Bruce Gertz Quintet: "Octopus Dreams" (2025) CD Review

Bruce Gertz is a bass player and composer with an impressive resume that not only includes work as a bandleader and performances with such artists as Dave Brubeck and Larry Coryell, but also as an author of several books and a contributing editor of Bass World, a magazine for bass players. His new album, Octopus Dreams, features all original material. The Bruce Gertz Quintet is made up of Bruce Gertz on double bass, Phil Grenadier on trumpet and flugelhorn, Rick DiMuzio on tenor saxophone, Gilson Schachnik on piano, and Gary Fieldman on drums.

The album opens with "Power Walk," which has a strangely unsettling sound or tone, keeping us from immediately settling into it but also keeping us intrigued. It is the bass lead that gives us a greater access point, and that comes along fairly soon, approximately a minute in. Bruce delivers some really cool work here, and that bass lead is what gets me loving this track. Phil Grenadier then takes over, and there is a joy, an excitement to his work. That is in turn followed by a saxophone lead by Rick DiMuzio, over a good groove that may get you tapping your feet. There is some warmth to the saxophone lead. The track returns to that somewhat dissonant sound before the end. "Power Walk" is followed by the album's title track, "Octopus Dreams." I've always found octopuses to be fascinating creatures, and the album's title and cover are part of what initially drew me to this release. This track creates an interesting mood. Phil Grenadier's flugelhorn playing has something of a fluid feel, gliding and moving over the rhythm, and I can imagine an octopus dancing, its partner the water itself, the motion of the sea determining the direction of the dance. This track also features some wonderful work by Gilson Schachnik on piano. There is a lively aspect to it at times, the energy seeming to build, and then suddenly relaxing as Bruce Gertz steps forward on bass. There is an almost magical sense to that lead on bass, taking us through an unfamiliar but beautiful underwater realm. 

The ocean remains in our thoughts then as "Sea Worthy" begins, and it feels we are casting off, setting off on a possible adventure in that opening section. There is nothing ominous about it, but rather there is a joyful sort of excitement. And less than a minute in, Bruce takes a lead spot on bass, captaining the ship and keeping things moving. Rick then takes over with his saxophone, and it is then that we begin to feel we are dancing on the waves, Gary Fieldman's drumming giving us a sense of waves splashing against the boat. Phil then raises things a notch or two during his lead. None of this track's leads is all that long. There is a special energy to Gilson's lead on piano, driving things forward for a time, before then pulling back, once again relaxing. Toward the end the drums emerge, the first drum solo of the album, and interestingly the track ends with that solo. Then "Mr. Z" takes us into mellower, soothing, contemplative territory, yet with a lightness at times, particularly in Phil's work, which is wonderful. There is a touch of the magical realm in Gilson's lead on piano, particularly at the start, pushing back the veils. Rick's lead then dances upon the flowers, upon the air, and Bruce takes us into the evening with his brief lead.

The quintet changes gears then with "I'm Busy," which has a livelier, more cheerful sense to it. There is a sense of motion, of action, though not necessarily haste. Rather the rhythm speaks of a population with things to do. The drumming maintains that feeling, even as the saxophone digs in and seems eager to push on to another level. The horn then rises, ready to lead us to some special place of its own creation, and we have no doubts that it is able to do so. The piano, as its lead emerges, is dancing, which is delightful, and that instrument still has things to say when Bruce takes his spot leading on bass. His is a short lead, and soon we are treated to a drum solo, broken into short sections. Everything comes together at the end, a warm dance. That's followed by "Redacted," which has quite a welcoming opening moment, perhaps surprising for a piece with that title. I suppose I'm not alone in thinking of subterfuge and dishonesty when reading that word, or at least a lack of openness. But this music doesn't feel that it is hiding anything. In fact, there seems to be an eagerness to share, especially heard in Phil's work. That's followed by "Opening," the album's final track. I appreciate the album closing with a track titled "Opening." What is it they say, one door opens as another closes? There is a sweet vibe to this piece, leaving us feeling good. What more can we ask?

CD Track List

1. Power Walk
2. Octopus Dreams
3. Sea Worthy
4. Mr. Z
5. I'm Busy
6. Redacted
7. Opening

Octopus Dreams was released on August 15, 2025.