Produced by Vic Steffens
Roots Music Report Chart
Top 50 Blues Rock Album Chart
--- Over 14 weeks
Youtube
Bio
How does a Connecticut transplant from Baltimore grow to pull off Austin-style hard drivin' heavy Blues & Rock and Roll?
Bart Bryant is a recording and performing artist. While from Baltimore, his fluid vocals and Blues-Rock guitar style have entertained audiences in Connecticut and Austin, Texas since his teens.
His solo acoustic and band (Current) work in New Haven, CT and the Tri-State area gained him access to producers. By the late '70s Bart started recording his original songs. Recognition also brought warm-up band gigs for national acts at Toad's Place which led to his debut on MTV in 1988.
Work with legendary artists like The Roches, Jorma Kaukonen, Poco, Pousette-Dart Band, Jonathan Edwards,Stevie Ray Vaughan, Aztec Two-Step, Pure Prairie League,Johnny Winter, John Butcher & New Riders of the Purple Sage all had influence on Bryant's work & aspirations.
A 1992 move to Austin & the historic Sixth Street Blues scene deepened the influence of Texas blues artists. Association with Manager Carl Gill introduced Bart to Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel in '96 and Bryant began recording at his studio, Bismeaux Recording, with Producer Frank Campbell. Campbell brought in star musicians Cindy Cashdollar and Floyd Domino to join club musician drummer, Richie Pugaand bassist, Lannie Hilboldt. The project continued at Parrot Tracks Recording with NYC producer George Coyne. George added the talents of bassist Tim Dauncey and Drummer Ernie Durawa to the project. In 1998 the resulting CD, Bart, was released and debuted on KLBJ "The Loris Lowe Show".
In 2000 Bart collaborated with singer-songwriter Curt Commander and producer Chet Himes while performing in Houston with "The Tweeds” and "August Blues". Recording once again in Austin with George Coyne at Parrot Tracks, they produced nine original songs featuring performances by Floyd Domino and Gary Primich. Commander ~ Bryant was released March 2001 and debuted on Eddie Russell's Outlaws for Peace radio show, and, as a result, Commander ~ Bryantreceived regular airplay on radio stations throughout Europe and Asia.
Bart's 2001 return to New Haven reconnected him with musicians from the early days. Bryant brought Brad Hallen,Paul Ahlstrand, Floyd Domino, and Ken Melillo together with some new players: Rob Liptrot, Paul Bartlet, Travis LaMothe, and Scott Aruda, to work with producer Ron Sutfin and released Feel Thing in 2005.
After years of focus on live performance, Bart assembled some old friends from Texas, club musicians from CT, and some new friends including Scott Spray to record a new project of cover songs. Through Scott’s introductions, Tyger MacNeal and BillHolloman were added to the mix and in 2014 Bart eleased
Back.
Bart returned full circle to record where it all began back in 1979 – to work with Vic Steffens at AudioWest Studio where, in 2015, he recorded with two Rock star musicians, rummer Bobby Torello, and Bassist Scott Spray.
In March of 2017 Bryant released Desperate Man featuring 5 original rock songs which debuted on "The Big Tasty Show" and received regular air play on UConn Radio, WHUS.
July 16, 2021 marked the release of the new project produced by Bart Bryant and Bill Holloman. Entitled Magic Mind, the CD features 5 classic blues songs and the re-release of two original blues songs.
Bryant worked once again with Vic Steffens producing Backstage II with classic blues songs plus three Bryant originals. Released in the spring of 2024, Backstage II is on
the HMG label, with distibution by Select-O-Hits.
the HMG label, with distibution by Select-O-Hits.
With professional promotion in the hands of Betsie Brown of Blind Racoon, the CD has been successful internationally. Backstage II is currrently on RMR's Top 50 Blues Rock Album Chart, maintaining a rising position for many weeks.
Bart is promoting Backstage II and is back to performing publicly in 2024.
from recent reviews... [2024]
"Blues and rock, soul and rhythm 'n' blues as well, all offered with a homogeneous blend of dexterity, know-how and feeling... Lovers of beautiful guitars and blues-rock know what s hold on!"
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"Bart has not enslaved himself into any one genre. To be sure, Bryant’s blues sensibilities are on superb display here, yet he seems wholly confident and assured in tackling any musical pondering that suits his elevated proficiencies. His guitar both pierces and evokes deep feeling, he sings with lofty conviction, and he certainly knows how to surround himself with a team of musicians who fully buy into his musical conceptualizations. Rare is the blues rich collection these days that sounds fresh and exciting, though Bryant deeply succeeds on those fronts. Produced by Vic Steffens at Horizon Recording in New Haven, Connecticut, let’s hope more electrifying efforts from Bryant follow. Well done!"
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"The story goes on and immediately takes on somewhat different connotations, because Bart Bryant proves here how wide the blues really is, how much effort is actually needed to sound exactly like this. Combining and subordinating all seemingly incompatible elements is the true artistry of this musician. T-Bone Walker, Otis Rush, Little Johnny Taylor, Delbert McClinton, Johnny Winter and Stevie Ray Vaughan are certain and key figures in the musical environment in which Bart Bryant finds himself. However, he is not a copy here, but has definitely developed his own distinctive and inspired musical expression, and that is exactly why this album sounds so free and stimulating. A real and powerful boost to the whole album was given by the excellent brass section, which literally kills with its power and expressiveness. When you add to that a killer guitar, a determined rhythm section and an impressive mouthpiece, my blues needs are satisfied and I don't need anything else.Bryant presents his new work "Backstage II" in which there is no procrastination or philosophy, it goes straight to the head and everything moves incredibly powerfully and, above all, high-quality and good"
Mladen Lončar
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"A special case is the voice of Bart Bryant that gives another life to those classics, taking them from the past to deliver them to this new time in another atmosphere. In conjunction with the other instruments, it makes
" Backstage II " an album to enjoy as if it were a concert night." |
"Bart Bryant's rough-edged vocals are perfectly suited to the music , well-traveled and gravel-road, reflecting a life well-traveled . His musicianship is distinctive and certainly inspired . With 12 compositions - 8 classic reinterpretations and 4 originals - this talented guitarist with the killer chops shows many different sides on this latest release - talented composer, inventive producer , and a great bandleader ,everyone pulling in the same direction at full throttle . Until you have the extraordinary opportunity to see Bart Bryant live , this is the next best thing , transporting everyone into a tightly packed club , the dance floor rockin', and up on that stage is a smokin' hot , kick ass band being lead by a demonic guitarist, playing a super-charged and highly enjoyable mix of classics and originals . "Backstage II" - Great fun and a must have !"
John Muller - Taken From - Blue Notes and Conversations https://raymondmuller567.wixsite.com/blue-notes-and-con-1
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"Another of Bart's originals is an absolutely beautifully written and performed ballad titled "Out Of This Blue". Straight off the top, the disc's producer - Vic Steffens - needs to be praised for his work on this one. The way the rhythm - with Scott on bass, Alex on drums, Floyd on piano, and Bill on organ - crescendos from a soothing groove to a powerful peak - then brought back down by a heavenly flute highlight from Bill - is nothing short of masterful. Then there's Bart! Although it's been present on many of the other tracks, the vocal range he showcases on this one is absolutely awe-inspiring. Take a bow everyone, because I'm giving you all a large applause.
Other tracks on this killer release include: "Day Of The Eagle", a full tilt rocker by Robin Trower; "Mess Of Blues", a shuffle by Doc Pomus & Mort Shuman; "Motown Groove", another of Bart's originals; and three classics by several legends - "I'm Ready" (Willie Dixon); "Born Under A Band Sign" (King/Bell/Jones); and "Whiskey, Beer, and Wine" (Buddy Guy & Tom Hambridge). Regardless of your preference of blues styles, Backstage II will satisfy it."
Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro
Blues Editor @ www.Mary4Music.com
2011 Keeping The Blues Alive Award Recipient
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"New Haven, Connecticut based blues- rocker Bart Bryant is a seasoned singer- guitar veteran that’s been churning out music since the 1970s. Formerly from Baltimore, Maryland, the Connecticut transplant cites Austin’s hard-drivin’ Rockin’ Blues as his forte and he proves it from track to track on his latest release, Backstage II. Covering classic gems like Robin Trower’s “Day of The Eagle,”Johnny Taylor’s “If You Love Me Like You Say,” Willie Dixon’s “I Can’t Quit You Baby,” Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Empty Arms,” Doc Pomus’ “Mess of Blues,” Willie Dixon’s “I’m Ready,” Albert King’s “Born Under A Bad Sign” and Buddy Guy’s “Whiskey, Beer and Wine” along with four well penned originals, Bryant and his cast of players wind it up and let it fly. Produced by the legendary Vic Steffens, this raucous roadhouse blues-rock album shines from start to finish." [B.M.O.] Contact-- www.bartbryant.com Metronome magazine 5-2024"
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