Bar Scott has performed her music live with many
other musicians including background singer
Kirsti Gholson, multi-instrumentalist Mindy Jostyn,
Bassist, Lou Pappas, Pianist Peter Tomlinson and
singers Jen Starr, Callie Hershey, Erica Cohn.
Influences
The truth is, I love pop music. I love the stuff that's commercial. I love songs that make me want to sing along because of their great melodies, their lyrics and their potential for vocal harmonizing on my part. I listened to the Beatles for hours when I was a kid. I loved Motown and all of the music that was coming out of Detroit in the ‘60s and ‘70s. I love to dance, so anything with a groove is great for me. I still listen to Michael Jackson's BAD more than any other record. I put it on in my studio and dance to it at dangerously high volumes. I also loved the singers who you might have expected me to listen to: Judy Collins, Joni Mitchell, Laura Nyro, Annie Lennox, and Shawn Colvin. There have been all kinds of phases too. I lived and breathed ‘80s pop: Thompson Twins, Thomas Dolby, Men at Work, Wang Chung, Sheena E, Prince and The Time. I also love classical music, particularly solo piano and chamber music. I probably listen to classical music more than anything else these days. I absolutely love anything played on the piano by Vladimir Horowitz. The odd thing is that the music I am least drawn to is the music of other singer songwriters. I find that I am drawn to them only if I have heard them live, or if they have a lot of pop elements in their work. I love Jane Siberry, Sarah McLachlan, Paul Simon, David Gray and Peter Gabriel. These days, I am recording and performing so much that I choose silence a lot of the time. I regret this because I don’t know what’s happening in music as much as I would like to, but in every moment there’s a choice, and I often choose to listen to quiet so that my mind and ears get a break. And the sad truth is that a lot of the music that is on the radio these days is not that inspiring to me. Thankfully I have friends and a husband who are more proactive than I am about hearing what’s new, so I do hear more than I would on my own.
Sounds Like
Bar has been compared to many singers. Richard Berkley, the host of "Dusty Corners" on WRPI 91.5 FM-Troy, NY recently said: "Bar's voice is reminiscent of Joni Mitchell and Laura Nyro, and at times such jazz singers as Sarah Vaughn and Eliane Elias." Then again, Bar has her own distinct sound and style. Paul Higgins, host of "Nightshade" on 98.1FM WKZE - Red Hook, NY said this about Bar: "Bar Scott transcends the songwriter with a piano genre... she transcends any genre. Bar's sound comes directly from the soul. Bar gave me a gift…an hour of confessional, honest, beautiful, delicate, powerful, soul music. Don't underestimate the power of a white American female with a piano."
For more information about Bar or to see her resume, check out her
Electronic Press Kit
If you are interested in licensing any of Bar's music click on one of these links.
Bar was recently asked to update the above article and talk a bit about how she feels about the cost and her ability to recoup (or not!) the money that was invested in Parachute.
(New book and music selections added April 5, 2009)
If you like good books and good music go to BAR'S PICKS
and read about her personal favorites. Also, check out
BAR'S FAQ for a personal glimpse into who Bar Scott is.
A Little Dream (2007), Parachute (2006), Sweets for the Soul (2002), Grapes and Seeds (2000), Confession (1995), Silence is Broken (1992) and others...
Bar recently received this assessment of "Parachute" from another song writer who happens to be a fan. Thanks Charlie Lang!
"Parachute" wins in Multiple Categories
A. Best Vocal Performance
B. Best Arrangement
1. Best New Song
2. Most Interesting Allegory
3. Most Contemporary Theme
4. Bittersweet Song Of The Year
5. Kudos for Lyrical Melody
6. Emotional Cathartic Minor
and Major Constellations
7. Most Sensual and Engaging Voice
8. Most Innovative Vocal Performance
...One of the "Judges"
Excellent songs that will hit you in your gut & move your heart ***** by CBCD
The first time I heard Bar Scott sing I shook my head and asked “Where has her voice been all my life?” Her songs resonate emotionally, and her voice is a gift to those who hear her. Great backup singing on this record as well. Try the songs ‘Sarah’ or’More’ or ‘Oh, God’. This is good music for grown-ups.
Ethereal music ***** by Celia2Song
I was Bar Scott’s student for a while and her music really expresses a lot of feeling. “Parachute” is one of my personal favorites. Look to her music for melodies of loss, sorrow, love and belief.
Beautiful Voice! Beautiful Music! *****
by MusicTeach
This recording should be in everyone’s library—especially anyone who likes beautiful music that expresses those feelings we all have deep inside but are hesitant to express. Bar Scott’s incomparable voice, her “feeling-filled” music writing and performance style left me wanting more. Her original music is wonderful. ....The singing, the harmonies and instrumental arrangements are remarkable. I noticed that she has top-notch people performing with her—not surprising for the quality of this recording. I highly recommend this recording in its entirety!
(All of the above were found on iTunes.)
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“What struck me about Bar Scott’s music is the power of her voice. It just lights up the soul and chases away the crud that’s been building up in there for years.” (Jon Pope – The Ripple Effect)
Bar Scott has inspired listeners with the strength of her voice and the immediacy of her songs for over fifteen years. At every show, she digs deep within herself to sing and then takes her audience with her. On stage, it’s clear that there’s no other place in the world she’d rather be. Comfortable alone at the piano, guitar or singing a capella in a great hall, Bar also loves to perform with background vocalists, a bassist or other accompaniment. With six CDs of original songs, and three of covers including songs from the American Songbook under her belt, Bar moves comfortably from one style to the next.
She’s performed at The Beacon Theater, The Cathedral at St John the Divine, the Clearwater and Falcon Ridge Musical Festivals, Terrytown Town Music Hall, the Kimmel Center and Philadelphia Cathedral, and many medium and smaller venues around the northeast. In the studio, she’s worked with, among others, bassist Tony Levin, drummer Jerry Marotta, classical guitarist Fred Hand, arranger and keyboardist David Sancious and the string quartet known as Ethel.
“Bar Scott is without a doubt one of the great voices on the earth,” according to Jim Croce’s producer Tommy West. And Judy Whitfield, a Woodstock presenter, said, “Bar Scott creates Beauty,” which is exactly what she has always hoped to do.
"Her voice is the kind you hear in a dream...her honesty is shocking...her songs contain an essential core that she offers you in a crystal glass...magic."
....Mark Morganstern, owner of The Rosendale Cafe, Rosendale, NY
"...Her voice is amazingly beautiful, her pitch impeccable, and her phrasing and sense of swing is exhilarating."
...Mark Kaplan, a fan (after hearing Bar live at the Byrdcliffe Theater Augst 31, 2008)
WOODSTOCK WRITER'S FESTIVAL
February 12-15, 2010
Join acclaimed authors in this "Celebration of the Memoir." Writers will read and readers will write during four days of romancing great books! Workshops, fetes, readings and panels, moveable feasts and more.
The producers of the 2010 Woodstock Writers' Festival have invited me to read again this year. I'll be reading and singing and reading some more on that Saturday afternoon.
Special guests include Susan Orlean (The Orchid Thief, Lazy Little Loafers) and Julie Powell (Julie and Julia, Cleaving).
Get tickets now. Many of these events were sold out last year.
Bar's husband, Peter Schoenberger, was named as
an Independent Music Awards Finalist in the Album
Art Photography Category for his work on Bar's
Parachute Album.
Mare Wakefield, the Independent Music Editor at
Performing Songwriter Magazine has named Parachute
as her No.2 favorite CD for 2007.
Reviews and Kudos
JUST SUPERB!!*****
A Review of Bar's a little dream Album
by Stu Needel (June, 2008)
Even singing some of her (and my) favorite classic covers, there’s no question that Bar Scott is one of the greatest American voices alive and frequently singing today.
There’s something so predictable and almost appropriate about “the best” also being the most unknown: the best restaurant in town that nearly goes bankrupt until word of mouth advertising transforms it into THE place to go for an incredible dinner; the movie that no one is seeing since all the “major” critics panned it, which when you see it because of that hunch you can’t seem to quiet, turns out to be the movie that transforms your life.
I have discovered independent and incredible artists before, but what makes Bar Scott SO incredible is how she continues to create and perform such amazing music (even when she’s “creating” others music) and do it with the quiet force of an old sage with incredible wisdom he (or she) knows to be true and unquestionable. To listen to Bar on record or live, you just have to wonder how the majority of the rest of the world doesn’t know about her and her incredible talent. Just like that incredible restaurant.
I have had the immense pleasure of seeing Bar live twice, both house concerts at the home of Cheryl and Michael Wu, who I’m eternally grateful to for introducing me to Bar. Bar is such a passionate artist, so committed to making any of her musical arts, songwriting, piano, and voice, as perfect as they can be, Yet, her concerts are more like being in the kitchen with an incredible chef, watching them work and tasting the results as they are done. Not that the experience and performance is any less spectacular, but Bar’s unpretentious relationship and dialog with the audience makes it all the more harder to believe that you’re witnessing something as incredible as you obviously are.
Listen to how she makes each of these already legendary compositions so beautifully her own and THEN, get her entire library and hear a songwriting talent at least as beautiful as her voice.
Think of this as the tip on that restaurant down the street. Trust me, you’ll thank me the next time you see me!
and another…
Simple, pure, and stunningly beautiful. ***** by MusicTeach
I have listened to this CD several times and each time I am in awe of Bar's voice. It has been said that she is one of the great voices on the earth and I would have to agree. This current recording is wonderful. The simplicity and starkness of the accompaniment (just piano and acoustic bass) serve only to enhance the songs themselves and Bar Scott's voice in particular. These are sung as if written by Bar herself---from her inner core. They are done honestly and with little embellishment which brings out the true beauty of the music. As a musician myself, I highly recommend this album.
(These were found on Bar’s “a little dream” page in her iTunes store)
HI, I am comming to the show tonight at the Colony! I am so excited! The last time i saw you was when i was with the Hudson Vally Youth Coral about 6 years ago maybe, yeah so it was a long time ago! and you came and sung with us! I have been a huge fan cence then! My favorite is definitly Heaven!! I am just so excited! Hope all goes well tonight! Heather
Hello Bar! Thanks for the friend invite! I am so looking forward to meeting you and hearing you sing in person. I love your voice! Take good care and see you soon. Cheers, Cindy Bullens
Hi Bar! It was so great seeing you and especially hearing your set at SS Cape May. Your songs are really beautiful and I'm thoroughly enjoying your CD. I hope our paths cross again soon. :)
Thank You so much for the friendship, Bar. I resonate with your harmonic music for the soul SO VERY MUCH! Thank Thee that Thou art. Filip "Prémanád" :)
“What struck me about Bar Scott’s music is the power of her voice. It just lights up the soul and chases away the crud that’s been building up in there for years.” (Jon Pope – The Ripple Effect)
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