Meet Adam Bartczak | Trombonist, Composer, and Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Adam Bartczak and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Adam, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
Born and raised in Denver!  I was late to the first day of band in 4th grade.  I wanted to play the saxophone, but all that was left when I got there was a trombone.  My teacher, Rod Buckner (of the long-time local group Buckner Funk and Jazz) encouraged me and I took to it enough to continue playing…for the next 30+ years. Another local legend, Ron Miles, came to Morey Middle School when I was in 6th grade and taught all the band kids the B flat blues scale, a basic introduction to improvisation. That’s when I really became interested in music.  Ron, a lifelong personal mentor and friend, is now also my colleague at Metropolitan State University of Denver, where I teach jazz trombone and theory, among other music courses. He is a great example of one of the many older cats who encouraged me in my youth and who I now get to play with side by side (when I’m lucky).

Colorado has always had a vibrant music scene, especially for being a big square state in the middle of nowhere. Not close to either coast, but a convenient stopping point and crossroads for many traveling artists, it is an oasis in the American West that has hosted and spawned an incredible diversity of musicians over the years.  I grew up playing in home-grown jazz, rock, reggae, Afro-Cuban, and Dixieland bands, to name a few, and I can’t remember a time when there wasn’t a love for variety and experimental fusion of different styles.

While finishing a classical trombone performance degree at CU, Boulder, I joined a hip-hop/jazz band called Yo, Flaco! that was having lots of local and national success.  I stayed with the band, touring and recording for 5 years, which was incredibly fun. Many great memories from that era, and lots of connections made with other Colorado musicians I still work with today.

But I decided I ultimately wanted to compose more music and teach college, so I moved to Boston to attend the New England Conservatory.  I’m lucky to have spent most of my life in Colorado, but it was a great experience to live in another, very different part of the country for a few years.  Gigs were hard to come by in Boston, essentially a huge college town where the young and hungry will play for peanuts, making the competition fierce.

When my wife and I decided to move back after having our daughter, I was immediately offered a handful of gigs in Colorado, mostly by people I knew growing up here, but also by many new connections, which I still maintain. I finished another degree and taught at UNC, Greeley while playing in jazz, salsa, and rock bands.  The connections I had made over the years allowed me to establish my own groups, including The Republic, a 20-piece band with whom I recorded an album and still play with regularly.

Today, probably 90% of the people I know and work with in Colorado are not from here–the opposite of what it was like growing up.  But Colorado has maintained that inclusive, diverse, forward-looking attitude and the artistic scene is stronger than ever. I still love being a part of it and knowing there are many bands, styles, and venues in Colorado I have yet to experience. There is plenty to see and do in the big square state.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I love writing music in addition to playing and teaching. The 20-piece big band I lead, The Republic, only performs a handful of times each year, as it’s difficult to organize that many people on a regular basis. I love composing for this band and the personalities in it. This group is unique in drawing not just from the rich history of jazz, but from all the other styles I have experienced, including salsa, hip-hop, rock, world music styles, etc.

The 5-piece group I lead, The Democracy, includes more artistic input from all the musicians (as the name implies) and is a great venue for improvisation and experimentation, not to mention a fun hang. It’s more of a family, where our ‘rehearsals’ include as much good food and drink as music.

Anybody working in the music business for any length of time will tell you it’s a challenging field with lots of uncertainty. There has to be a willingness to do it for the love much of the time, regardless of the financial incentive (or lack thereof). Above all, it represents the ultimate lesson in people skills and forming relationships. If you can’t work well with others, you won’t work, regardless of how great an artist you are.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Red Rocks. Seeing any show there is a life-changing experience, it’s truly the greatest venue on earth.  There are many other great music venues in the Denver area.  I’m partial to the jazz club Dazzle, as I play and see shows there often. Always lots of great touring shows at Mission Ballroom, The Fillmore, Ogden, Bluebird, and Gothic Theaters. And smaller places like Appaloosa, The Muse in Lafayette, and Local 46 host a huge variety of local talent almost every night of the week.

As far as food, I love the little out of the way gems Denver has to offer.  La Loma is a great Mexican restaurant downtown with awesome rellanos and margs. Jerusalem near DU is a staple, as are U.S. Thai, India Oven, and My Brother’s Bar. Many great breweries in the area, some of my favorites are Avery in Boulder, Odd 13 in Lafayette, Four Noses, and Station 26. I use my kids as an excuse to visit Casa Bonita often and am psyched the South Park guys are taking over and upping its game!

Lakeside Amusement Park is another family favorite and an unchanged time capsule from my childhood. Haven’t visited Meow Wolf yet, but the original in Santa Fe is amazing, looking forward to that. Denver’s museums are top rate too: Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Denver Art Museum, and Wings Over the Rockies.

All this is just in the Denver area.  Lots to do in the mountains and elsewhere in Colorado too. I spend a lot of time outdoors, skiing, hiking, and biking, which I know is a huge draw to people moving to and visiting this great state.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost, my family for their love and support over many years of ups and downs trying to make it in the music industry. Mentors like Ron Miles, Rod Buckner, my high school band teacher Scott Springer and all the great teachers I have had in Colorado and elsewhere. Schools I have attended and taught at, including CU, New England Conservatory, UNC, Metro State University of Denver, and Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts. And certainly people who support live music, which I why we’re able to do what we do.

Website: https://adambartczak.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milehitbone

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adam.bartczak.12/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCETNC2GlfIsH7hi9KG4IWug