BRUCE KATZ - Hammond B-3 Organ, Piano. Bruce has been nominated by the National Blues Foundation for its 2008 Blues Music Award in the "Pinetop Perkins Piano Player Of The Year Award"! Besides leading the Bruce Katz Band, he is currently a member of Gregg Allman and Friends, the John Hammond Band and plays with a wide variety of leading names in the Blues and Roots world.
CHRIS VITARELLO, guitar/vocals. Chris is very active in the NYC and Connecticut area and also plays with Jimmy McGriff, Dennis Gruenling, Jeremy Baum and others.
RALPH ROSEN, drums. Ralph has played on the New England scene for quite some time now and is rated as one of the foremost jazz drummers in the country. A first call session player that has toured nationally as well as internationally.
ROD CAREY, bass and vocals. Rod was nominated for a Grammy for his work with Hubert Sumlin and Pinetop Perkins. He was a member of Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters for 6 years and has played on countless other recordings with various artists.
Influences
Ray Charles, Otis Spann, Jimmy McGriff, Thelonius Monk, Charles Mingus, James Booker, Prof. Longhair, Bessie Smith, Fletcher Henderson, Count Basie, Steve Winwood, George Jones and many, many more!
Led by the renowned pianist and Hammond B-3 organist, Bruce Katz, the Bruce Katz Band plays original, mostly instrumental music that is full of blues spirit but also draws heavily from New Orleans R&B, "soul-jazz" and boogie-woogie.
This powerful, four piece band blends guitar and Hammond B-3 organ together into a sound that is original and yet traditional at its core.
Besides leading the Bruce Katz Band, Bruce is a regular member of Gregg Allman and Friends as well as the John Hammond Quartet. Bruce and his unique and exciting playing is always in demand and he has also performed and/or recorded with Litlle Milton, Duke Robillard, David "Fathead" Newman, Jerry Portnoy, Debbie Davies, Charlie Musselwhite, Bryan Lee, Rick Holmstrom, and Mighty Sam McClain. Since moving to the Woodstock, NY area, Bruce has been a regular performer with the Levon Helm Band, playing at many of the "Midnight Rambles" at Levons barn/performance space, where he has also played with Emmylou Harris, John Sebastian and others. He is also playing at the Rambles with the Alexis P. Suter Band.
After 5 years and 6 cd's with Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters, Bruce Katz and the Bruce Katz Band have established themselves both nationally and internationally. Their last 3 cd's, were released to critical raves and appeared in the top 20 in the Living Blues Radio Chart. The most recent CD, "A Deeper Blue", stayed on the National Radio Chart for 3 months, reaching as high as #13.
The band recently returned from a tour in England where they were asked to record and play live on the BBC for one of Paul Jones' "live sessions on the BBC".
The Bruce Katz Band is now including some vocal tunes in their repetoire, with both guitarist Chris Vitarello and bassist Rod Carey providing the vocals.
Bruce's fan base includes lovers of the Hammond B-3 tradition in both blues and jazz. Recently younger audiences who are fans of other "jam bands" have found out about his cd's and have become fans as well. The Bruce Katz Band has played major blues and jazz festivals both in the United States as well as Europe.
Hi bruce, Check out the Blues groove chart. Hippology made it in there for May, one of my all time favourite instrumentals! Hope you & your fans can tune in and check out the music!! All the best Tess
hello from switzerland, thank you for your friendship. first I heard you with Might Sam McClain ... great music... it was a great band ... now I listen your music and I LOVE IT!!!!!! I wish you all the best, lot of concerts, full houses, succses and lot of sunshine in your heart and soul!!!!!! Sincerely Peter Tschirky
please don't forget Eddie Harris.... he was a great musican and wrote some wonderful blues songs like "How can you live like that" or "Eddie sings the blues" or "I'm tired of driving"
Spring Time is here and the Winds of the Boogie are Near, as you know Bruce, I love the Groove you bring to this Groove Train...Thats why where Friends...Get Ready for a Great Show this Friiday the 9th of May 2008 on KVNF...The Friday Afternoon Club with JaBeaux is one of the Best programs you can find on this Rock we Ride...Old School Radio with a Huge New School Punch...The Friday Afternoon Club @ 1pm MST will feature all the Boogie Woogie one can handle, call someone you Love and let them know to grab their Ballerina Shoes or maybe they enjoy the barefeet Boogie...In any case, its Time to throw your Soul to the Wind and let it Flow. The Friday Afternoon Club kvnf. org With JaBeaux 1pm MST Friday 9, 2008 The Boogie is on! Tune In and Turn It Up...The Start of The Mothers Day Weekend. And remember, all your Mothers and Grandmothers Loved to Boogie at One Time.
Well hello Bruce! Enjoyed your page and tunes! Hey, if you find time, stop by and give a listen to my two new tunes posted recently from my new album, BEACON OF LIGHT-a showcase of southern talent, hope you dig them! Much success in the coming year! Peace and BEACON OF LIGHT, Laura
Bruce, Thank you for playing at the "Love Thy Neighbor" Benefit. It was a great night, I hope you enjoyed it as well. We are very much grateful to you for being there. Much Love, Kristy
