Definitive fusion bassists thread....

[Brad Johnson]

Originally Posted by jzucker

I just found out that Wade died last year.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...082901883.html

I had no idea. He and Keter died in the same month last year. Damn.

[Tampabass]

Reading your post took me back, all the way back to my college days at UF in Gainesville, 79-83. i saw Bunny Brunel play with Chick Corea's group at the old Florida Music Theater, and I saw Weather Report do a show at the Bandshell, not long after Victor Bailey had joined. I remember being blown away by his playing, and then going to the side of the stage to say hi and shake his hand.
thanks for jarring my memory.

Originally Posted by wilser

so yee want fusion bassist, huh?

check out Dominic DiPiazza on FrontPage with Birelli Lagrane and Dennis Chambers. Also, some of the stuff he did with John McLaughlin.

Kai Eckhardt. with John Mclaughlin trio, live.

I recently rented an old DVD of young skinny Victor Bailey early on with weather report, you should check that out.

I actually prefer the old Tribal Tech records for a Willis dose (before they went Jam crazy instead of the thick arrangements).

Matteo Garrison baby! the disc where his face is split up in black and white. I also have a DVD/CD set that includes a live studio performance that just rocks!

I posted another thread where I mention Jimmy Johnson. No disc has ever recorded what he does live with the Holdsworth trio. This is Jimmy like you've never seen before. Be sure to check out Allan with this trio if they're comming to your town.

Jimmy Haslip. with the yellowjackets

Bunny Brunnel, the taxi cab record they have at the Carvin website.

have you noticed I'm not good at remembering record names?

[avid]

Originally Posted by JimK

DW-
I think it's a pretty common notion that '70s Fusion begat Smooth Jazz...at least that's the consensus at the couple of Jazz sites I used to frequent when I first got online. It was usually the Free Jazz crowd that disliked Fusion & loathed Smooth...after awhile, I did sorta see their point, although-

...depending upon my mood, I would usually say '60s Free Jazz spawned '70s Fusion.
So, Free Jazz was the father of Smooth Jazz.
That would rile up a few.

Two points: First, I recently read that Smooth Jazz is really based on Soul and Funk. Many Smooth Jazz horn players started with Tower of Power and bands of that genre. (Richard Elliot, Paul Taylor, Bony James, Kenny G, Chris Botti, Kim Waters, Dave Koz ) IIRC Here is what Richard Elliot says about his music:

But if Elliot had to categorize his music, he wouldn't necessarily call it jazz-at least not in the traditional sense. The Los Angeles-based tenor saxman tends to think of himself as essentially an R&B instrumentalist with jazz influences. Soul and funk are his foundation-Elliot, after all, spent five years with Tower of Power-and he celebrates his soul/funk heritage on his latest GRP release Ricochet.

Secondly, this leaves most Jazz purists staring blindly into space. I ask them if Miles were still around how many Smooth Jazz albums he would have recorded at this point. JMHO

David

[Lo end PUNCH]

Marcus Miller-Streamline-Lenny White
Andy west-Dixie Dregs
Jimmy Haslip-Gino Vanelli, Yellowjackets, Ging Chi
Danny Wilson-Jeff Lorber
Gary Grainger-Larry Bright

[Debased]

What? No mention of Bunny Brunel? I love his solo albums, and he plays some amazing bass on Kazumi Watanabe's "Kilowatt." Nice guy too; I saw him playing at a local club (Cafe Cordial in Studio City, CA), and he sat at our table between sets to chat. Alain Caron was in town to play at La Ve Lee (also in Studio City), and when I asked Bunny why Alain wasn't at the show, he replied (in his thick French accent): "Ah yes, Alain...he's probably too busy masturbating up in his room to come down and see the show."

I agree that Jimmy Johnson is a gifted player. I've seen him with Allan Holdsworth several times and I'm always amazed at how effortlessly he carries the groove---if you can call it that ---as well as holding down the bizarre melodic changes while Allan is taking one of his screaming legato rides.

Speaking of Holdsworth - check out Skuli Sverrisson's fantastic bass playing on "Hard Hat Area." He's a Berklee grad originally from iceland, and as a bonus, he plays a pre-Gibson Tobias Signature

Another little known monster player that frequents La Ve Lee is Marco Mendoza. This guy plays fretless 6-string, sings lead, and dances like a madman while playing some incredible R&B, funk, and fusion with a drummer and keyboardist. Look for his solo album "Mendoza, Heredia, Neto - Live in L.A."

I'm a big Percy Jones fan too. His playing sounds like someone digesting a pepperoni and onion pizza recorded directly through a stethoscope...but in a good way!

[jerry]

Another happening bassist that has done time with Holdsworth is Dave Carpenter. I agree about Bunny.....wonderful player!!

[Debased]

Originally Posted by jerry

Another happening bassist that has done time with Holdsworth is Dave Carpenter.

Agreed. He gives "Sixteen Men Of Tain" a very unique, earthy sound compared to the other albums in Allan's linup.

[JimK]

Originally Posted by Debased

Another little known monster player that frequents La Ve Lee is Marco Mendoza. This guy plays fretless 6-string, sings lead, and dances like a madman while playing some incredible R&B, funk, and fusion with a drummer and keyboardist. Look for his solo album "Mendoza, Heredia, Neto - Live in L.A."

I have that album...isn't Mendoza paying the bills with some Metal band?
Neto, I assume, is still with Prince(?).
Anyone recall when Heredia was a 'member' of Tribal Tech.