Live at Red Clay Theatre (2017)
."Let's get the obvious out of the way first - this is not progressive rock. It is, however, fusion, and we generally land fusion under prog. This live instrumental album is a real treat. It has a lot of varying flavors and moods, some exceptional musicianship and some great grooves. All of that contributes to an exceptional listening experience for people who dig fusion".
Gary Hill, Music Street Journal.
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"Guitarist Bill Hart has put together a band of killers. There is no weak link in the bunch. He has released several acclaimed albums in a Jazz-Funk-Fusion style. Live at Red Clay Theatre is his 2018 release on Blujazz Productions and is brilliantly produced and marvelously executed." Travis Rogers Jr, The Jazz Owl.
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"Live at Red Clay Theatre is the latest album from the Bill Hart Band. The album was recorded live in Atlanta in 2017 and is the artist’s sixth release to date. This is my first exposure to the band. The sextet includes Bill Hart (guitar), Pat Strawser (keyboards), Alex McGinnis (saxophone), Dwayne Wallace (bass), Steven Walker (drums) and Emrah Kotan (percussion). All are excellent players and it is easy to hear from this performance how well they have gelled as a band." Jon Neudorf, Sea of Tranquility.
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Gary Hill, Music Street Journal.
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"Guitarist Bill Hart has put together a band of killers. There is no weak link in the bunch. He has released several acclaimed albums in a Jazz-Funk-Fusion style. Live at Red Clay Theatre is his 2018 release on Blujazz Productions and is brilliantly produced and marvelously executed." Travis Rogers Jr, The Jazz Owl.
_____________________
"Live at Red Clay Theatre is the latest album from the Bill Hart Band. The album was recorded live in Atlanta in 2017 and is the artist’s sixth release to date. This is my first exposure to the band. The sextet includes Bill Hart (guitar), Pat Strawser (keyboards), Alex McGinnis (saxophone), Dwayne Wallace (bass), Steven Walker (drums) and Emrah Kotan (percussion). All are excellent players and it is easy to hear from this performance how well they have gelled as a band." Jon Neudorf, Sea of Tranquility.
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Touch of Blue (2016)
I highly recommend this CD for any fans of electric guitars, drum and percussion sets, and bass guitars. Though BIll Hart takes the lead on each of the solos that appear throughout the tracks, each of these instruments are given opportunity to shine; one of the tracks (Not Now, Juangui) is named after the drummer .The band is comprised of talented individuals. Each track has a distinct feel, from the upbeat rock beat of Swamp People to the mellow and somber All I Know, the CD is an adventure. Each track usually follows the jazz format of playing a melody to establish a feel for the song, followed by allowing each member to throw in their solos.
David, Amazon Customer
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Atlanta, GA (January 28th, 2016) – Blue Canoe Records has released “Touch Of Blue”, the fifth album from epic guitar man Bill Hart. This bold, current effort fuses rock and bits of blues and jam-band to form a unique blend of Satriani-like soul.
Bill Hart was born and raised in Ontario, Canada and began playing guitar at the young age of nine years old. Influenced by the diverse guitar style of Jimi Hendrix, David Gilmour, and Jimmy Page, he came up playing non-traditional places like theaters where he performed “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and “Little Shop of Horrors”. Mr. Hart has studied under master guitarists such as Mike Stern, Wayne Krantz and Scott Henderson and has been the head of the guitar department at the Atlanta Institute of Music & Media for over 25 years. He has opened for jazz greats Herbie Hancock, Marcus Miller, Lou Rawls, Yellow Jackets, Acoustic Alchemy, Joey Defrancesco, Norman Brown, Rippingtons and Mike Stern among others. Touring all over Latin America, Mr. Hart was awarded a letter from the U.S. Embassy in Venezuela for his contribution to the students in South America.
“Touch Of Blue” opens with a haunting guitar melody that is answered by Pat Strawser’s chiming piano calls. Soon, Mr. Hart and Enrico Galetta’s singing bass are engaged in a back and forth conversation and “Deep Skies” is off to the races. Set on the frame of
Jaungui Aguayo’s driving rock back-beat, “Deep Skies” is a five minute onslaught of non-stop energy.
“That’s Purdy” is a sassy number melting the established rock beat with pure funk overtones. Jazzy piano interjections, a funky rhythmic feel and Mr. Hart’s patented rock guitar are the perfect follow up to “Deep Skies”. The middle of the song opens up and
the keyboard takes a solo that matches Hart’s intensity and the melody soars as piano and guitar trade reflective musings.
“Touch of Blue” is an intelligent, no nonsense adventure that cuts to the quick and gives a modern perspective on rock fusion. Bill Hart releases the hounds and the listener is guaranteed a wild ride through a kaleidoscope of sound, texture and pulse. Take a ride
with Bill Hart’s “Touch Of Blue” today...this one is not to be missed.
David, Amazon Customer
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Atlanta, GA (January 28th, 2016) – Blue Canoe Records has released “Touch Of Blue”, the fifth album from epic guitar man Bill Hart. This bold, current effort fuses rock and bits of blues and jam-band to form a unique blend of Satriani-like soul.
Bill Hart was born and raised in Ontario, Canada and began playing guitar at the young age of nine years old. Influenced by the diverse guitar style of Jimi Hendrix, David Gilmour, and Jimmy Page, he came up playing non-traditional places like theaters where he performed “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and “Little Shop of Horrors”. Mr. Hart has studied under master guitarists such as Mike Stern, Wayne Krantz and Scott Henderson and has been the head of the guitar department at the Atlanta Institute of Music & Media for over 25 years. He has opened for jazz greats Herbie Hancock, Marcus Miller, Lou Rawls, Yellow Jackets, Acoustic Alchemy, Joey Defrancesco, Norman Brown, Rippingtons and Mike Stern among others. Touring all over Latin America, Mr. Hart was awarded a letter from the U.S. Embassy in Venezuela for his contribution to the students in South America.
“Touch Of Blue” opens with a haunting guitar melody that is answered by Pat Strawser’s chiming piano calls. Soon, Mr. Hart and Enrico Galetta’s singing bass are engaged in a back and forth conversation and “Deep Skies” is off to the races. Set on the frame of
Jaungui Aguayo’s driving rock back-beat, “Deep Skies” is a five minute onslaught of non-stop energy.
“That’s Purdy” is a sassy number melting the established rock beat with pure funk overtones. Jazzy piano interjections, a funky rhythmic feel and Mr. Hart’s patented rock guitar are the perfect follow up to “Deep Skies”. The middle of the song opens up and
the keyboard takes a solo that matches Hart’s intensity and the melody soars as piano and guitar trade reflective musings.
“Touch of Blue” is an intelligent, no nonsense adventure that cuts to the quick and gives a modern perspective on rock fusion. Bill Hart releases the hounds and the listener is guaranteed a wild ride through a kaleidoscope of sound, texture and pulse. Take a ride
with Bill Hart’s “Touch Of Blue” today...this one is not to be missed.
This Is Why (2009)
From Atlanta, Georgia, Bill Hart brings us This is Why, an eclectic guitar-centered fusion album of original compositions moving seamlessly between blues funk rock and jazz released on Blue Canoe Records. Bill Hart flashes his chops on the guitar, along with Mike Stern (guitar) on the title track. The album includes: Randy Hoexter (piano/keys), Sam Skelton (sax), Joe Chalden, Jef Van Veen, Tom Knight and Charles Marvray on drums, bassists Joe Reeda, Gary Wilkins and Enrico Galetta, with percussionists Chip Lunsford and Asha Ahla. The combinations on This is Why deliver a powerful musical mix.
If you are a fan of fusion and groove-based jazz you will certainly enjoy this album. Bill Hart and his talented line-up do not fail to deliver over styles ranging from upbeat-funk to laid-back blues. As a whole the album has a solid set of arrangements. Most of the songs are based around a central groove with the solos wandering away and then coming back to restate the thematic melody. This gives each song a very organic feel. The cyclic nature can seem a bit repetitive at times, but it guarantees that the catchy phrases will stick in your head while resetting your ears for the next solo.
The opening track “Anna Banana,” dedicated to his daughter, has a sweet out-going melody that you will undoubtedly catch yourself humming, there is a cool harmonics and fretless bass combo in “Canadese Africano” that segues to “On my way home” featuring a unique fretless guitar solo with distortion driven riffs charging the song near the end. A shout out to Bill Hart’s previous album is included with “Watch the Sky” ending with a two-song groove conversation between “What’s Next” and “You’re Next.”
The album is a great showcase of Bill Hart’s ability as a composer and player. Be sure to check out his profile at http://www.myspace.com/billhartmacup for videos and new releases.
Evan Kepner, No Treble, May 18th, 2009
https://www.notreble.com/buzz/2009/05/18/bill-hart-this-is-why/
If you are a fan of fusion and groove-based jazz you will certainly enjoy this album. Bill Hart and his talented line-up do not fail to deliver over styles ranging from upbeat-funk to laid-back blues. As a whole the album has a solid set of arrangements. Most of the songs are based around a central groove with the solos wandering away and then coming back to restate the thematic melody. This gives each song a very organic feel. The cyclic nature can seem a bit repetitive at times, but it guarantees that the catchy phrases will stick in your head while resetting your ears for the next solo.
The opening track “Anna Banana,” dedicated to his daughter, has a sweet out-going melody that you will undoubtedly catch yourself humming, there is a cool harmonics and fretless bass combo in “Canadese Africano” that segues to “On my way home” featuring a unique fretless guitar solo with distortion driven riffs charging the song near the end. A shout out to Bill Hart’s previous album is included with “Watch the Sky” ending with a two-song groove conversation between “What’s Next” and “You’re Next.”
The album is a great showcase of Bill Hart’s ability as a composer and player. Be sure to check out his profile at http://www.myspace.com/billhartmacup for videos and new releases.
Evan Kepner, No Treble, May 18th, 2009
https://www.notreble.com/buzz/2009/05/18/bill-hart-this-is-why/
Subject To Change (2008)
Guitarist Bill Hart's early training was fairly non-traditional. As a teenager, he spent time playing in theaters performing The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Little Shop of Horrors. Fascinated by the mathematical precision of music, Hart attended the Guitar Institute of Technology in Hollywood, California, graduating with honors. Hart has studied under master guitarists including Mike Stern, Steve Khan, Wayne Krantz and Scott Henderson, and his true joy comes from playing his original compositions. Bill Hart has opened for jazz greats including Herbie Hancock, Marcus Miller, Lou Rawls and Norman Brown.
Subject to Change ignites the fusion flame to explosive heights. Once again Hart collaborates with longtime friend and teacher Stern. This superb release combines jazz, blues, funk, rock and groove. The result is an uncompromising performance of nonstop stream electric guitar ecstasy.
"On My Way Home," leads the CD off with forceful rhythmic interaction between Hart and drummer Knight. The interaction between them is filled with sparked climaxes and fast-paced communication. Hart is a master of electric jazz, like contemporaries Pat Metheny and John McLaughlin; his solos are redolent of sustained tones and sliding phrases normally heard from horn players. However, in this ensemble there is the added bonus of power-driven sounds associated with rock.
"Sara's Song" is an emotionally emotive and musically rich piece inspired by Hart's eldest daughter and her journey into life. Born premature, Hart the diligent father stayed by her side for nine weeks in the hospital, bringing his guitar and writing music that ended up Watch the Sky (Orchard, 2001). Under the duress of uncertainty, "Sara's Song" is the most poignant cut on Subject to Change..
"What Are You Doing" features Stern, the two guitarists painting the sound canvas with brilliant and vivid colors, strokes of slick burning guitar lines and aggressive multi-phonic patterns. The chemistry between them is almost like the kinship of non-spoken understanding and deep appreciation that twins.
"Cerchi Nel Grano" ends the disc on an upbeat note. A syncopated, funky feel gives sections of open space for each musician to fully express their musical voices. Hart's searing guitar lines coupled, with drummer Charles Marvray's powerhouse backbeat and percussionist Ahsa Ahla, give this cut an almost African overtone. It's an appropriate choice for the closing words of a well-rounded, well-conceived project.
Subject to Change is a triumphant release, a blend of searing chops, engaging melodies and infectious grooves, enhanced by Stern's inspiring sound on "What Are You Doing" and "This Is Why." The album exemplifies Hart's verve for guitar-driven melodies and further establishes his place among the top fusion guitarists of today.
By Geannine Reid, April 4, 2008
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/subject-to-change-bill-hart-bhm-productions-review-by-geannine-reid.php
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Bill Hart is currently based in Atlanta, GA. He has been head of the guitar program at the Atlanta Institute of Music for fifteen years. Born and raised in Canada he began playing guitar at a very early age. His early influences were Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page. After hearing a jazz guitarist playing in a music store Hart decided to explore that intriguing style.
He attended Guitar Institute of Technology in Hollywood, California and graduated with honors. While there, Hart had the opportunity to study with Mike Stern, Steve Kahn and Wayne Krantz. He has opened for jazz greats such as Herbie Hancock, Acoustic Alchemy and Yellow Jackets. His style is similar to his mentors, but maintains its own unique voice.
This self-produced CD, Subject To Change I is a high energy fusion experience. It is comprised of all original compositions. Hart is a skilled composer as well as a solid guitarist in this genre. "On My Way Home" opens the set. His solos are technically sound, and his tone ranges from clean classic rock to John Scofield-like overdriven fusion.
Mike Stern makes a cameo appearance on "What Are You Doing." This tune has a bluesy funk feel. Stern also appears on "This is Why." Other titles include "Loose Gravel," "You're Next" and "Inside Out." Hart is joined by bassists Enrico Galetta and Gary Wilkins. Drummers are Tom Knight, Charles Marvray and Jeff Van Veen. Ahsa Ahia provides percussion on five tracks.
Fans of the fusion genre will enjoy this recording. Hart plays with great intensity and emotion and is a quality performer in this style.
Vince Lewis, Modern Guitars Magazine, March 31, 2008
Subject to Change ignites the fusion flame to explosive heights. Once again Hart collaborates with longtime friend and teacher Stern. This superb release combines jazz, blues, funk, rock and groove. The result is an uncompromising performance of nonstop stream electric guitar ecstasy.
"On My Way Home," leads the CD off with forceful rhythmic interaction between Hart and drummer Knight. The interaction between them is filled with sparked climaxes and fast-paced communication. Hart is a master of electric jazz, like contemporaries Pat Metheny and John McLaughlin; his solos are redolent of sustained tones and sliding phrases normally heard from horn players. However, in this ensemble there is the added bonus of power-driven sounds associated with rock.
"Sara's Song" is an emotionally emotive and musically rich piece inspired by Hart's eldest daughter and her journey into life. Born premature, Hart the diligent father stayed by her side for nine weeks in the hospital, bringing his guitar and writing music that ended up Watch the Sky (Orchard, 2001). Under the duress of uncertainty, "Sara's Song" is the most poignant cut on Subject to Change..
"What Are You Doing" features Stern, the two guitarists painting the sound canvas with brilliant and vivid colors, strokes of slick burning guitar lines and aggressive multi-phonic patterns. The chemistry between them is almost like the kinship of non-spoken understanding and deep appreciation that twins.
"Cerchi Nel Grano" ends the disc on an upbeat note. A syncopated, funky feel gives sections of open space for each musician to fully express their musical voices. Hart's searing guitar lines coupled, with drummer Charles Marvray's powerhouse backbeat and percussionist Ahsa Ahla, give this cut an almost African overtone. It's an appropriate choice for the closing words of a well-rounded, well-conceived project.
Subject to Change is a triumphant release, a blend of searing chops, engaging melodies and infectious grooves, enhanced by Stern's inspiring sound on "What Are You Doing" and "This Is Why." The album exemplifies Hart's verve for guitar-driven melodies and further establishes his place among the top fusion guitarists of today.
By Geannine Reid, April 4, 2008
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/subject-to-change-bill-hart-bhm-productions-review-by-geannine-reid.php
_____________________
Bill Hart is currently based in Atlanta, GA. He has been head of the guitar program at the Atlanta Institute of Music for fifteen years. Born and raised in Canada he began playing guitar at a very early age. His early influences were Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page. After hearing a jazz guitarist playing in a music store Hart decided to explore that intriguing style.
He attended Guitar Institute of Technology in Hollywood, California and graduated with honors. While there, Hart had the opportunity to study with Mike Stern, Steve Kahn and Wayne Krantz. He has opened for jazz greats such as Herbie Hancock, Acoustic Alchemy and Yellow Jackets. His style is similar to his mentors, but maintains its own unique voice.
This self-produced CD, Subject To Change I is a high energy fusion experience. It is comprised of all original compositions. Hart is a skilled composer as well as a solid guitarist in this genre. "On My Way Home" opens the set. His solos are technically sound, and his tone ranges from clean classic rock to John Scofield-like overdriven fusion.
Mike Stern makes a cameo appearance on "What Are You Doing." This tune has a bluesy funk feel. Stern also appears on "This is Why." Other titles include "Loose Gravel," "You're Next" and "Inside Out." Hart is joined by bassists Enrico Galetta and Gary Wilkins. Drummers are Tom Knight, Charles Marvray and Jeff Van Veen. Ahsa Ahia provides percussion on five tracks.
Fans of the fusion genre will enjoy this recording. Hart plays with great intensity and emotion and is a quality performer in this style.
Vince Lewis, Modern Guitars Magazine, March 31, 2008
Think About It (2005)
Think About It, the live DVD with songs from the CD of the same name and "Watch The Sky", from the Bill Hart Project, offers guitar, bass and drums expanding the horizons of instrumental jazz-fusion, with a heavy funk-rock back beat, staying deep in the pocket. Think Mike Stern or Steve Khan. with a twist of Jimi Hendrix and David Gilmore (Pink Floyd). Currently the head of the Guitar Department at the Atlanta Institute of Music, Hart is an ultra-tasty soloist, turning up the juice when required while demonstrating a mastery of 'playing the rests'. Studying with jazz legends such as Stern, Kahn, Scott Henderson and Wayne Krantz has honed Hart's phrasing, as evidenced on tracks such as "Crop Circles", "Ice Time" and "Simple Simon".
Guitar Nine
https://www.guitar9.com/thinkaboutitdvd.html
Guitar Nine
https://www.guitar9.com/thinkaboutitdvd.html