about
Harry Bartlett is an award winning guitarist and composer whose work blends elements of jazz, classical, and bluegrass music. Following the success of his debut album Wildwood, which was praised as "thoughtful, impressionistic, and cinematic" (LA Jazz Scene), Harry relocated to Nashville to immerse himself in traditional folk music. He has since performed and recorded alongside Bela Fleck, Tray Wellington, and Chris Eldridge, which have greatly influenced his evolution as both a guitarist and a composer.
Harry makes a statement as a bandleader with his latest project, Mountain Air which showcases his personal guitar style and a deepening connection to acoustic music. While the album retains a foundational approach to jazz improvisation, it also offers clear shades of bluegrass, old-time, and folk influences. His original compositions are presented with a “delicacy combining classical, string band, and jazz elements.” (The Whole Note). Recorded with the support of the Suba Institute, Harry worked alongside prominent Canadian jazz musicians, including bassist Andrew Downing and violinist Aline Homzy.
His first project, Wildwood, was composed and recorded over a 6 month period on Gambier Island BC. The rugged, isolated character of the BC coast permeate this record lending qualities of reverence and peace. “Bartlett is more than a guitarist, or even a composer: he’s a director… Every track serves a purpose, evokes a feeling, or tells a story.” (Rhythm Changes)
In addition to performing regularly across North America, Harry has led several workshop series focused on composition and improvisation, drawing on his cross genre experiences to support emerging musicians in their creative development. These have been presented at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra School of music, high school classrooms across Canada, and through several online seminars. His work as both an educator and a performer reflects a commitment to musical exploration, collaboration, and community.
Harry holds a Bachelor of Music degree with honours from the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music and studied at the School for Improvisational Music in Brooklyn, NY. He is the recipient of the Suba Institute Award for Performance Excellence, the Mary Alice Stuart Jazz Scholarship, the TD Niagara Jazz Festival’s “Jazz for the Ages” Award, and a “Neo-Traditional” award from the Clifftop Appalachian String Band Festival. He has received multiple grants from the Canada Council for the Arts and the FMUA to support his work as a composer and bandleader.
Listen
“Mountain Air is contemplative and Exquisite ... presented with a delicacy combining classical, string band and jazz elements.”
“Harry Bartlett presents Wildwood with intention. Every track serves a purpose, evokes a feeling, or tells a story.”
“Wildwood is an utterly compelling record that deserves repeated listening.”
“Wildwood is rooted in the jazz tradition but its music transcends a single genre. The trio has developed a strong rapport vividly captured on the new edition.”
“Harry Bartlett’s music is imaginative and worth hearing.”
“The Harry Bartlett Trio is an encouraging look into the future of the Canadian jazz scene. Harry is a creative and sophisticated composer already and simply put, plays the guitar at a very high level.”
“Wildwood is an extraordinarily creative and finely detailed listening experience.”
“Bartlett’s style is rooted in American folk and Western music sounds, but it also embraces jazz and improvisation. A fine and engaging set of tunes.”
“Where impressionistic scenes alternate with the necessary unrest.”
“Wildwood is thoughtful, impressionistic, and cinematic.”
“The Harry Bartlett Trio come together for this exciting jazz listen that meshes folk and Western ideas into the improvised landscape. Bartlett and company mesmerize us through a very meticulous record.”
“All the tunes have an atmospheric quality that is enhanced by the trio’s empathic playing. Wildwood is an engaging and beautiful.”