Bruce Gertz

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Bruce David Gertz (born December 15, 1952 in Providence ) is an American modern jazz bassist . As a university lecturer, he trained numerous bassists, such as Victor Bailey , Kai Eckhardt , Skúli Sverrisson , Peter Herbert , Matt Garrison and Jaromír Honzák .

Live and act

Gertz grew up in a musical family in Cranston . He started playing guitar when he was ten; at the age of fourteen he switched to the bass guitar and later devoted himself more to the double bass . At first he played rock music and blues , later he discovered jazz . After high school and New England College , he attended Berklee College of Music from 1972 to 1976 , where he studied with John LaPorta , Herb Pomeroy , Gary Burton , Michael Gibbs , William Curtis, and John Neves.

In 1975 he began teaching himself at Berklee, where he has held a professorship since 1976 . He also played with his own group, ConBrio , Mike Stern and George Garzone , but also went on tour with Billy Eckstine , Maynard Ferguson , Marlena Shaw , Gary Burton , Dave Brubeck and Jerry Bergonzi . He also recorded 16 piece with Mick Goodrick , Miles Donahue , Caught in the Act and Greg Hopkins and played instructional videos. He has also performed with musicians such as Gil Evans , Danilo Pérez , Donald Byrd , Diane Schuur , Tom Harrell , Joe Lovano , Bill Frisell , Lee Konitz , Oliver Lake , Kenny Werner and Eric Kloss .

Prizes and awards

Gertz was honored four times between 1987 and 1992 as an outstanding bass player with the Boston Music Award . His albums Blueprint , Third Eye and Discovery Zone were nominated for Outstanding Jazz . The composition Blueprint won third prize at the 1992 Billboard Song Contest .

Discographic notes

Book publications

  • Mastering the bass. Book 1 (Mel Bay Publications)
  • Walkin (Bruce Gertz Music)
  • 22 Contemporary Melodic Studies for Electric Bass Vol. 1 (Bruce Gertz Music)
  • Let's Play Rhythm (Advance Music)

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Gertz, Bruce
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Gertz, Bruce David (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American jazz musician
DATE OF BIRTH December 15, 1952
PLACE OF BIRTH Providence