Gary Bartz

GRAMMY-winning saxophonist and titan of modern music, Gary Bartz, brings his legendary artistry to Melbourne in a soul-stirring performance featuring some of Australia’s finest players.

Across his decorated six-decade career, Bartz has long been revered for his mastery of the alto saxophone and his revolutionary approach to informal composition — reshaping the language of jazz improvisation. From his groundbreaking work with Miles Davis on Live-Evil to pivotal stints with Art Blakey and Charles Mingus, to a raft of recent projects such as Jazz Is Dead with Ali Shaheed Muhammad (A Tribe Called Quest) and producer Adrian Younge, Bartz has played a vital and enduring role in honouring and expanding the legacy of Black American music. With over 45 solo albums to his name — including seminal release Harlem Bush Music — he remains a critical and ever-evolving force in spiritual, free, and avant-garde jazz.

At the heart of this must-see performance is Bartz’s cross-generational collaboration with celebrated Australian pianist, composer and longtime creative partner, Barney McAll. Featuring daring reinterpretations of his iconic NTU Troop and solo work, alongside material from his recent collaboration with McAll and members of beloved homegrown collective, Hiatus Kaiyote, audiences can expect transportive spiritual jazz, with boundless improvisation driven by Bartz’s undying radical spirit.