Updated: November 9, 2023
Born: December 15, 1952
Every morning, world-renowned jazz bassist, composer, and educator, Bruce Gertz, makes himself a cup of coffee and sits at the baby grand piano of his Melrose, MA living room. Surrounded by quirky plants, records of his esteemed inspirations, and albums of his own, Gertz composes something every day, regardless of the day’s events ahead. He says, "Sometimes I only get a short idea but that can be the seed of a beautiful composition." His counterparts applaud him for his restless commitment to self-improvement.
Gertz is known for his superb mastery of the upright bass and was named “Outstanding Bassist” by Boston Music Awards. What some fans don’t know is that he grew up playing electric bass from the age of 14 and still plays (and teaches) the electric quite often. His extraordinary contribution to music education has earned him multiple recognition awards from The International Association of Jazz Educators and the Jazz Education Network. He has been serving as a Professor of Bass at Berklee College of Music since 1976. Additional educator credits include serving on the advisory board of the International Society of Bassists and as an adjudicator at the Clark Terry UNH Jazzer's Festival.
Gertz has performed and recorded with such artists as Gary Burton, Jerry Bergonzi, John Abercrombie, Joey Calderazzo, Kenny Werner, Mick Goodrick, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Billy Hart, Bill Frisell, Bob Berg, George Cables, Gil Evans, Tom Harrell, Jon Hendricks, Diane Schuur, Dave Brubeck, George Garzone, Mike Stern, Larry Coryell, Joe Lovano, Cab Calloway, Maynard Ferguson, Count Basie and many others.
He is an author of six books and contributing editor to Bass World Magazine. As a bandleader, Gertz has recorded more than twenty albums. His 2017 quartet release, Blue Cube received four stars in Downbeat, December, 2017.
Singularity, solo bass received 3.5 stars in the same issue. Other recent recordings include Blue Shadow, Trio-Now, Tone of Spirit, solo bass, 2017, Running in the Background, 2020 and Gently Said, 2022 Bruce Gertz Quintet, In Real Time, solo pizzicato bass. 2023, Waltz 1/19, single, Quintet 2023
Awards
1987-1991 Boston Music Awards - “Outstanding Bassist”
1992 Billboard Song Contest - Third Prize for the song, “Blueprint”
1992 National Endowment for the Arts. "Jazz Performance Grant"
Gear
Phil Jones Bass amps, Mooradian Covers, GK bass amps, Fishman, Full Circle pickup and David Gage, Realist Pickup. Thomastic Strings and D'Addario Strings
Tags
Bruce Gertz Quintet Kicks of Jazz at the Arsenal Series in Watertown on Monday, September 19
![Bruce Gertz Quintet Kicks of Jazz at the Arsenal Series in Watertown on Monday, September 19](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/3a21da74dbe9a36ad7cc18f26fdbb7b7.jpg)
Source:
MassJazz: Jazz in Massachusetts
Jazz bassist Bruce Gertz and his quintet are performing at the Arsenal Center for the Arts in Watertown, Massachusetts, on Monday, September 17, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets to the show are $18 and can be ordered online. In addition to Gertz, the quintet includes Jerry Bergonzi on tenor sax, Phil Grenadier on trumpet, Steve Hunt on piano,and Austin McMahon on drums. The performance is part of the newly named Jazz at the Arsenal series taking place this fall. For ...
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MATTHIAS LUPRI QUINTET with Bruce Gertz
![MATTHIAS LUPRI QUINTET with Bruce Gertz](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/logo/bd38a72ed12128b10ddc05c6087dacb8.jpg)
Source:
All About Jazz
Mainstream contemporary jazz vibraphonist Matthias Lupri, will be performing music from the release of his latest cdShadow of the Vibe", (Chartmaker Jazz CMG5060) with his quintet in concert on Thursday, July 20, 2000 at the Quincy Festival, Mainstreet Quincy, Ma at 12 noon (Free) and Friday, July 21, 2000 at the Acton Jazz Cafe, 452 Great Rd., Rte. 2A, Acton. (978) 263-6161. (Admission $10). Show starts 9PM. Performing with Lupri will be Steven Kirby (g), Bill Vint (s), Bruce Gertz ...
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About BLUEPRINT
"This music is an association between viguor,(up tempos) and passion of knowledge.It satisfies the spirit giving peace of mind" Jazz Magazine, France A disc of indispensable fire...the bebop with vision of the future' (Cd of the month) —Mateu Serra, Audio Mag, Spain
"Just about every song features a solo by Bruce Gertz and the're all great. His modal,post bop and swing derived harmonies and melodies prove he's equally versed as a player and as a writer...give the disc a listen.it would satisfy even the most discerning jazz palette,leaving you wanting a second helping' —Matthew Bowman, New England Performer
Primary Instrument
Bass
Location
Boston
Credentials/Background
Teaching Experience • 1974 - present private instructor • 1976- present professor at Berklee College of Music, Boston • 1985 - present Bruce has taught workshops with Berklee in Japan, Spain, Germany, Italy and Santa Cruz de Tenerife and as a leader or with Jerry Bergonzi in Australia, Venezuela, Israel, Slovenia and the U.S Author: Walkin, 22 Contemporary Studies for Bass, Mastering The Bass 1 & 2, Mel Bay, Let's Play Rhythm, Advance Music
Clinic/Workshop Information
Thelonious Monk
pianoBill Evans
pianoWynton Marsalis
trumpetKenny Burrell
guitar, electricChick Corea
pianoSonny Rollins
saxophoneKenny Garrett
saxophone, altoWayne Shorter
saxophoneJohn Scofield
guitarChris Potter
saxophoneCarla Bley
pianoHal Galper
pianoElvin Jones
drumsHank Mobley
saxophone, tenorEnrico Pieranunzi
pianoPaul Motian
drumsArtists who share similar musical characteristics to Bruce Gertz.