Bruce Barth Quintet - In Focus (1993)

Review by Ken Dryden

Bruce Barth's recording debut as a leader was an auspicious one, though it probably wasn't as widely distributed as it might have been by a U.S. label. Accompanied by a number of other talented young players (Steve Wilson on alto and soprano sax, trumpeter Scott Wendholdt, bassist Robert Hurst, and drummer Lewis Nash), the pianist works magic with time-tested standards such as his adventurous post-bop treatment of "I Hear Music" and a rhapsodic solo interpretation of Duke Ellington's "I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)." His trio arrangement of Wayne Shorter's "Pinocchio" is suspenseful yet full of energy, while another Shorter composition, "Wildflower," shows just a hint of McCoy Tyner's influence on his playing. Barth's original works are also worth investigating, especially the sauntering "Nefer Bond" (named for his cat) and the tender ballad "Louise," which features an intriguing blend of Wilson's soprano sax and Wendholt's trumpet. The overall strength of this initial recording as a leader by Bruce Barth make it worth the search.