The Barsh Report April 2016

Upcoming performances:

Wednesday, May 11th, 2016 8:00 PM
Jesse Palter and Sam Barsh
The Jazz Showcase
806 S. Plymouth Ct, Chicago, IL 60605
Chicago, IL

Friday, May 13th, 2016 7:00 PM
Palter Ego
Brushes With Cancer 2016
Revel Fulton Market
Chicago, IL
http://brusheswithcancerchicago2016.splashthat.com/

Friday, June 17th, 2016 8:00 PM
Genr8r / Katalyst Double Bill
Center for the Arts Eagle Rock
Los Angeles, CA

Friday and Saturday, June 24th-25th, 2016 7:00 PM
Sam Barsh Band
The Roxy Hotel
New York, NY
featuring Jaimeo Brown, Jermaine Holmes (from D’angelo and the Vanguard) and other special guests

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Hola everybody, I admit it’s been a minute
Been stalling on this Barsh Report; now I can say I did it!
Not a huge accomplishment, but another one for the books
And the Barsh Report fiends can stop giving me dirty looks  (o;

Not sure where to begin, since I have a bunch of months to cover
Like familiarizing yourself again with a just-off-world-tour lover
I’ll guess I’ll start with the most recent news, then proceed to backtrack
Like a candidate on the debate stage podium (man these fools are wack)

My work made it back to the GRAMMYs this year, with 1 win out of 2 nominations
Kendrick Lamar’s “To Pimp a Butterfly” won Best Rap Album, but lost Album of the Year (amidst mild frustration)
Still this leaves me with zero complaining to do, I’m definitely proud and happy
To have made an album that got widespread attention without being corny or sappy

I’ve written songs on a number of other releases, ranging from ratchet to soulful to smart
The last 4 of which reached the top-5 on the Billboard R&B and Hip-Hop Charts

Anderson .Paak’s “Malibu” is a personal fave of mine
The 2 songs I co-wrote are “Heart Don’t Stand a Chance” and “Your Prime”
BJ the Chicago Kid’s “In My Mind” is diverse and fun
Logic’s “The Incredible True Story” debuted at #1

Ty Dolla $ign’s “Free T.C.” proves he’s anything but prude
And both Raury’s “All We Need” and Shana Halligan’s “Back To Me” evoke an intriguing mood
To help your pain of having no new music be assuaged
You can check these out and more on my website discog page:

http://sambarsh.com/Discography.html

On the jazz tip, I’m still keeping it real and going HAM
Some recent highlights included: Fully Altered’s NAMM Week Jam
A Chicago Xmas blowout show with Maurice Brown
And gigs with Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Zach Brock and Genr8r here in town

Kurt Rosenwinkel, Kyle Crane and I performed a special trio show
At my favorite spot in Silverlake, the name’s the Thirsty Crow
The double-bill with my trio Brandon Coleman’s band was off the chains
As was Kamasi Washington’s “65-92: The Rhythm Changes but the Struggle Remains”

Plus Vegas back in January with the Motherless Sons
Dan Delacruz, Ian Neville and Max McVeedy provided funk in tons

Things to look forward to include Sid Sriram’s debut EP
The music’s sounding great and we filmed a video recently
Sonreal, a Juno-nominated rapper who Canadians should know
Is set to release his new album stateside; they both have the chance to blow

(as in “up”, not “job,” just thought I’d clarify
because I’m not known for the cleanest mouth, I cannot lie)

OK OK OK I think I’ve gotten up to date
I’ve gotta get back to the grind, it’s starting to get late

Love,
Barsh

The Barsh Report, Summer 2015

Upcoming performances:

Sunday, June 28th, 2015 7:00 PM Sarah Reich's Tap Music Project Miles Playhouse Santa Monica, CA featuring Sarah Reich, Lee How, Danny Janklow, Aaron McLendon, and Jonathan Richards Tuesday, June 30th, 2015 8:00 PM Dontae Winslow and Winslow Dynasty Montreal Jazz Festival Montreal, Quebec Canada featuring Dontae Winslow, Mashica Winslow, Jedi Winslow, Miles Mosley and Gene Coye Wednesday, July 8th, 2015 8:00 PM Kyle Crane Birthday Celebration The Springs Los Angeles, CA featuring James McAlister, Daniel Lanois, Nathan Willett from Cold War Kids. Sam Barsh, Jim Wilson and Jose Perez Wednesday, July 22nd, 2015 8:00 PM Brenna Whitaker Capitol Records Showcase Los Angeles, CA Saturday, July 25th, 2015 8:00 PM Kamasi Washington Los Angeles, CA Wednesday, July 29th, 2015 8:00 PM Brenna Whitaker Gibson Showroom New York, NY

The Barsh Report, Summer 2015

Hello everyone, the summer’s now upon us!
Time to hike, sunbathe and swim (just please not in Gowanus)
I bought a new pair of shorts, and some short sleeve collared shirts
Though I’m still rocking hoodies and jeans most days (studio AC is so cold it hurts)

The first 6 months of the year have been a beautiful ride
Some successes and some setbacks, but I take it all in stride

In February, my work garnered 2 Grammy Awards and another nomination
Kendrick Lamar’s “I” was chosen as the Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance by the Grammy voting nation
In addition, we received a Best R&B album nomination for Aloe Blacc’s “Lift Your Spirit”
For anyone who hasn’t listened yet, I encourage you all to hear it

Kendrick’s full length album “To Pimp a Butterfly” was finally released
I think its an incredible body of work, to say the least
I co-wrote and played on the song “Institutionalized” which features Snoop Dogg, Anna Wise and Bilal
I’m very proud of the track, the lineup alone says it all

As those in the writing/production world know, its a field of both quality and quantity
These records that got released surely mean a lot to me
But they represent so many other songs and ideas that didn’t make it, which at times can feel lame
A lot of my best work will never see the light of day, but its all part of the game

Other exciting happenings from a couple months ago:

I did an interview for the website Musicians Corner, where I discuss the different phases of my career
Shout to Maria Asplund for making it happen, you can read it here:

http://www.musicians-corner.net/Sam-Barsh---As-a-lead-artist-I-would-have-to-commit-to-a-lifetime-of-touring/

Miguel Atwood-Ferguson’s live DVD taping at the Blue Whale was a truly inspiring show
If you haven’t checked him out yet, he’s an incredible violist/orchestator/composer whose career is primed to blow
The lineup featured some of my favorite players in LA, and anywhere, for real
Jamire Williams, Kamasi Washington, Dennis Hamm, Gabe Noel, Carlos Nino, Jeff Parker, Marcel Camargo, Josh Johnson, Dwight Trible and Jonathan Pinson; these cats can really deal

I played on a few tracks for Danny Janklow’s upcoming album, including one of my songs “The Roastmaster”
Danny’s a great saxophonist whose career is on the rise, and I hope it only grows faster
The album features Ben Williams, John Beasley, Jesse Palter, Jon Pinson, Ben Shepherd, Michael Mayo, Nick Mancini and Eric Reed
He is funding the album thru indiegogo, so you can help him grow his creative seed: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/danny-janklow-s-elevation-album

In May, on my birthday, I got to film a live video with new Capitol Records hip-hop artist SonReal
I’ve been writing and producing for his upcoming album, along with Rahki, Sid Sriram and DJ Khalil
Myself, Rahki and Ben Williams were part of the live band
Can’t wait to see the results, cuz the filming went better than planned

I hope everyone has a wonderful summer and fall
Saying goodbye for now, wishing prosperity and good health to all

Love,
Barsh

The Barsh Report January 2015

The Barsh Report January 2015
Upcoming Performances

Tuesday, January 27th, 2015 7:00 PM
Kyle Crane / Sam Barsh Duo
Salt's Cure
7494 Santa Monica Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA
Friday, February 27th, 2015 8:00 PM
Zach Brock Trio
Port Richmond Jazz
Port Richmond, CA
http://prjazz.org/
Saturday, February 28th, 2015 7:00 PM
Zach Brock, Sam Barsh, Mark Ferber, Danny Janklow
Squashed Grapes
2351 E Main St.
Ventura, CA
Tuesday, March 3rd, 2015 9:00 PM
Zach Brock, Sam Barsh, Mark Ferber
Blue Whale
123 Astronaut E S Onizuka Street
Los Angeles, CA
http://bluewhalemusic.com/



The Barsh Report Jan 2015 - Grammys, Soul Train Awards, Fall Recap


Welcome to 2015! (not that I'm the gatekeeper)
It's starting off fun and challenging, like an old-school game of minesweeper
I havent done a Report since August, I guess I dropped the ball
So I'll give a rhyming recap of what happened this fall

First on the docket, an exciting proclamation
My work in 2014 resulted in 3 Grammy nominations:

Best R&B album for Aloe Blacc's "Lift Your Spirit"
Best Rap Solo Performance and Best Rap Song for Kendrick Lamar's "I"

"Lift Your Spirit" was a true team collaboration
Helmed by DJ Khalil, one of the hottest in the nation
Shout to the other people who made the record what it is:
Dan Seeff, Danny Keyz, Chin Injeti, Jason Schweizer and others, some of the best in the biz

Kendrick Lamar's "I" was also an effort in the round
Five musicians in the studio for days re-creating the Isley Brothers sound
On the Rakhi-produced track, the old school vibe was ample
So much so that we fooled the press into thinking it was actually a sample

Rahki talks about the process here:  http://www.thefader.com/2014/10/16/beat-construction-rahki


These are the first Grammy Nominations of my career, in fact
Its very cool to be a part of some music that's made an impact

In addition to the Grammy's, something not to be ignored
I and the other writers of "The Man" were nominated for the Ashford and Simpson Songwriter's Award
At the 2014 Soul Train Awards.  And though we never made it to the podium
I was happy just to be nominated, not salty like sodium

Coming up next month, I'm reunited with an old collaborator
The man I did my first proper tour with, and now it's 12 years later
Lo and behold his career has blossomed, he's become a formidable force
As a jazz violinist throughout the world, I'm speaking of Zach Brock, of course

We'll be doing at least three shows in California, and possibly a fourth
We're looking to add one on February 26th (anyone with ideas? please send them forth)
Like a trio of figs, we have three sweet-ass gigs, in San Fran, Ventura and Los Angeles
We hope the tour's fate turns out to be great, unlike Godfather 2 Frank Pentangeli's

Wishing everybody a good start to the new year
Hit the ground running, stay positive, and don't succumb to fear.

Love, Barsh

The Barsh Report - August 2014

The Barsh Report - August 2014

Whatup to all my friends and neighbors!

Close upon us is the weekend of labor

School's about to start, so summer's remnants we gotta savor.

The beaches are still open, so pull out the body shaver

Take that last pill if you're a raver, play some tennis like Rod Laver

Get on that surfboard if you're a waver, or grab a waffle cone from 31 Flavors

Look at the bright side of fall's arrival-

Your sweaters and turtle necks will get a revival

Of NFL football we'll all get an eye-full

Airfare just got cheaper to visit Big Ben and the Tour Eiffel

And if you still need some summer, its always warm in LA

So join me and come west like Fievel

That being said, I'm headed back to New York for a 4-day spell

NYC, please be pleasant, not rainy or hot as hell

Cuz even though I get along without you very well

I enjoy traveling back to where I broke out of my shell

The reason for my trip is 2 shows with a new project I’ve mentioned before, called Van Ike

Our EP is finally done, after a year of flowing down the pike

It’s a cross between the dance music of the 70’s and 80’s, with some

Pharrell and Dwele soul

Spiced with some Hall and Oates and a modern twist, made into a tasty

musical sushi roll

We'll be making our East Coast debut at the James Hotel's Jimmy Pool

Party this coming Sunday

And 2 days later in Williamsburg at The Drink (we couldn't do just one day)

Exclusively for the Barsh Report: The first single off our upcoming

“Notes to Self” EP -

https://soundcloud.com/van-ike/never-wanted-to-love-you/s-jE2el?in=van-ike/sets/notes-to-self-ep/s-jE2el

Okay Player's feature on our cover of Jhene Aiko’s haunting hit “The

Worst” (free download)

http://www.okayplayer.com/news/van-ike-the-worst-mp3.html

In addition to that, I’ve been having a great summer

Carrying a lot of creative weight, like an 8-passenger Hummer

I had the pleasure of working with Kendrick Lamar on tracks for his upcoming release

There's more great ideas in that guy's head than tax-free money at Credit Suisse

Shout to Rahki who brought me in and produced the sessions

When you get to write with such great talent, you got to count your blessin's

In my continually inspiring work with DJ Khalil at his studio compound

A variety of great artists have come to write with us downtown

Bonnie McKee, Paloma Faith, A$AP Ferg, 21 Pilots, Raleigh Richie and Fashawn

Have all blessed us with their talents, sometimes working halfway till dawn

The new Macy Gray album "The Way" produced by my close friend Royal Z

Includes 5 songs I played on and 1 co-written by me

I also played on albums by Amanda Brecker and Ethan Tucker

Both produced by Mario C, who is a bad motherf$#%er

I mentioned it before, and I’ll say it again

It’s not a matter of if, just a matter of when

Sid Sriram, a new artist who I’ve been working with, is winding up his first recording

He consistently blows it up in the studio, and through the rubble i’m left to sorting

Ok that’s it for now, I hope to see my NY friends this weekend at one of the events

And for the rest of you, don’t get too drunk you forget to pay your rents (or mortgages)

Love,

Barsh

The Barsh Report - February 2014

The Barsh Report - February 2014 Upcoming Shows: Tuesday, February 18th, 2014 7:00 PM Jeff Parker, Sam Barsh, Kyle Crane Salt's Cure 7494 Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 323.850.7258 http://saltscure.com/ Special trio performance featuring guitarist Jeff Parker of Tortoise and the Brian Blade Fellowship 7-10:30 PM Reservations Recommended Wednesday, February 19th, 2014 8:00 PM Brenna Whitaker Vibrato Bel Air, CA Friday, February 21st, 2014 9:00 PM Miguel Atwood-Ferguson Group featuring Gabe Noel, Jamire Williams, Sam Barsh, Charles Altura Blue Whale 123 Astronaut E S Onizuka Street Los Angeles, CA

   

The granddaddy of all Hallmark Holidays has arrived here yet again

I hope you all get to spend it with your version of a perfect ten

And for those of you without a flame, a lone rooster or hen

Ain’t nothin wrong with some whiskey and a binge-watch of Mad Men

My Valentines day will be spent at West Hollywood’s House of Blues

At a private gala put on by Gene Simmons, one of music’s most infamous Jews

Brenna Whitaker’s band is the entertainment for the event, with a set to shake your bones

We’ll be performing with a number of stars, including Natasha Bedingfield, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and the legendary Tom Jones.

I’ve been in the studio with Brenna producing some songs, for which I’m becoming sonically smitten

And tomorrow’s event will be the live premier of “Sugar Daddy,” the brand new song we’ve written

In other songwriting news, 2 projects I wrote on are continuing to cruise:

Aloe Blacc’s “The Man” keeps working its way into peoples’ hearts

It is currently the #17 song in America on the Billboard Hot 100 charts

And it’s been in the top 10 on all of iTunes for weeks, peaking at #2

Staying busy in the studio writing more is all this makes me wanna do.

Robin McKelle and the Flytones new album “Heart of Memphis” was released last month overseas

For now it’s only available Europe and the UK, like Peugeot cars and mushy peas

Robin traveled to Memphis to record the album, which proved to be a worthwhile undertaking

The UK’s Independent calls it “A secret soul classic in the making.”  

Palter Ego was featured in BMI’s Indie Spotlight in January, which made us proud like Daft Punk’s mothers

A special shout out goes to Liesl Diesel ( http://liesldieselphoto.com ) who took this photo and a great batch of others

http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/indie_spotlight_palter_ego

The great trumpet player Dontae Winslow, who is currently featured on tour with Justin Timberlake and Jay-Z

Just dropped his brand new album which I played on, called “Enter The Dynasty” 

It features Chick Corea, Questlove, Dennis Chambers, and many others, a serious cast pound for pound

The track “2304 West North Ave” is the first acoustic jazz song i’ve played on to be released in a couple years, and I really dig the raw sound 

buy it here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/enter-the-dynasty/id814630536

This coming tuesday, I reunite with a great guitar stylist Jeff Parker

I played on his record “The Relatives” almost 10 years ago, when my beard hair was much darker

Jeff augments the regular tuesday night duo of me and Kyle Crane

So come by to Salt’s Cure if you’re LA-based, the tunes will be tastefully insane

Okay I’m off to get this V-day rolling

Have fun tonight, whether you’re drinking, dancing or bowling!

Love,

Barsh

The Barsh Report - Year End 2013

The Barsh Report - Year End 2013

Upcoming shows:

Every Tuesday night (starting January 7)

Kyle Crane / Sam Barsh duo

Salt's Cure

7494 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA

7-10:30pm  no cover

Saturday, January 4

JazzGene feat. Gene Coye, Sam Barsh and Dennis Hamm

The Blue Whale

123 Astronaut ES Onizuka St, Los Angeles, CA

9pm-midnight $10

Saturday January 11

Jacam Manricks Trio

CSU Bakersfield (Bakersfield, CA) 

Sunday, January 12

Jacam Manricks Trio

The Blue Whale

123 Astronaut ES Onizuka St, Los Angeles, CA

9pm-midnight $10

(links to all the records mentioned in this report will be listed at the end)

It's been quite a year in the world at large, things have gone both right and wrong

Different countries, different cities, some improving, some still shitty, separate sections of the same song

I've kept my ear to the pulse of what's happening, while keeping my project list long

Stayed focused, worked hard, kept my head on straight (mostly) and I'm rounding out 2013 strong

I currently write this from my hotel room in the Hawaiian Island of Lana'i

Where I'm doing a 2-week residency under a rainbow-laden sky

Oracle CEO Larry Ellison recently purchased this gorgeous land

And decided to bring out Verve recording artist Brenna Whitaker and her little Big Band

Hey, no doubt about it, I surely ain't complaining

Cuz a few gigs here in paradise is the opposite of draining

I've been spending tons of time in the studio, playing writing and producing

I'm enjoying working on a range of stuff, instead of one-thing-choosing

And amidst all the efforts which have been a mix of hard work and fun

A couple records I wrote on rode the charts to #1

"The Man" by Aloe Blacc, which I co-wrote with Aloe, Dan Seeff and DJ Khalil

Spent a week at #1 on the iTunes R&B chart, with its grandiose lyrics and lilting feel

The song didn't break the traditional "radio" way

But got exposed in commercials featuring Kevin Garnett and Colin Kaepernick for Beats by Dre

Khalil produced almost the entire album, and the results could be ground-breaking

It's definitely a record I enjoyed taking part in making

Shouts to Dan for introducing us, and for Khalil for bringing me into his stellar team

I have my own room in that studio now, out of which there shall come some hot steam

I wrote, played and vocal produced on "Between Two Evils" by Aubrey O'day

Which debuted at #1 on the iTunes Dance chart, and it sounds great I have to say

The producer of the majority of the record was Z Musik, whom I've worked with for years at this point

We've come a long way since working in his Brooklyn apartment when nobody gave 2 shits about our joints

Z's star is rising but his company's name is Humbled Soul, so I know his ego won't swell

We're collaborating on Macy Gray's new record, and some projects for Epic records' roster as well 

Robin McKelle released our song "Fairytale Ending" as a 45" single on Expansion records in the UK

And we co-wrote 3 joints for her forthcoming "Heart of Memphis" album, I'm stoked for that release day

Robin brought her band to Memphis to record where Al Green made his hits

The music sounds soulful and tasty, like freshly ground pepper on top of cheese grits.

DJ Captain Planet and I started a project called "Van Ike"

We've been friends since rooming together in Williamsburg on a street called Ten Eyck

The tracks are sounding hot, and receiving dope feedback so far

There's a lid on it now, but over the next couple months I'll be opening up the jar

In the visual department, I have been getting back into the jazz trio flow

And there's a video of one of my new tracks on youtube, the link is below

Palter Ego has a couple video ideas currently being planned

We're stoked to get the new stuff up, all i can say is that they won't be bland.

That's it for now; I'm stoked for New Years' and 2014 overall

I wish you the best of holiday time, try to have a (and not drop the) ball!

Love,

Barsh

Aloe Blacc "The Man" (from the "Wake Me Up" EP)

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-man/id723945671?i=723945749

Aubrey O'day "Between Two Evils" 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-man/id723945671?i=723945749

Robin Mckelle "Fairytale Ending"

http://www.juno.co.uk/products/robin-mckelle-the-flytones-fairytale-ending/504860-01/

Sam Barsh Trio "Clydesdales and Castles"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAuCMf14FzU

The Barsh Report - August 2013

The Barsh Report, August 2013

Upcoming Shows:

  

Thursday, August 15th, 2013 9:00 PM

Sam Barsh Trio feat. Hadrien Feraud

+ Brandon Coleman Group Double Bill

R G Club

2536 Lincoln Blvd

Venice, CA

Thursday, August 22nd, 2013 8:00 PM

Palter Ego - Duo Show

Next Door Lounge

1154 N Highland Ave

Hollywood, CA 90038

Thursday, September 12th, 2013 8:00 PM

Palter Ego -

Performance and Live Video Taping

Witzend Live

1717 Lincoln Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90291

Palter Ego performs a set in Venice, CA at Witzend live.

The performance will be videotaped, so come and make some noise!

It's been a while since the last Barsh report, and things have thank'fully gone well

The weather's been the same in LA for the last 5 months, not cold as ice or hot as hell

Musically and lifewise I am in a solid place

But you can't stay still for long, lest you get egg upon your face

I sold my apartment in Brooklyn after 10 years in the borough

I was happy and content with it, not at all filled with sorrow

3 months after my 20th bday I arrived with naivete and drive

Got my ass kicked a few times but that just made me harder strive

My 20's went by with alot of goals met, but I've devised a new set, so the hustlin' ain't done yet

Now I'm fully LA based, for that i'm "totally stoked, brooo"

Mixing outdoor fun and sun with an ever-growing workflow

So what has this hat-collecting bowtie wearing chap been doing?

Some good stuff I shall tell you, cuz i'm amped about what's brewing

Over the last 3 months I've been in the studio alot:

I collaborated with Aloe Blacc for his upcoming Interscope release

DJ Khalil produced, I helped write songs and played some keysss

I'm also working with Mark Ballas playing in his newish band

And writing songs for his in-process record, with production by the camp of Timbaland

He was Clearchannel's artist to watch, and recent signee to BMG

Mark's future's looking bright and he's become a friend to me

Captain Planet is a great DJ/Producer and my first roommate in New York

We reconnected in LA and just finished collabing on new work

2 songs are done, with remixes coming down the pipeline

We don't yet have a name, but that should soon appear in our sightline

Collaborated with producer Z Musik on the new album by Aubrey O'day

Co-wrote a track, produced vocals, and keyboards I did play

I've done 2 sessions recording some new Sam Barsh band material

Keys bass and drums, with an organic acoustic touch, funky not etherial

Hadrien Feraud, Gene Coye, Gabe Noel and Kyle Crane are on it so far

I'll be leaking a couple songs soon, like oil from an old car

Palter Ego has been in the planning stages of a promotional campaign

The lid's on tight for now, but soon we'll pop it open like champagne

We're doing a couple shows soon, about that I do not kid, yo

And at the witzend show in september, we'll be recording for live video!

On the production side, Kosha Dillz and Adrian Hibbs have been coming to the spot

Kosha is about to tour with Matisyahu, repping a set that's hot

We've gotten 2 songs done and now I need to make some beats

So he can have an EP to spread to fans on tour and in the streets

That's the straight juice for now, I just downloaded the Simpson's arcade game for my phone so I'm gonna go play it- as Bart says, "Don't have a cow"

Love,

Barsh