GARY BARTZ, ALI SHAHEED MUHAMMAD & ADRIAN YOUNGE

Biography

Gary Bartz is an acclaimed alto saxophonist whose career spans over six decades, marked by a deep commitment to jazz innovation and social consciousness. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, to nightclub-owning parents, Bartz was exposed to jazz legends from an early age and was inspired by the sound of Charlie Parker at just six years old. He began playing alto saxophone at age 11 and later attended the Juilliard School in New York City. Bartz quickly established himself as a leading figure in jazz, performing with icons such as Max Roach, Charles Mingus, Art Blakey, and Miles Davis. His work with the Ntu Troop in the 1970s fused hard bop with soul and political themes, reflecting his belief that music should speak to freedom and social justice.

Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad are contemporary producers and musicians known for their work in hip hop and jazz fusion. Younge, a multi-instrumentalist and composer, and Muhammad, a founding member of A Tribe Called Quest, have collaborated extensively since the 2010s, notably producing the soundtrack for the Marvel series Luke Cage and launching the Jazz Is Dead series in 2020. Their collaboration with Gary Bartz on the album JID006 exemplifies their mission to bridge generations of jazz musicians, providing legendary artists with the resources to create new music while introducing them to younger audiences. The trio’s work blends classic jazz with psychedelic and funk elements, resulting in a sound that is both timeless and contemporary.

Fun Facts

• Gary Bartz founded the Ntu Troop in the 1970s, a band that fused hard bop with soul and political themes.
• Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad launched the Jazz Is Dead series in 2020, aiming to introduce legendary jazz musicians to younger audiences.
• Gary Bartz’s album 'JID006' with Younge and Muhammad blends classic jazz with psychedelic and funk elements, creating a sound that is both timeless and contemporary.
• Ali Shaheed Muhammad was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2024 as a member of A Tribe Called Quest.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Charlie Parker - early inspiration and stylistic influence (recordings and performances) [1950s]
• Max Roach - early mentor and collaborator (Max Roach/Abbey Lincoln group)
• Charles Mingus - mentor and collaborator (Charles Mingus Jazz Workshop) [1962-1964]
• Art Blakey - mentor and collaborator (Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers)

Key Collaborators

• Adrian Younge - producer and collaborator on Jazz Is Dead series (Jazz Is Dead 6 (JID006))
• Ali Shaheed Muhammad - producer and collaborator on Jazz Is Dead series (Jazz Is Dead 6 (JID006))
• Abbey Lincoln - collaborator (Max Roach/Abbey Lincoln group)
• Eric Dolphy - collaborator (Charles Mingus Jazz Workshop) [1962-1964]
• McCoy Tyner - collaborator (various recordings) [1960s-1970s]
• Miles Davis - collaborator (various recordings) [1960s-1970s]

Artists Influenced

• Ali Shaheed Muhammad - collaborator and student of Bartz’s legacy (Jazz Is Dead series)
• Adrian Younge - collaborator and student of Bartz’s legacy (Jazz Is Dead series)
• Maisha - jazz-funk band influenced by Bartz’s style (collaborations and performances) [2020s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Ballad of the Matador (Frank Strazzeri. Strazzatonic. Taurus / Frames / View from Within)
2. Injun-Jo (Frank Strazzeri. Strazzatonic. Taurus / Frames / View from Within)
3. Jo Gee (Frank Strazzeri. Strazzatonic. Taurus / Frames / View from Within)
4. La Mosca (Frank Strazzeri. Strazzatonic. Taurus / Frames / View from Within)
5. Frames (Frank Strazzeri. Strazzatonic. Taurus / Frames / View from Within)
6. Evening in Madrid (Frank Strazzeri. Strazzatonic. Taurus / Frames / View from Within)
7. Lets Pretend (Ancient Kings)
8. Early Morning Rises (Ancient Kings)
9. Islands (Ancient Kings)
10. DR. Jackal (Four to Go (feat. John Gross, Gary Barone, Alan Jones))

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia