The Band: Richard Baratta Drums, Dave Stryker Guitar, Abraham Burton Sax, Bill O’Connell Keys, Michael Goetz Bass, Paul Rossman Percussion & Carrol Scott Vocals

Click for Tickets: https://morrismuseum.org/outdoor-concerts-on-the-back-deck

Richard Baratta

Richard Baratta is a Grammy-nominated jazz drummer and a successful movie producer. He began his musical journey at a young age, focusing on jazz and performing with various artists in the 1970s and 1980s. However, in 1984, he transitioned to a career in film production, working on over 50 movies, including notable titles like Joker, The Irishman, Dr. Strange, and The Wolf of Wall Street.

Despite his success in the film industry, Baratta returned to his musical roots in 2016 and has since been actively performing and recording jazz music. His recent albums, such as Music in Film: The Reel Deal and Off the Charts, blend his love for jazz with his cinematic background, featuring fresh takes on movie-based compositions and jazz classics.

Baratta’s dual career showcases his versatility and passion for both music and film.

In the meantime take a listen and come join us

HAMPTON JAZZ FEST —— WGBO RICHARD BARATTA

Check out this fantastic Band

DAVE STRYKER

Dave Stryker is one of the most distinctive voices in jazz guitar today. With over 35 albums as a leader and a career spanning decades, Stryker has captivated audiences worldwide with his soulful tone, inventive compositions, and dynamic performances. He first gained national attention as a sideman with organist Jack McDuff and legendary saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, with whom he toured extensively from 1986 to 1995.

A prolific recording artist, Stryker’s recent albums—including Prime, As We Are, and Stryker with Strings Goes to the Movies—have topped the JazzWeek charts and earned critical acclaim from DownBeat and JazzTimes. His celebrated “Eight Track” series reimagines classic pop tunes through a jazz lens, showcasing his versatility and deep groove.

Beyond the stage, Stryker is a dedicated educator, serving on the jazz faculties of Rutgers University, Montclair State University, and William Paterson University. Whether leading his organ trio, collaborating with jazz greats, or mentoring the next generation, Dave Stryker continues to shape the sound of modern jazz with passion and authenticity.

ABRAHAM BURTON

Abraham Burton is a powerhouse saxophonist and educator whose fiery sound and commanding stage presence have made him a standout figure in contemporary jazz for over three decades. Born and raised in Greenwich Village, Burton studied under the legendary Jackie McLean at the Hartt School of Music, where he earned his degree with honors. He later received his master’s from Rutgers University, where he now serves on the jazz faculty.

Burton launched his career with the iconic drummer Arthur Taylor, touring internationally and recording acclaimed albums like Mr. A.T. and Live at the Village Vanguard. He went on to lead his own dynamic ensembles, including the Abraham Burton Quartet and Forbidden Fruit, performing at major festivals such as North Sea Jazz, JVC, and Pori. His discography as a leader includes Closest to the Sun, The Magician, and Cause and Effect, all praised for their intensity and artistry.

A longtime member of the Mingus Big Band, Burton has also collaborated with jazz luminaries including Roy Hargrove, Jimmy Smith, Louis Hayes, and Christian McBride. Now based near Morristown, NJ, he continues to inspire audiences and students alike with his deep musicality, fearless improvisation, and dedication to the jazz tradition.

BILL O”CONNELL

Bill O’Connell is a Grammy-nominated pianist, composer, and arranger whose bold fusion of jazz and Afro-Caribbean rhythms has made him a cornerstone of the Latin jazz scene. A New York native and Oberlin Conservatory alum, O’Connell has performed with legends like Mongo Santamaria, Dave Valentin, and Sonny Rollins. His lyrical touch and rhythmic firepower have earned him four SESAC “Jazz Writer of the Year” awards and widespread critical acclaim.

As the pianist and arranger for the Richard Baratta Gotham City Latin Jazz Septet, O’Connell brings his signature flair and deep musicality to the ensemble’s high-energy performances. His arrangement of “Chopsticks” for Baratta’s Music in Film: The Reel Deal earned a Grammy nomination, highlighting his ability to reimagine classics with sophistication and swing. Whether on stage or in the studio, O’Connell’s artistry continues to elevate every project he touches.

MICHAEL GOETZ

Michael Goetz is a seasoned bassist whose versatility, deep groove, and impeccable musicianship have made him a sought-after figure on the New York jazz and Latin scenes since the mid-1980s. With a career spanning live performance, studio recording, and Broadway orchestras, Goetz has collaborated with a wide array of top-tier artists including Bill O’Connell, Vincent Herring, Paul Bollenback, Dave Stryker, and Doug Munro.

His discography includes work on Grammy-nominated albums such as Music in Film: The Reel Deal with the Richard Baratta Gotham City Latin Jazz Septet, as well as acclaimed releases like A Very Gypsy Christmas and The Harry Warren Songbook. Goetz’s bass lines have anchored tribute albums for Vitamin Records, spanning genres from Pink Floyd to Celine Dion, and he’s contributed to film scores by Ryuichi Sakamoto and Elmer Bernstein.

Whether laying down a Latin groove, swinging through bebop, or supporting a Broadway pit orchestra, Michael Goetz brings depth, precision, and soul to every note.

PAUL ROSSMAN

Paul Rossman doesn’t just play percussion—he paints with rhythm. A fixture in the New York jazz and Latin scenes, Rossman has spent decades weaving his vibrant, polyrhythmic voice into the fabric of countless ensembles. His hands have danced across congas, timbales, and shakers in settings as varied as smoky jazz clubs, grand concert halls, and Grammy-nominated studio sessions.
You’ve heard him on Richard Baratta’s Music in Film: The Reel Deal, where his solo on the track “Chopsticks” pulses with both elegance and fire. You’ve felt his groove alongside jazz titans like Vincent Herring, Eric Alexander, and John Patitucci. And when the music calls for a global heartbeat, Rossman answers—drawing from his studies with percussion legends Frank Colón, Bobby Sanabria, and Norman Headman to infuse every note with authenticity and soul.

But Paul isn’t just a sideman—he’s a storyteller. Whether anchoring a Latin jazz septet or adding sparkle to a cinematic arrangement, he listens deeply, responds intuitively, and elevates the moment. His playing is never about flash—it’s about feel. It’s about knowing when to drive and when to dance, when to whisper and when to roar.

In a world that often rushes past the details, Paul Rossman reminds us that rhythm is not just time—it’s texture, tension, and truth.

VOCALIST CARROLL SCOTT

Veteran singer-actor-musician Carroll W. Scott began his musical sojourn in the South Bronx singing and playing clarinet from the age of 10. As a young adult, Carroll played saxophone and sang in pop and jazz groups, sharing stage venues with percussionist Ray Barretto and guitarist Kenny Burrell.

He performed on Broadway and at Lincoln Center, Madison Square Garden and Carnegie Hall. Carroll was understudy to Clifton Davis in the Broadway play “Two Gentlemen of Verona”. His vocal collaborations include McCoy Tyner’s “Inner Voices”, Pharoah Sanders’, “Rejoice” and Idris Muhammad’s, “You Ain’t No Friend of Mine”.

Carroll completed national and international tours with Tony Williams and the Platters and toured Italy and China as a featured singer and soloist with the Brooklyn Interdenominational Choir. Carroll performed with renowned French pianist Pierre Christophe at the Hotel d’Aubusson in Paris, France. Carroll was invited to sing with the Ken Fowser quintet at The Django jazz club, NYC. Most recently, Carroll is featured on Richard Baratta’s Grammy nominated CD, “Music in Film:The Reel Deal”.

Carroll majored in clarinet and saxophone performance and minored in drama, receiving a B.S. in music from New York University. He also achieved a M.S. in Special Education from Adelphi University and a Professional Diploma in school administration and supervision from Long Island University.

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The Back Deck Returns!

Entering its sixth year, the popular Back Deck concert series returns with a robust season of performances featuring big international names and regional superstars in jazz, classical, and genres in-between. Under the direction of Producer Gregory Burrus, the 2025 season promises a dynamic variety of memorable concerts under the stars. Patrons are invited to bring chairs, set up picnics, and enjoy the sunset for this special program.

Since launching in July 2020, The Back Deck has presented over 72 performances of critically acclaimed artists, welcomed more than 11,000 patrons, and received critical praise from local and national media. The series has presented established artists and rising stars with several ensembles going on to receive national acclaim. Now an established part of the regional cultural landscape, the Museum’s elevated parking deck has become known for elegant tailgates and world-class music each summer.

Click here for details Morris Museum Back Deck Concerts

Tickets go on sale April 14 (for museum members) and April 21 (general public).