Stomu Takeishi

arcellus · #1 12-09-2007, 07:58 PM

Any other Stomu fans out there? I've been a big fan of his playing for a while now, since I first heard him with David Tronzo about 6-7 years ago. His playing on Cuong Vu's new album is incredible - so inventive and fluid, and the sounds he pulls from his bass are just amazing. I can't get enough!

Hoover · #2 12-09-2007, 08:37 PM

I only ever heard Stomu once, when I was mixing FOH for Henry Threadgill's Make A Move band...but I really enjoyed his playing. In fact, I had a fascinating response to it: You know how sometimes you hear a player and you think "Oh, I could do that!" (or if it's a real monster player, you think "Oh, I could NEVER do that!"

Well, when I heard Stomu playing with Make A Move, I kept thinking "Hey, I would do that!" It was like his whole approach to playing was exactly what I would have done in that situation...same ideas on how the bass functions, the role of the instrument, how his lines fit in with the band, the way he interacted with the other musicians... it was uncanny.

Having never heard anything else he's ever played on I don't know if this was a fluke (or wishful thinking on my part!) but it definitely made an impression on me.

Cuong Vu is a pretty amazing musician, eh? He played in my band for about 3 months in 1993 and it was an honor to get to listen to him every time we played.

arcellus · #3 12-09-2007, 08:55 PM

Yeah, Cuong is one of my favorite musicians. I've only been able to hear him once, with the CV Trio at the Iowa City Jazz Fest (Cuong, Stomu and Ted Poor). It was amazing. I love the band - have you heard the new recording?

Sorefinger · #4 12-10-2007, 01:55 AM

Huge Takeishi/Vu fan here. Stomu is an amazingly original, inventive and sensitive player. Saw the Trio last year here in Vienna - simply spine-tingling.

Paul Motian´s "Electric BeBop Band with Joshua Redman" album has Stomu on fretless. Well worth getting!

And check out this clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKA6oDbpHQM

**j-raj** · #5 12-10-2007, 07:18 AM

very cool playing... never seen anyone other than Mick Karn with a Klein bass.

arcellus · #6 12-10-2007, 10:42 AM

Yeah, I've always been intrigued by his bass. Seems like the perfect travel instrument, and it always sounds great.

Brad Maestas · #7 02-07-2008, 09:24 PM

I'm a huge Stomu fan too. I first heard him on Cuong Vu's album and later, in Threadgill's bands. Last year his group opened up for my group. We invited him to sit in during our set and he accepted so we both played bass for most of the night! Then a few weeks later, his group opened up for Butch Morris and the Nublu Orchestra and we both played together again in Butch's band. What an experience. He's awesome!

Marcury · #8 02-07-2008, 10:05 PM

I feel remiss having never seen him live, but I love what I've heard on recordings.