James Genus (Chris Botti) at the Britt Festival

[avid]

Chris Botti, an Oregon native, performed at the Britt Festival in Jacksonville, Oregon Thursday night. Chris's bassist is James Genus of SNL band amongst many other big name gigs.

James Genius is what his name should be because that is how he plays his Fodera Emporer 5 string. His tone is perfect and his feel impeccable. His playing is effortless and he switches between genres without a hitch.

Its been a great last six months for me as I have seen Victor Whooten, Nate East, Baron Browne, Rocco Prestia and now James. I won't try and compare and contrast because they are all great but I have to say that James laid back; but dead on approach really impressed me. Did I mention his tone. He uses some really cool vibrato on his fretted Fodera as well as of all kinds of slides for accent. He played with his thumb and finger style. I can see why Chris Botti will do whatever to have him on tour between episodes of SNL. What band leader wouldn't?

Does anyone know the details of his Fodera besides 36" scale Emporer? It looked like an Ash body with no top to me. The fretboard appeared to be Rosewood but I couldn't be sure of that.

Chris and his band put on a stellar performance. We look forward to seeing them again, hopefully next summer at the Britt.

[bassist15]

Ive been a huge fan of James' for awhile now. You are lucky to have seen the guys you have. Ive been listening to alot of John Zorn and DAve Douglas lately and James playes in Dave Douglas' quartet and his upright playing is really groovy and melodic at the same time. He is also a fantast electric player. One of the greats.

[Bernie Connors]

There's a vid on Youtube of James playing with Chris and it's amazing. His tone and feel are incredible. His playing is so tasteful. I'm a fan for sure...

[Bernie Connors]

I have the Chris Botti Live DVD and CD set. Definitely recommended. It's filled with great musicians and of course James.

His Fodera looks like you described to me. Ash with no top. Not sure if it's rosewood or ebony on the board. I looked closer and he's playing through Ampeg gear. Not sure what his DI was.

At any rate, James is a fantastic player and every bassist has something to learn from him.

[avid]

Originally Posted by bassist15

Ive been a huge fan of James' for awhile now. You are lucky to have seen the guys you have. Ive been listening to alot of John Zorn and DAve Douglas lately and James playes in Dave Douglas' quartet and his upright playing is really groovy and melodic at the same time. He is also a fantast electric player. One of the greats.

I feel very fortunate that some many great bassists have been in SW Oregon in the last months. As a finishing touch I am hoping to catch Brian Bromberg on his "Downright Upright" tour in either Seattle or SF in November. Thanks for the suggestions of other players to check out.

Originally Posted by Bernie Connors

There's a vid on Youtube of James playing with Chris and it's amazing. His tone and feel are incredible. His playing is so tasteful. I'm a fan for sure...

His playing is perfect; that is the word that comes to my mind.

Originally Posted by Bernie Connors

I have the Chris Botti Live DVD and CD set. Definitely recommended. It's filled with great musicians and of course James.

His Fodera looks like you described to me. Ash with no top. Not sure if it's rosewood or ebony on the board. I looked closer and he's playing through Ampeg gear. Not sure what his DI was.

At any rate, James is a fantastic player and every bassist has something to learn from him.

I have Chris Botti "Night Sessions" and I didn't realize there was a second one available. Its now on my shopping list! Thanks.

He was using and Ampeg 410 and a 115 with a non-descript DI. I suspect it was provided by the venue since the opening act used the same one. The fretboard could have been either Rosewood or Ebony but it was definitely not maple.

Having seen both Victor Whooten, Anthony Wellington and now James playing Fodera's I think I am having a major Fodera G.A.S. attack.

[JimK]

Genus is from my neck-of-the-woods...he's great.

I assume Botti's band still includes Billy Kilson on cans(ex-Dav Holland 5-tet...his replacement is also from my area: Nate Smith) + Mark Whitfield on guitar.

From what I've heard, Botti's live shows are different than his recordings. A certain co-worker of mine(into major SMOOTH Jazz) loves Botti's CDS...he hated the live show.

[markjazzbassist]

I saw Botti live and that band is SLAMMIN. Genus is a great player, really lays down the groove, kilson on skins he really laid out one sick solo when i saw them. Billy childs on keys who is pretty big in his own right (couple grammies) and mark whitfield is a great player.

much love for genus and Botti's live show.

[Christopher]

Originally Posted by avid

James Genius is what his name should be because that is how he plays his Fodera Emporer 5 string. His tone is perfect and his feel impeccable. His playing is effortless and he switches between genres without a hitch.

I agree; very talented and versatile player. He's also one of the better electric/upright doublers I've seen - on par with Patitucci and Bromberg, even if he doesn't solo as much!

[maurilio]

Hi,
JG is a great one!

www.jamesgenus.com

Is this the bass?

M

[avid]

Originally Posted by JimK

Genus is from my neck-of-the-woods...he's great.

I assume Botti's band still includes Billy Kilson on cans(ex-Dav Holland 5-tet...his replacement is also from my area: Nate Smith) + Mark Whitfield on guitar.

From what I've heard, Botti's live shows are different than his recordings. A certain co-worker of mine(into major SMOOTH Jazz) loves Botti's CDS...he hated the live show.

That's the band also featuring Peter Martin on keyboard. I read about your co-worker from a Markjazzbassist post, IIRC, in January of this year, hilarious. My wife came away saying it was the best show she had ever seen. They did some Miles, a Leonard Cohen number, a couple of show tunes including one from Shrek, and of course some of Chris's top songs. I just flipped through Chris's first DVD, Night Sessions, and this doesn't sound anything like that either. Really, I think anyone that likes music would find something to like about this tour.
I almost forgot! Sy Whitfield, Mark's sister of American Idol fame, came out and sang a couple of classic numbers, one being the "Look of Love."

Originally Posted by markjazzbassist

I saw Botti live and that band is SLAMMIN. Genus is a great player, really lays down the groove, kilson on skins he really laid out one sick solo when i saw them. Billy childs on keys who is pretty big in his own right (couple grammies) and mark whitfield is a great player.
much love for genus and Botti's live show.

New keyboard player noted above but still outstanding. Billy Kilson almost didn't make the concert after having missed the flight. They had already ordered a private jet to fly him in when he managed to bump somebody and get on a commercial flight. Chris apologized to the unnamed person. He played like a wildman to make up for the difficult afternoon he caused them all. Fabulous drummer.

Originally Posted by maurilio

Hi,
JG is a great one!

www.jamesgenus.com

Is this the bass?

M

The one James is holding looks like it could be the one. That appears to be a rosewood board and ash body with no top and jazz p/u's. I read somewhere he likes 36" scale necks.

I need to call Vinnie and see if they got another with the same mojo!

[Alan Vorse]

I remeber seeing clips of Genus from the early 90s playing with the Brecker Brothers. I got to see him with Dave Douglas last year.

Interesting that someone as "middle of the road" as Botti is snatching people from Dave Douglas' and Dave Holland's bands. Maybe I'll have to check some of his stuff out.