Sam Barsh is a performer, through and through. Whether in dark and quiet trance-like ballads or explosive jams, Barsh's intensity and deep connection to music always come through. He grew up in the Chicago area, and has been playing music since the age of 4, starting on piano, and expanding to organ, synthesizers, vintage keyboards, and melodica. Barsh moved to the east coast in 1999 to attend William Paterson University's renowned jazz studies program on a full-tuition Presidential Scholarship. He graduated from William Paterson in 2003 Magna Cum Laude.
Barsh has been based in New York City since 2001, but has traveled all over the world sharing his music and the music of others. His own group, the Sam Barsh Band, performs his funky blend of jazz, r&b and slick ambient grooves. Their debut record wil be released on Razdaz Recordz in early 2008.
From 2003 through 2006, Barsh was a member of the renowned Avishai Cohen Trio. With Cohen, Barsh recorded 3 records and a live DVD, performed at many of the world's biggest jazz festivals and received much international acclaim. Barsh can also be seen regularly with violinist Zach Brock and the Coffee Achievers, with whom he has toured and made 2 records and an upcoming live CD/DVD.
Barsh has had the good fortune to perform with a diverse group of incredible artists throughout his career, including Cassandra Wilson, Jeff Parker, Boyz II Men, Bobby McFerrin, The Brand New Heavies, Robin Eubanks, Debbie Friedman, Branford Marsalis, Lonnie Plaxico, Christophe Schweizer, Dave Samuels (of Spyro Gyra), Ku'umba Frank Lacy, The Mighty Blue Kings, Omar Edwards, Mino Cinelu, Rez Abbasi, Kenny Wollessen, Curtis Watts, Nguyen Le, Ben Monder, Hans Glawischnig, Todd Carey and many others.
Additionally, Barsh is an avid songwriter, and has been busy writing and producing r&b and pop songs with collaborators CURTIS "MEGA" WATTS and JESSE PALTER. Look for much more to come!
Combining his musical knowledge with a love for sharing and interacting with students, Barsh has given successful and rewarding clinics at universities and high schools throughout the USA. Barsh's clinics focus on the building blocks for a successful musical career, giving equal attention to the musical, business and general life aspects of the music biz. Past clinics have been given at: Yale University, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, University of Capetown (South Africa), Knox College (Galesburg, IL), LaGuardia Community College (Queens, NYC), University Preparatory Academy (Detroit, MI), The Drum Collective (NYC), Theodore Roosevelt Academy (Bronx, NYC) and public and private high schools throughout the USA.
Feel free to check out WWW.BARSHMUSIC.COM for more info and mp3s.
“One of the most freakishly talented, tasteful and fresh-sounding newcomers today.â€
-Philip DiPietro / Jazz Journalists Association Top 10 of 2005
“Really cutting edge, a very promising young pianist.â€
-Cassandra Wilson
“A keyboardist with the gift of groove.â€
-Nate Chinen / The New York Times
***BARSH'S DISCOGRAPHY***
"AS IS - LIVE AT THE BLUE NOTE"
Avishai Cohen - 2007 Halfnote/RazDaz
"RED GONE WILD"
Redman - 2007 Def Jam
"FINDING SPACE"
Rick Parker - 2007
"CONTINUO"
Avishai Cohen - 2006 RazDaz Recordz
"THE RELATIVES"
Jeff Parker - 2005 Thrill Jockey
"CHEMISTRY"
Zach Brock and the Coffee Achievers - 2005 Secret Fort
"AT HOME"
Avishai Cohen - 2005 RazDaz Recordz
"SO ALIVE"
Lonnie Plaxico - 2004 Sony/Village
"TWO COLORS"
Russ Nolan - 2004 RN
"ZACH BROCK AND THE COFFEE ACHEIVERS" Zach Brock - 2005 Secret Fort
