Bruce Katz

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.