Barry “Buzzy” Garriola
Bass
Barry hit the circuit early, thanks to family connections. His older brother Jeff, an accomplished guitarist and band leader, bought 12-year-old Barry his first bass. By 16 Barry was accompanying his brother’s band on gigs. “I started off as a roadie. Then they’d let me sit in for a song or two. Finally I ended up as the bass player for the band.”
At 19 Barry was studying with the renowned bassist Jerry Jemmott of Atlantic Records who has backed BB King, Aretha Franklin, and Main Ingredient, to name a few. Jemmott spent a lot of time with Barry. “I’d pay for an hour lesson and Jerry would give me 2 or 3” recalls Barry. “It’s where I learned my R&B groove. Jerry helped me put my puzzle together.”
A real pro, Barry lays down an unshakable foundation for the band and then adds a special “feel” that makes the song stand out and makes the audience want to get down and boogie, jump up and clap, or sit back and sigh – whatever the song calls for.
“About being a live band… you gotta make the people feel it” says Barry. Some bands blow the audience out of the room. You gotta play for the audience, not yourselves. And you need to perform as a team. When someone else has the limelight, it’s your job to support them and make them sound good.” Barry is starting his 3rd year with Buried in Blue, and the band is in excellent hands.