Bruce Katz – 11/14

Bruce Katz is a legendary keyboardist (Hammond B3 and piano) who has released 12 albums as a leader and has appeared on over 75 other CDs with the likes of John Hammond, Delbert McClinton, Ronnie Earl, Little Milton, Butch Trucks, Duke Robillard, David “Fathead” Newman, and many, many others.

He has a strong musical connection with the Allman Brothers Band, and was a member of Gregg Allman’s band for six years (2007–2013). He was also in Jamoe’s Jasssz Band (2010–2015), Butch Trucks’ Freight Train Band and Les Brers (2015–2017), and occasionally toured with the Allman Brothers.

Katz is a seven-time (2008, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2019, 2020, 2021) nominee for the Blues Music Award (W.C. Handy Award) for “Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year.” He won the BMA for Acoustic Blues Album of the Year in 2019 for Journeys to the Heart of the Blues (with Joe Louis Walker and Giles Robson) and was nominated again in 2020 for the same award for his acoustic piano album Solo Ride. He was also nominated for “Outstanding Musician (Keyboards)” by Living Blues Magazine in 2015 and 2019.

He combines Blues and American Roots music with elements of jazz and improvisational rock to create a signature sound.

Background and highlights:
- Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music for fourteen years (1996–2010), teaching Harmony, Hammond organ labs, Blues History and private piano instruction.
- Began piano at age 5, with a classical background; taught himself blues and early jazz after hearing Bessie Smith at age 10. Attended Berklee College of Music in the mid-1970s (Composition and Performance).
- Performed widely in New England and on the road; played with Big Mama Thornton on East Coast tours in the early 1980s.
- After touring with Barrence Whitfield and the Savages in the late ’80s, enrolled at the New England Conservatory and earned a Master’s in Jazz Performance. Conceived the Bruce Katz Band while at NEC.
- In 1992 Katz joined Ronnie Earl’s band, The Broadcasters, touring the world and performing on six albums; wrote/co-wrote tunes such as “The Colour of Love,” “Ice Cream Man,” and “Hippology.” The album Grateful Heart (Bullseye) won the Downbeat Critics Poll for Best Blues Album of 1996.
- Solo albums include Crescent Crawl (1992), Transformation (1993), and Mississippi Moan (1997). Katz left the Broadcasters to focus on his solo career and the Bruce Katz Band, which has toured the U.S. and Europe.
- Has played with Duke Robillard (2001–02), John Hammond (2005–present), Gregg Allman (2007–13), Delbert McClinton (2011–2014), and many other roots, blues, and rock performers.

Teaching and location:
- Katz teaches piano, Hammond organ and theory privately at his studio in West Shokan, NY, and offers long-distance Skype lessons. He also conducts master classes in Blues/Jazz piano style and history, Hammond B3 and Blues History at schools, universities and festivals worldwide.
- Based in Woodstock, NY since 2005.

Event details:
- Date: November 14
- Doors: 5:30 PM
- Show: 7:00–9:00 PM
- Venue: The 443 Social Club & Lounge, 443 Burnet Ave, Syracuse, NY 13203

Ticket & seating information:
- The 443 is an intimate listening room with table service that seats 75 people.
- The green squares/circles on the floor plan are bar-height tables; the orange squares are regular-height tables.
- Most seats are sold as "Tables for Two" — the ticket admits TWO people.
- Limited single seats are available; single attendees may be sharing a table with other single attendees.
- Multiple tickets purchased under the same name will automatically be seated together (up to 6 people).
- Requesting a specific table is a perk reserved for VIP Patron members; membership information is available from the venue.
- If anyone in your party needs special seating arrangements (walker, cane, service animal, wheelchair, low table requirement, or you want to be seated with another party), please email the venue after you place your order.

Links:
- Tickets (Eventbrite): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bruce-katz-at-the-443-social-club-tickets-1992374031361?aff=oddtdtcreator
- Website: https://www.brucekatzband.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brucekatzmusic/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brucekatzband/
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7cvmkkkAA2mTfwhhMSfrEi?si=lYTkR4R2RV6tTOWjDImxeg
- Video: https://youtu.be/RfIIphmNAIM?si=aQjPbdjMpaVcDY0o