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Bruce Masterson

Jazz listener, lover, and sometimes (gulp) wannabe musician

About Me

The balance of group and individual, of vision and sound, is what makes jazz special. The group plays together, yet each one has a unique, foundational role. Each musician listens to the others, responds to them and lifts them. Any one may also have a turn (or more) to step out as an individual and explore the boundaries of song, sound, and group cohesion.

I long to listen, enjoy, and hopefully perform jazz that meets the above parameters. It's a work in progress and I fear, even I live to be 150 years old, one I will never achieve. That doesn't mean the journey won't be a thrill to experience.

My Jazz Story

The first jazz album I really liked was Take Five by the Dave Brubeck Quartet. "Take Five," sold me. It was exciting, playful, shifting, artsy, adventurous, smart, swinging, and crisp. Like the album, that tune was a picture in sound: group sound, yet individual sound, too.