At the age of 83 years old, acclaimed saxophonist and NEA Jazz Master Gary Bartz took a leap of faith by cashing out his 401K, embarking on a sabbatical from his role as an instructor at Oberlin Conservatory and recorded his first album in over 13 years.
Damage Control, slated for release on Bartz’ 85th birthday on September 26, is his most heartfelt album to date. His last album, Coltrane Rules: Tao of a Music Warrior, released in 2012, was a tribute album to John Coltrane. This album bridges the gap between jazz, soul and pop as Bartz immortalizes classic soul songs that have brought him joy. From Curtis Mayfield’s “The Makings of You” to Anita Baker’s “You Bring Me Joy,” Bartz gives us the music that inspires him and offers it as as sanctuary to those who will listen as well as to himself.
“These are songs that I play in my house just for me when I just wanna relax and chill,” says Bartz. “They inspire me and they make me feel good.” That inspiration comes from Bartz’ upbringing in Baltimore, where he grew up attending concerts where jazz musicians, soul singers and pop acts appeared together back to back, from Duke Ellington and Charlie Parker to James Brown and The Supremes. “Had they been the same age and in the same city at the same time, John Coltrane could have gone to school and graduated with James Brown,” says Bartz. “It’s really all the same music to me.”
Produced by Bartz’ longtime collaborator and godson Om’mas Keith, the album also features appearances from Brandee Younger, Kamasi Washington, Theo Croker, Cory Henry and Nile Rogers, to name a few.
Damage Control is the first in a planned trilogy Bartz calls Eternal Tenure of Sound, built on the idea that genre means nothing to him musically. Each volume will showcase a different side of Bartz’s creativity, with the second volume, featuring Hiatus Kaiyote, slated for release in 2026.
Damage Control comes out September 26 on Bartz’ own label OYO Records.
