The New Reform Temple is thrilled to have had Becky and Nathan Bliss as music leaders at NRT for the last 10 years. They began leading Friday night worship and  the High Holy Days on August 26, 2016. Rabbi Londy commented: “I am thrilled that they have joined us. They bring a level of musical talent, experience, and passion that will profoundly enrich our congregational worship. They are without doubt among the most talented musicians that I have worked with during my career.”

Both Kansas City natives, Nathan moved to Overland Park from Philadelphia in high school and attended Shawnee Mission North. Becky grew up in Kansas City and attended Shawnee Mission East, followed by the University of Kansas where she studied opera and graduated with a degree in Vocal Performance.

Nathan graduated Magna Cum Laude from Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music with a dual bachelor’s degree in jazz composition and saxophone performance. Soon after, he completed the Master Recording Program II at the Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences in Tempe, Arizona and moved to Los Angeles where he worked in recording studios and taught himself to play guitar. 

After moving back to Kansas City temporarily to help care for a sick family member in 2005, Nathan was introduced to Becky by a booking agent, because she was looking for a guitarist to play shows with locally. After two years of playing music together and falling in love, Becky and Nathan moved to Brooklyn, got married, and started their indie folk band, Barnaby Bright. 

They released their first full-length album in 2009 and began touring extensively all over the world, playing roughly 150 shows a year. After six years of steady touring, releasing three full-length albums, winning several international songwriting awards and gracing such notable stages as Lincoln Center and NPR’s Mountain Stage, they returned to Kansas City.

Their most sincere hope since they began their musical journey together over 20 years ago was that their songs and sounds would inspire, uplift and connect audiences to something greater than themselves. The New Reform Temple is grateful for the inspiration, musicianship and spirituality that the Blisses bring to worship.

They currently live in Overland Park with their 3 rescue cats and their daughter. They continue to tour with their band, and after recently having their music placed on a popular Netflix TV show, they spent two weeks in Nashville recording their next full length album, due out in early 2027. 

www.barnabybright.com