PETER BARSHAY / BIOGRAPHY
A veteran bassist who has established a strong reputation over the years from his sideman work on both the New York City and Bay Area jazz scenes, Peter Barshay has performed with such jazz luminaries as Kenny Barron, Freddie Hubbard, Sonny Stitt, Kenny Werner, Shirley Horn, Woody Shaw, Pharoah Sanders, Blue Mitchell, Tony Williams, Joe Henderson, Joe Lovano, Johnny Griffin and Bobby McFerrin.
Born in Washington D.C. in 1950, Barshay began cello lessons at age nine. In 1965, his family moved to Berkeley, California, where he continued his classical studies but his interest was piqued by other musics as well. “I listened to rock ‘n’ roll and blues and spent many weekends at the Fillmore Auditorium during the heyday of rock ‘n’ roll in the ‘60s,” he recalls. “But then I started listening to jazz and found myself being pulled into it.”
In 1969, Barshay moved to New York to study at the Manhattan School Of Music with renowned cellist Bernard Greenhouse, a member of the famed Beaux Arts Trio. But his commitment to classical music was waning by that time. “I ended up spending all my time at the Village Vanguard and whatever jazz clubs I could go to,” he says. “That’s kind of when I lost my desire to be a classical player.”
It was around that time that Barshay switched from cello to double bass and he hasn’t looked back since. “I just picked up the bass, I never took a lesson,” he explains. After returning to the West Coast in 1970, he began working as a freelancer at such clubs as El Matador, Basin Street West and the Keystone Korner, where gained invaluable on-the-job training with key players on the Bay Area and New York jazz scenes.
Moving back to to New York in 1978 he became immersed in the jazz and Latin jazz scenes there over the course of the next 15 years. During this time he also formed a trio with saxophonist Joe Lovano and drummer Joey Baron. “We played a lot together and actually did a recording,” he says. “I hope to put it out one day.” There were memorable nights at the revered Greenwich Village piano duo haven Bradley’s with the likes of pianists Jimmy Rowles and Tommy Flanagan and occasional appearances at Time Cafe with the Mingus Big Band. His other activities during this lengthy period included subbing for renowned bassists Bob Cranshaw and the late Walter Booker, playing duo gigs at West Boondock with pianists Armen Donelian and Jim McNeely and gigging with saxophonist Sonny Fortune while also appearing regularly at 55 Grand in a trio with drummer Victor Lewis and guitarist Hiram Bullock. It was at 55 Grand that he first met and played with former Miles Davis guitarist Mike Stern, who makes an appearance on his pit of fashion CD. During these years, Barshay would gain invaluable experience alongside a host of jazz’s elite, including international tours with such venerable jazzmen as Lou Donaldson, Johnny Griffin, Lew Tabackin and Joe Chambers.
Barshay’s numerous appearances at clubs and jazz festivals have taken him around the world, helping to establish his reputation as a solid, reliable bassist. Having soaked up a lifetime of sounds on both coasts -- everything from salsa and straight ahead to funk-fusion, avant garde and music derived from the Afro-Cuban and Brazilian traditions -- he brings a wealth of experience to the musical table.
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Hope to see you soon and thanks again for offering to come through for a few tunes on Sept. 28th for the benefit. Do you know Eric Thompson, the drummer?
Inquiring minds want to know where we can go hear Peter Barshay. Gee, I wonder where he's playing next...wouldn't it be great if his gig schedule was up on his MySpace page? Yeah...that sure would be cooooool. Ahem. xo Shea
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