Sam Barsh

Sam Barsh (born 1981) is an American songwriter, keyboardist and record producer. He has worked in the genres of jazz, R&B, hip hop and pop.

Biography

Barsh was born in Chicago, IL, and began playing piano at the age of 4.[1] He attended New Trier High School in Winnetka, IL[2] and William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey.[3] Barsh moved to New York City in 2001 and currently resides in Los Angeles.[4]

Career

From 2003-2006 Barsh was a member of the band of bassist Avishai Cohen, with whom he toured the world extensively.[5] Barsh appears on Cohen's albums At Home[6] and Continuo,[7] and the live album/DVD As Is...Live at the Blue Note.[8]

Between 2008 and 2011, Barsh released three albums as a leader: the independently released Live! and Live Vol. II, and I Forgot What You Taught Me on Razdaz Recordz.[9]

Along with vocalist Jesse Palter, Barsh founded the electronic pop group Jesse Palter and the Alter Ego, (later renamed Palter Ego), in 2009.[10] The group has released 2 EPs and two albums.[11]

In 2013, Barsh co-wrote "The Man" for Aloe Blacc's album Lift Your Spirit. The song reached #1 on the UK Singles Chart, and #8 on the Billboard Hot 100, and was certified platinum by the RIAA,[12] selling over 2.5 million copies in the US.[13]

Barsh played keyboards on the 2014 Kendrick Lamar song "i", which received the award for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song at the 2015 Grammy Awards.[14] He composed and played keyboards on the song Institutionalized on Lamar's Grammy-winning 2015 album To Pimp a Butterfly.

In 2016, Barsh co-wrote and played on the songs "Heart Don't Stand a Chance" and "Your Prime" for Anderson .Paak's Grammy-nominated breakthrough album Malibu, and co-wrote "Man Down" for BJ the Chicago Kid's Grammy-nominated album In My Mind.[15] In 2017, Barsh co-wrote Logic's Black Spiderman, which won an MTV Video Music Award for "Best Fight Against the System" and was certified Gold by the RIAA.[16]

Barsh has performed with Babyface, Bobby McFerrin, Boyz II Men, Branford Marsalis, Bruno Mars, Cassandra Wilson, Common, David Foster, Debbie Friedman, Emily King, Estelle, Fred Wesley, Gene Simmons, Gregory Porter, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Kiran Ahluwalia, Large Professor, Lonnie Plaxico, Mark Ballas, Mino Cinelu, Natasha Bedingfield, Quadron, Ravi Coltrane, Rez Abbasi, Robin Eubanks, Roy Hargrove, Stevie Wonder, The Brand New Heavies, and Tom Jones.[17][18]

Discography

1999
  • Song For Tomorrow - Sam Barsh (As Sam Bar-sheshet) (composer, piano, keyboard)

2004
  • At Home - Avishai Cohen Trio and Ensemble (composer, fender rhodes, melodica, organ, piano, vocals)
  • So Alive - Lonnie Plaxico (piano, keyboards, organ)
  • Two Colors - Russ Nolan (piano)
  • Zach Brock and the Coffee Achievers - Zach Brock (composer, piano, organ)

2005
  • Chemistry - Zach Brock (composer, producer, piano, keyboards)
  • Finding Space - Rick Parker Collective (piano, synthesizer)
  • The Relatives - Jeff Parker (electric piano)

2006
  • Continuo - Avishai Cohen (keyboards, piano, handclapping)
  • Live at the Jazz Factory - Zach Brock (piano, composer)

2007
  • As Is…Live at the Blue Note - Avishai Cohen (piano, keyboards, melodica)
  • As Is…Live at the Blue Note (DVD) - Avishai Cohen (piano, keyboards, melodica)
  • With You in Mind - Russ Nolan featuring the Kenny Werner Trio (producer)

2008
  • The Gambler EP - Beyondo (keyboards)
  • I Forgot What You Taught Me - Sam Barsh (composer, producer, keyboards, melodica, piano)
  • Live! - Sam Barsh (composer, producer, keyboards)
  • Vosotros Presents: The Years - The Years (composer, producer, keyboards, melodica)

2009
  • Day One - Meilana Gillard (electric piano)
  • Evil Genius - Michael Feinberg (piano, keyboards)
  • Hypnotic - Gene Segal (composer, organ, synthesizer)
  • In My Own Company - Jennifer Lee Snowden (producer, piano, organ, melodica)
  • Inner Dance - Fabrizio Sotti (organ)
  • Limited Edition EP - Palter Ego (as Jesse Palter and the Alter Ego) (composer, producer, keyboards)
  • Vosotros Presents: The Years Mixtape - The Years (composer, producer, keyboards, melodica)

2010
  • By the Numbers - Dustin Edge (keyboard, organ)
  • PVD and 8th W1 are: Luz Deville - Lux Deville (keyboards)
  • Yvette Rovira - Yvette Rovira (composer)
    • 01. "Everybody Stand Up"
    • 09. "Psychedelia"
    • 12. "Smile"

2011
  • Live Vol. II - Sam Barsh (composer, producer, keyboards)
  • Sounds Like This! - PVD (keyboards)
    • 01. "One Two (feat. Sam Barsh)"
  • We Write Songs - Palter Ego (as Jesse Palter and the Alter Ego) (composer, producer, keyboards)
  • We Are - Elan (keyboards)

2012
  • Agápē - Jojo (keyboards)
    • 01. "Back2thebeginningagain"
  • Above the Covers - Palter Ego (producer, keyboards, mixing)
  • Dealbreaker - White on Rice featuring Norah Jones (composer, producer, keyboards)
  • Emuna - Daniel Ori (piano)
  • Eviction Notice - Wax (composer, producer, keyboards)
    • 09. "Killing Me Inside"
  • MoodSwings - Lalana (composer, producer, keyboards)
    • 01. "Waitin' (6 O'clock)"
    • 02. "Best of 3"
    • 04. "Operating At the Cost of Love"
    • 06. "Gold"
    • 07. "You Pester Me"
    • 08. "Somethin Bout Nothin"
    • 09. "Lady Freak"
    • 12. "I'm Sold/Apology"
  • Soulflower - Robin McKelle (composer)
    • 01. "So It Goes"
    • 02. "Tell You One Thing"
    • 03. "Nothing's Really Changed"
    • 04. "Fairytale Ending"
    • 05. "Miss You Madly"
  • Violet - Nick Rosen (composer, producer, keyboards, mixer)
    • 04. "Blues for Albert"
    • 05. "Eastside/Westside"

2013
  • Between Two Evils - Aubrey O'Day (composer, keyboards, vocal producer)
    • 08. "Devil & Me"
  • Fairytale Ending - Robin Mckelle (composer)
  • I Lost My Coachella Ticket - Kosha Dillz (composer, producer, keyboards)
  • Id, Ego, Palter Ego - Palter Ego (composer, producer, keyboards)
  • The Man - Aloe Blacc (composer, keyboards)
  • Maurice vs. Mobetta - Maurice Brown (composer, producer, vocals, keyboards)
    • 02. "The Connection (feat. Sam Barsh)

2014
  • Control Yourself - Opolopo Remix - Robin Mckelle (composer)
  • Enter the Dynasty - Dontae Winslow and Winslow Dynasty (piano, keyboards)
    • 06. "Blaxploitation and Revolutions (feat. the West Coast Get Down)" (piano, nord lead)
    • 09. "2304 West North Avenue"
  • Heart of Memphis - Robin Mckelle and the Flytones (composer)
    • 01. "About to Be Your Baby"
    • 04. "Control Yourself"
    • 08. "Easier That Way"
  • i - Kendrick Lamar (keyboards)
  • Lift Your Spirit - Aloe Blacc (composer, keyboards)
    • 02. "The Man"
    • 08. "Red Velvet Seat"
  • Modern Vintage - John Robinson and PVD (composer, keyboards)
    • 06. "What's the Point"
  • The Way - Macy Gray (composer, keyboards)
    • 10. "Life"
  • The Worst - Van Ike (composer, producer, keyboards, vocals)

2015

2016

2017
  • 4eva Is a Mighty Long Time - Big K.R.I.T. (composer, keyboards)
    • 10. (Disc one: Big K.R.I.T.) "Aux Cord"
    • 11. (Disc two: Justin Scott) "Bury Me in Gold"
  • All-Amerikkkan Badass - Joey Bada$ (composer, keyboards)
    • 01. "Good Morning Amerikkka"
    • 02. "For My People"
    • 12. "Amerikkkan Idol"
  • Everybody - Logic (composer, keyboards)
  • East Coast - ASAP Ferg (composer, keyboards)
  • Half Hearted - Finn Matthews (composer, producer, keyboards)
  • The Mugician - Keyon Harrold (keyboards)
    • 5. "Wayfaring Traveler"
    • 6. "Stay This Way"
  • Rather You Than Me - Rick Ross (composer, keyboards)
    • 10. "Scientology"
  • Rebirth of the Cool - Nick Grant (composer, keyboards)
    • 01. "Sometimes"
    • 07. "PPIPP"
  • The Transition of Mali - Mali Music (composer, keyboards)
    • 01. "Worth It"
  • Bright: The Album - Various Artists
    • 09. "FTW (F**k the World)" (featuring A$AP Rocky and Tom Morello)
  • Still Striving - A$AP Ferg (composer, keyboards)

2018
  • Bobby Tarantino II - Logic (composer, keyboards)
  • Dreamin' Out Loud - Nick Grant (composer, keyboards)
  • Eclectic Excursions - Nabate Isles (producer all tracks; keyboards tracks 1, 2, 7, 14-16; composer and mix engineer tracks 2, 16)
    • 01. "Inception"
    • 02. "Laid Back" (featuring Elzhi and JRDN)
    • 03. "Find Your Light" (featuring Alita Moses)
    • 04. "Funkdafied"
    • 05. "Exchanging Pleasantries"
    • 06. "Sultriness"
    • 07. "Grab Her by the What?!*&#$!?"
    • 08. "Minute Pieces of Wozzeck"
    • 09. "Mello D.E.M."
    • 10. "Cubicle"
    • 11. "Jubilation for Closure"
    • 12. "Pomponio"
    • 13. "Strange Fruit"
    • 14. "For the End"
    • 15. "2 of a Kind" (Bonus Track)
    • 16. "Laid Back Instrumental (Bonus Track)
  • November - SiR (composer, keyboards)
    • 01. "Gone"
    • 09. "Better"
  • New Change - Sarah Reich (producer, composer, mix engineer track 9; keyboards tracks 5, 9, 10, 15)
    • 05. "It's Tappening"
    • 09. "The Groove"
    • 10. "New Change"
    • 15. "Gemini Vibe" (featuring Lee How)
  • Book of Ryan - Royce da 5'9" (composer, keyboards)
    • 09. "Life is Fair"
  • Quarterthing - Joey Purp (composer, keyboards)
    • 02. "Godbody Pt. 2" (featuring RZA)
  • Rolling Papers 2 - Wiz Khalifa (composer, keyboards)
    • 20. "B Ok"
  • Testing - ASAP Rocky (composer, keyboards)
    • 13. "Changes"
  • YSIV - Logic (composer, keyboards, trumpet)
    • 02. "Everybody Dies"
  • Music for People - Genr8r (keyboards; composer tracks 3,4,7)
    • 01. "First Offense"
    • 02. "Gone"
    • 03. "BB&J (interlude/intro)"
    • 04. "BB&J"
    • 05. "Over It"
    • 06. "N.C.M.S."
    • 07. "OSSO"
    • 08. "Smash"
    • 09. "Find Your Way"
  • Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (soundtrack) - Various Artists (composer, keyboards)
  • Mimi - Bad Rabbits (producer, composer, keyboards, engineer)
    • 06. "Dollars and Change"

2019
  • The RISE UP Project - J.Period (composer, keyboards, trumpet)
  • Queen & Slim: The Soundtrack - Various Artists (composer, keyboards)
  • Rise (from Godfather of Harlem Soundtrack) - Samm Henshaw (composer, keyboards)
  • Nobody Cares Except You - Kosha Dillz (producer, composer, keyboards)
  • Logic Became Me - Kosha Dillz (producer, composer, keyboards)
  • Hide - Tamir (producer, keyboards)
  • Spotify Singles - Sam Barsh and The Deli (producer; keyboards; composer track 1)
    • 01. "Constellations"
    • 02. "Misty"
  • Clydesdales and Castles - Sam Barsh (producer, composer, keyboards)
  • You Want My Cup - Sam Barsh (producer, composer, keyboards)
  • The Nine - Sam Barsh (producer, composer, keyboards, engineer)
    • 01. "Nothing's Wrong (2:40)" feat. Samad Savage
    • 02. "Soldier Story" (feat. Mic Holden and Sunny Bey)
    • 03. "Truth" (feat. Aloe Blacc)
    • 04. "Like You" (feat. Amber Liu)
    • 05. "Rose Garden" (feat. Harry Mack, Mz.007 and Van Ike)
    • 06. "Ballad of the 3 Officers Johnson" (feat. Myth Wazir)
    • 07. "Thank You" (feat. Shea Diamond)
    • 08. "Unholy Water" (feat. Christine Gordon, Niles and Myth Wazir)
    • 09. "Bear Arms" (feat. Mic Holden)
    • 10. "Three Fifths" (feat. Mic Holden and Myth Wazir)
    • 11. "Last Line of Defense" (feat. Myth Wazir)
  • Curiosity - Amber Liu (producer, composer, keyboards)
  • Paper Trail - Jesse Palter (composer)
    • 04. "Waitin"
    • 07. "Heart So Cold"
  • Dirt Road Diamond - Childish Major (producer, composer, keyboards)
    • 01. "Necessary Pressure"
  • Where Do I Start - Joel Matthew (producer, composer, keyboards, engineer)
    • 01. "Where Do I Start"
    • 02. "An Ode"
    • 03. "Rockstar"
    • 04. "Lost in L.A. Interlude"
    • 05. "Lost in Los Angeles"
    • 06. "Down This Road" (feat. Gabe Roland)

Awards and nominations

Barsh was the recipient of two 2015 BMI Awards, the US R&B Hip-Hop award[19] and the London Pop Award.[20]

He was a nominee for the Ashford and Simpson Songwriter Award at the 2014 Soul Train Awards.[21]

His composition Black Spiderman was Awarded a 2017 MTV Video Music award for "Best Fight Against the System."

Though never an official Grammy Award nominee, Barsh’s work as a composer and keyboardist has received 3 Grammy Awards out of 8 nominations.

He was awarded a 2000 Downbeat Magazine Student Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Soloist.[22]

References
  1. "Sam Barsh Biography". www.allmusic.com.
  2. Wilmette Newspaper Index
  3. "Jazz Studies & Performance : Alumni". wpunj.edu.
  4. "Sam Barsh: - As a lead artist I would have to commit to a lifetime of touring - Musicians on Music". www.musicians-corner.net. Retrieved 2017-03-14.
  5. Pico. "Music Review: Sam Barsh – I Forgot What You Taught Me". Blogcritics.
  6. "Jazz Reviews: At HomeAvishai Cohen - By Nate Chinen — Jazz Articles". jazztimes.com.
  7. "BBC - Music - Review of Avishai Cohen - Continuo". bbc.co.uk.
  8. "Jazz Reviews: As Is … Live at the Blue Note Avishai Cohen - By Steve Greenlee — Jazz Articles". jazztimes.com.
  9. Mark Saleski. "Music Review: Sam Barsh – I Forgot What You Taught Me". Blogcritics.
  10. Jim Derogatis review of Jesse Palter and the Alter Ego for Chicago Sun-Times
  11. "Evolution Records - Palter Ego". highlyevolving.com. Retrieved 2017-03-14.
  12. "American single certifications – Aloe Blacc – The Man". riaa.com.
  13. "The Big 9 in 2014: Interscope". hitsdailydouble.com.
  14. "57th Annual GRAMMY Awards Nominees". Grammy Awards.
  15. "Going for the Grammy: UCLA jazz director works on Anderson .Paak's nominated album 'Malibu'". dailybruin.com. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  16. "MTV VMAS 2017: WORST AND BEST MOMENTS, FROM LOGIC'S BREAKOUT TO PERRY'S FLAMEOUT". newsweek.com. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  17. "Jazz Studies Alumni". wpunj.edu.
  18. "Sam Barsh: As a lead artist I would have to commit to a lifetime of touring". musicians-corner.net.
  19. "Nile Rodgers Honored as BMI Icon at the 2015 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards". www.bmi.com. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
  20. "Graham Gouldman and Top Songwriters Honored at 2015 BMI London Awards". www.bmi.com. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
  21. "Ashford And Simpson Songwriter's Award". www.bet.com. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
  22. "DOWNBEAT AWARDS". ntjazz.com. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
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