The Grammy nominated, Richard Baratta Gotham City Latin Jazz Sextet/Septet is comprised of world-renowned master musicians. Rooted in traditional jazz background, but expanding into all musical idioms, the musicians and band leave a lasting impression wherever they perform. They have traveled the world entertaining at well know jazz and music festivals, universities, institutions and clubs. Each musician has been a leader in his own career and collectively they synthesize into a unique musical experience. The performances include the Music in Films series, drawing from Baratta’s successful 35 year movie career. His two critically acclaimed recordings, MUSIC IN FILM-THE REEL DEAL and MUSIC IN FILM -THE SEQUEL, and their latest recording, LOOKING BACK, which takes a look at iconic rock classics from the mid 60’s are featured. Incorporate numerous original compositions and what you have are brilliantly arranged, mostly familiar and absolutely swinging affairs with a fresh, unique approach and a funky Latin Jazz feel. This is not just a cover band. Cover bands, as popular as they often are with audiences, always benefit from the inclusion of new and exciting music that appeals to the complete strata of discerning listeners. Gotham City is that group. Do yourself a favor, check out this raucous, good-time, feel-good live band for any type of event. When not individually touring, the band consists of Vincent Herring or Craig Handy on saxophone, Paul Bollenback on guitar, Bill O’Connell on piano, Michael Goetz on bass, Paul Rossman on percussion, Richard Baratta drums, and vocalist Carroll Scott.
About the Performers
Richard Baratta has worn many hats over the decades: master drummer, Grammy nominee, film producer, musician, but his latest headwear takes us down a nostalgic road of classic rock and soul recordings from the mid to late 1960’s. Baratta returned to his original love, music, after a very successful 35 year career in the film business. With over 50 years of experience as a jazz drummer he enjoys the free flowing innovative sensibility that he applies to his work in the film industry. As 30 year member of the Directors Guild of America, as well as the Producers Guild of America, Baratta has worked on many Academy Award nominated films, including Donnie Brasco, The Wolf Of Wall Street, The Irishman, Joker, and others, Since 2020 Baratta has recorded five projects, most notably the album Music in Film featuring Grammy nominated track Chopsticks, with his current working band of Vincent Herring, Bill O’Connell, Paul Bollenback, Michael Goetz and Paul Rossman.
Vincent Herring is an American jazz saxophonist, flautist, composer, and educator. Known for his fiery and soulful playing in the bands of Horace Silver, Freddie Hubbard, and Nat Adderley in the earlier stages of his career, he now frequently performs around the world with his own groups and is heavily involved in jazz education. He has also appeared on stage or recordings with Dizzy Gillespie,[5] Horace Silver, Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Jack DeJohnette’s Special Edition, Freddie Hubbard, James Carter, Larry Coryell, Steve Turre, the Mingus Big Band, Billy Taylor, Nancy Wilson, Kenny Barron, Roy Hargrove, Arthur Taylor, Carla Bley, Mike LeDonne, Eric Alexander, Wallace Roney, Carl Allen, Bobby Watson, Gary Bartz, Sonny Fortune, Cyrus Chestnut, Jeremy Pelt, Joe Farnsworth, and the Phil Woods Sax Machine[1] (a band augmenting Woods’ regular quintet to an octet with three additional alto saxophonists).
After a 40 year long career that has seen him excel as a leader, soloist, arranger, musical director, educator (professor at Rutgers University) and accompanist for some of the most celebrated names in jazz and Latin jazz, grammy nominated pianist Bill O’Connell can lay claim to a track record of challenging and artistic-diverse triumphs that few of his peers can match. Bill has displayed his versatility performing , writing and arranging for numerous jazz and latin jazz artists including Sonny Rollins, Chet Baker, Mongo SantaMaria, Dave Valentin, Gato Barbieri, Jerry Gonzalez as well as vocalists Jon Lucien, Astrud Gilberto and Kenny Rankin. He has recorded 17 CD’s as a leader including “A Change is Gonna Come” on the Savant label. “Bill O’Connell’s Savant recording ( A Change is Gonna Come) cements his place as a master of the broadest spectrum of musical styles, a giant of modern jazz and a member of Latin jazz royalty.” (Fye.com) Bill’s latest CD is “Bill O’Connell-Live in Montauk” (Savant, June 2023). Dan Ouellette writes, (Live in Montauk) “ …is fresh and energetic as the nearby crashing waves…” . This CD was recorded as part of the Hampton’s Jazz Fest in 2021.
Paul Bollenback started his career in music in 1981, and has performed as a sideman with a wide range of jazz luminaries, including artists as diverse as Stanley Turrentine, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Steve Gadd, Gary Bartz, David “Fathead” Newman, Terri-Lyne Carrington, Joe Locke, Jack McDuff, James Moody, Jim Snidero, Charlie Byrd, Herb Ellis, Paul Bley, Geoffrey Keezer, Mike LeDonne, Carol Sloane, Gary Thomas, Grady Tate, and in the group East Meets Jazz with the renowned tabla virtuoso Sandip Burman, to name a few. He is known for his versatility, and also for an influential 20 year stint with jazz organist Joey DeFrancesco. Bollenback performs on over 80 recordings as a sideman, and has released 8 CD’s as a leader. A busy performance schedule has been augmented since the late ’90’s by steady jazz education duties at Columbia University, Queens College, and The New School. Bollenback is also a composer, who’s pieces have appeared on Joey DeFrancesco’s “Reboppin’” and on the “Jazz Times Superband” CD. His most recent recording, “Portraits in Space and Time” (Mayimba Music), with his trio, was released in 2014. Paul Bollenback resides in the New York City area.
Thank you for your support!
Leadership Support for the Lot of Strings Concert Series is provided by Will and Mary Leland and Lot of Strings founding donor, F. Gary Knapp.
Support for the Back Deck Concert Series is provided by Gary’s Wine & Marketplace and Morris County Tourism Bureau, a Division of the Morris County Economic Development Alliance.
Back Deck Visitor Information and Guidelines
Attendees must bring their own chairs and are welcome to bring refreshments. Tickets are $63 for an 8’x8’ block that accommodates up to two patrons or $33 for a block that accommodates one. There is a $3 handling fee per block included in the price. Concerts begin at 7:30 PM. Patrons are welcome to arrive as early as 6:30 PM to enjoy their picnics. In the event of inclement weather, outdoor performances will be held in the Museum’s Bickford Theatre, general admission. For assistance and to make purchases by phone, call the box office at 973-971-3706.
About the Back Deck
Since launching in July 2020, The Back Deck has presented over 72 performances of critically acclaimed artists, welcomed more than 11,000 patrons, and received critical praise from local and national media. The series has presented established artists and rising stars with several ensembles going on to receive national acclaim. Now an established part of the regional cultural landscape, the Museum’s elevated parking deck has become known for elegant tailgates and world-class music each summer.
