Bruce Katz Band Back In Boston Live

July 17, 2024

Bruce Katz Band

Back In Boston Live

Dancing Rooster Records

As a child Bruce Katz studied classical piano. He later studied jazz piano and Hammond organ at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Katz’ first professional gig was playing bass guitar for Big Mama Thornton. He also played for Barrence Whitfield and The Savages, and Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters, before forming his own band in 1997. While still maintaining his own touring schedule Katz was a member of several other bands. From 2007 to 2013 he was a regular member of Gregg Allman and Friends. Katz played with Delbert McClinton from 2011 to 2014. He was also a member of Butch Trucks and The Freight Train Band and Les Brers. Katz appears on over seventy other albums including five from the Mighty Sam McClain. In 2014 Katz signed with American Showplace Music and released his “Homecoming” album. As a direct result Katz was nominated for a 2015 Blues Music Award as Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of The Year; his fourth nomination in that category. In 2016 he released “Out from the Center” and it reached #1 on the Roots Music Report Radio Chart. Katz released a solo album in 2019 called “Solo Ride” and later that year won his first BMA.

“Back In Boston Live” was recorded at The Fallout Shelter in Norwood, Massachusetts on March 1st and 2nd, 2024. The album was produced by Katz and Legare Robertson, and co-produced by Connor Quigley. The album contains nine originals and two covers. Frank-John Hadley of Downbeat Magazine says Katz has stellar technique and supernova-like imagination. The lead off track is the first of many instrumentals.

The first cover is “Blues Before Sunrise” written by Leroy Carr. Katz is on piano, Jesse Williams on bass, and Liviu Pop on drums; Aaron Lieberman sings “I’ve got blues before sunrise, tears in my eyes” before Liviu takes a drum solo. The other cover is a nine minute instrumental written by Dickey Betts of The Allman Brothers; Betts once said “Katz can play jazz, blues, Bach, anything. Man, he’s heavy”.

“Well I admit it ‘I Don’t Feel So Good Today’ follows. On “Get Your Groove”, a New Orleans styled instrumental, Katz absolutely shines on piano. “Gary’s Jam is mostly instrumental with Katz on the Hammond B-3, before Lieberman sings “come on baby, turn your lovelight on, let it shine, shine, shine”. “Dreams of Yesterday” is an instrumental with Katz back on piano and Lieberman playing slide guitar.

On “Take The Green Line” Katz switches back to the B-3 on another instrumental. Three more instrumentals complete this fabulous album, BK’s Broiler features Katz’ organ and Jesse Williams on bass. Chuck Leavell says “Katz has a groove as deep as the Grand Canyon and as wide as the Amazon”. “Just An Expression” follows with Liviu on drums. While the closer features Katz on piano for a short tribute to Ray Charles.

Katz’ eclecticism makes him a treasure. Katz has created another Masterpiece as “Back In Boston Live” clearly establishes the Bruce Katz Band as one of the most original and exciting groups on the scene today.

Richard Ludmerer
Contributing Editor/Making A Scene

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