Combine the melodies and lyricism that made many a folk artist famous with the unbridled energy of 30s-era jazz bands, and you have a close approximation of the music created by Cleveland-native Harry Bacharach. Whether he's performing on stage or kneading dough, Bacharach is a shining example of the everyman brilliance that fuels the artistic spirit of the Northeast Ohio community. He is humble and passionate, quick to give credit where it's due; a realist with a sense of humor, and one heck of a musician.
Around the time Bacharach's interest in music was coming into full bloom, he was also proofing doughs. As a teenager, Bacharach logged hours at Better Bagels in Cleveland Heights before he and a friend headed for the West Coast. The pair, who bonded in Taylor Academy detention, duetting on "Find the Cost of Freedom" by Crosby, Still and Nash, took their neo-psych rock outfit to Eugene, Oregon, before Bacharach moved to the East Coast, landing in Brooklyn. "It's a lot easier to make the music scene here than in New York City, that's for sure," says Bacharach.
When September 11 happened, Bacharach returned home full-time, where he again found himself working dough at the newly opened On The Rise Artisan Breads in Cleveland Heights, where he's worked for the past eight years. "I had actually just moved back to Cleveland then, and a friend told me that they were looking for bakers," says Bacharach. "I've been a baker since I was 15, so it was a great fit." However, the music never stopped calling.
"I started playing piano as a kid, and ukulele – there's a picture of me playing my grandpa's ukulele when I was three," says Bacharach. "I've always enjoyed it, taking piano lessons, singing in the choir. It's always been fun for me to string together chords on the piano and add lyrics."
He fondly recalls listening to the pitch-perfect harmonies on his folk's Simon and Garfunkel LPs, and being exhilarated by his grandfather's Benny Goodman recordings. "I've always liked jazz, but when we moved to New York, I really got into it a lot," says Bacharach. "I hadn't really been playing much piano at that time, as I'd been playing bass since I was 15 until I was 25. I've really only been back at the keys for eight years."
Bacharach has made notable strides since then, and he's had a noted group of jazz mentors in Cleveland guiding him all the way. He speaks highly of renowned percussionist Jamey Haddad, who helped record record Velvet Tango, which was recorded live in the back room of the Velvet Tango Room. "[Jazz violinist] Lev Polyakin didn't even want money for it," says Bacharach of the recording session. "I think I gave him some bread and a bottle of bourbon, and he was totally satisfied." Bacharach is also quick to note the invaluable contributions of musicians Josh Rzepka, Jim Cirillo and Clayton Vaughn, whom he regularly plays with. "These guys are teaching me a lot," he says. "Here I am trying to delve into jazz, and not that knowledgeable about it, as I'm coming from more of a folk background."
When it comes to the keys, Bacharach has great appreciation for Jackie Warren and Joe Hunter. "They're great pianists in town that I get to hang with, and they teach me," says Bacharach. "It's awesome." He feels blessed to have discovered the Velvet Tango room, having wandered in there on a cold Thursday evening three years ago, when he and one other gentleman were the sole clientele. The other patron recognized Bacharach from previous gigs, and encouraged him to take a seat behind the VTR's piano. He's been playing there ever since. "They're real sweet people," says Bacharach. "It's an amazing place to not only play, but also to say you play. I love it - are you kidding?"
His latest release will be the Live at Cain Park DVD. The performance was filmed in June by Tom Kondilas and the crew of LESS Productions, who also directed the feature film PolyCultures: Food Where We Live about sustainable agriculture. Joining Bacharach on stage for the hour-long set was a four-piece horn section led by Rzepka, bassist, guitarist and drummer. "I don't know how I got a gig at Cain Park, but it was awesome," says Bacharach. The DVD will be previewed at the VTR on Monday, December 21 at 6 pm, with special happy hour pricing and hors d'oeuvres. Bacharach promises to perform, pulling a few tricks out of his sleeve to illustrate a point. "I don't want to get pigeonholed into getting called jazz," says Bacharach. "What I do is called heavy easy listening."
To purchase Harry Bacharach Velvet Tango, click here. Below Bacharach performs "Baby Head Face" from Live at Cain Park.
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