Bruce Katz

Biography

Katz began playing classical piano at the age of 5. He commenced his professional musical career playing piano and bass guitar with various bands in Baltimore. He then decided to concentrate on piano and Hammond organ, and in particular, jazz and blues music. After studying music at the Berklee College of Music and playing primarily jazz in Boston, he got the opportunity to play bass guitar for Big Mama Thornton. This reconnected him with his love of the blues, which has been his main musical genre since that time. From that band, Katz moved on to play with Barrence Whitfield and the Savages. While in this band, Katz had the opportunity to tour all over Europe and the U.S., playing clubs, festivals and making television appearances.

From Barrence Whitfield and the Savages, Katz moved on to playing organ and piano as well as writing and co-writing material for Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters. By this time, Katz had been on several different recording sessions with the bands he had played with as well as special guesting on sessions for other artists.

While with Ronnie Earl, Katz had not only formed his own band and began recording on the Sledgehammer Blues (formerly AudioQuest Music) label but was still maintaining the touring schedule with the Broadcasters. After leaving the Broadcasters in 1997 to concentrate on the Bruce Katz Band, Katz has maintained his own touring schedule, and released a total of seven albums, while also recording and touring with many other artists, such as Delbert McClinton, Duke Robillard, Joe Louis Walker, Debbie Davies, David "Fathead" Newman, John Hammond and others.

From 2007 to 2013, Katz was a regular member of Gregg Allman and Friends, In 2011 he joined Delbert McClinton's Band and continues to play with him, Delbert McClinton until 2014. He continues to play with John Hammond on occasion. New side projects have Katz performing with Allman Brothers founding member Butch Trucks in two different groups - Butch Trucks and the Freight Train Band and Les Brers, a band that contains 5 members of the Allman Brothers Band and Katz on keyboards, Lamar Williams Jr. on vocals and Pat Bergeson on guitar, in addition to Butch Trucks, Jaimoe, Marc Quinones, Oteil Burbridge on bass and Jack Pearson on guitar.

In October, 2014, Katz released a new Bruce Katz Band album, "Homecoming" on the American Showplace Musiclabel. This album featured guests John Hammond, Randy Ciarlante, Jimmy Bennett, Marty Ballou, Peter Bennett and is the first Bruce Katz Band album to feature vocal tunes as well as instrumental tunes. "Homecoming" received critical and popular acclaim, garnering radio play in the U.S. and worldwide, appearing at the top of Blues Radio charts. In 2016 he released another album on the American Showplace Music label called "Out From The Center". This album was The Bruce Katz Band featuring Chris Vitarello, who has played with the band since 2006. Vitarello co-wrote several tunes on the Cd and sings four tunes. "Out From The Center" reached #1 on the Roots Music Report Blues Radio Chart. The Bruce Katz Band continues to be Katz's primary focus at present.

Discography

Selected Recordings With Other Artists

Delbert McClinton, “Blind Crippled and Crazy”, New West Records, 2013

Debbie Davies, “After the Fall”, 2012

Jaimoe's Jasssz Band, "Renaissance Man", lil' Johnnyboy Records, 2011

Chris O’Leary, “Mr. Used To Be”, Vizztone, 2010

Duke Robillard, "A Swinging Session", Stony Plain, 2008

Paul Rishell/Annie Raines, "A Night In Woodstock", 2008

Joe Louis Walker, "Witness to the Blues", Stony Plain, 2007

John Hammond, “Push Comes To Shove”, Blue Note, 2006

Little Milton, “What About Me?” Telarc, 2005

Debbie Davies, “All I Found”, Telarc, 2005

Bryan Lee, “Live and Dangerous”, Justin Time, 2004

Debbie Davies, “Key to Love”, Shanachie, 2003

Bryan Lee, “Six String Therapy”, Justin Time, 2002

Duke Robillard, “Living with the Blues”, Stony Plain, 2002

Mighty Sam McClain, “Sweet Dreams”, Telarc, 2001

Joe Beard, “For Real”, AudioQuest, 2000

Mighty Sam McClain, “Blues for the Soul”, AudioQuest, 2000

Mark Erelli, “Mark Erelli”, Signature Sounds, 1999

Joe Beard, “Dealin’”, Valley Entertainment, 1998

Mighty Sam McClain, “Journey”, AudioQuest, 1998

Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters, “The Colour of Love”, Verve, 1997

Kenny Neal/Tab Benoit/Debbie Davies, “Lonesome for the Road”, Telarc, 1996

Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters, “Grateful Heart”, Rounder,1996

Mighty Sam McClain, “Keep On Movin’”, AudioQuest, 1996

Jimmy Witherspoon, “Spoon’s Blues”, Stony Plain, 1994

Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters, “Live in Europe”, Rounder, 1994

Cercie Miller, “Dedication”, Stash, 1994

Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters, “Still River, Bullseye, 1993

Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters, “Language of the Soul”, Rounder, 1993

Albert Washington, “Step it up and Go”, Iris Records, 1993

Mighty Sam McClain, “Give It Up To Love”, AudioQuest, 1993

Barrence Whitfield and the Savages, “Live Emulsified”, Rounder, 1989

Barrence Whitfield, "Ow Ow Ow!, Rounder, 1987