Bruce Katz – 11/14

Bruce Katz is a legendary keyboardist (Hammond B3 and piano) who has released 12 albums as a leader and 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 others.

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

Bruce is a seven-time nominee (2008, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2019, 2020, 2021) 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 his collaboration with Joe Louis Walker and Giles Robson, Journeys to the Heart of the Blues, 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.

Teaching and background:
- Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music for fourteen years (1996–2010), teaching harmony, Hammond organ labs, blues history, and private piano instruction.
- Began playing piano at age 5 with a background in classical piano; taught himself blues and early jazz after hearing a Bessie Smith record at age 10.
- Attended Berklee College of Music in the mid-1970s (Composition and Performance).
- Later earned a Master’s degree in Jazz Performance from the New England Conservatory of Music; studied with Geri Allen, Paul Bley, Cecil McBee, and George Russell.

Career highlights:
- Played with Big Mama Thornton on East Coast tours in the early 1980s.
- Toured extensively with Barrence Whitfield and the Savages in the late ’80s.
- Joined Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters in 1992; toured the world and performed on six albums, co-writing tunes like “The Colour of Love,” “Ice Cream Man,” and “Hippology.” The album Grateful Heart won the Downbeat Critics Poll for Best Blues Album of 1996.
- Debuted his first solo album, Crescent Crawl, in 1992 (AudioQuest), followed by Transformation (1993) and Mississippi Moan (1997). He then focused on 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.

Other work:
- His albums have charted on national and international radio play lists and received extensive coverage in blues and jazz publications.
- Teaches piano, Hammond organ, and theory privately from his studio in West Shokan, NY, and offers long-distance lessons by Skype.
- Conducts master classes in blues/jazz piano style and history, Hammond B3, and blues history at schools, universities, and music festivals worldwide.

Residence: formerly from Boston; based in Woodstock, NY since 2005.

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

Ticket 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” — a ticket admits two people.
- A limited number of single seats are available; single attendees may share 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. 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:
- Artist 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
- Tickets (Eventbrite): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bruce-katz-at-the-443-social-club-tickets-1992374031361?aff=oddtdtcreator
- Video: https://youtu.be/RfIIphmNAIM?si=aQjPbdjMpaVcDY0o