Although each tune presents well stated (and, again, very well played!) ideas, my favorite tune is Slinky! In short, there is something so close to who Bruce is in this composition that the singing of this song lightly touched my soul! I like it! Every bassist should own, and breathe Singularity.
Must Hear Tunes: Singularity, Slinky, Clear Night
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