Bands/Artists I've worked with since arriving in Austin:
Hal Ketchum, Django's Moustache, Paris 49, T Jarrod Bonta Trio, Jim Stringer & The AM Band, Rob Roy Parnell, Brannen Temple 4-tet, Ephraim Owens, Abra Moore, Darin Layne, O Positivo, Soniquette, Tony Campisi, Jon Blondell, Leo Rondeau, Lucky Tubb, Dr. James Polk, Kevin Carroll, Tres, Aaron Lack Trio, Ernie Durawa, Ted Hall, more to come....
I'm teaching the bass section at National Guitar Workshop's summer session in Austin, July 19-24.
I'm writing a new column for the ultra-hip music website Fuzz.com, check it out!
Influences
Bass Influences: Jazz: Scott LaFaro, Eddie Gomez, Ray Brown, Ron Carter, Niels Henning, Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, Jaco Pastorius, John Pattitucci, among many others.
Blues-R&B: James Jamerson, Jerry Jemmot, Chuck Rainey, Willie Dixon, Big Crawford, Mudcat Ward, Tommy Shannon, among many others.
Rock: Jack Casady, Jack Bruce, Phil Lesh, Lee Sklar, Tony Levin, among many others.
Country: Bob Moore, Roy Husky Sr., Harold Bradley, and all the great unnamed heros of country bass.
Miscellaneous Bass Heros: Michael Manring, Victor Wooten, Victor Bailey, Otiel Burbridge, Dominic DiPiazza, and many others.
I've become well known throughout the bass community as the author of many highly regarded instructional books and DVDs. My first book, "Building Walking Bass Lines" has been in print since 1993 and has taught a generation of bassists how to play walking lines. As a Bass Player Magazine columnist for many years, and as Senior Editor for the now-defunct Bass Guitar Magazine, I've written hundreds of articles on instructional topics, personality profiles and gear reviews. Currently laboring in obscurity as the only bass gear reviewer for Guitar World Magazine, I still have a hand in the fast-paced, high-stakes world of music journalism. But my recent relocation to Austin, TX has placed me in the middle of an active live music scene.
Based on my ability to write clearly and teach music, it has long been an assumption by many that I can also PLAY the bass. And so, this somewhat late entry to the world of Myspace is an attempt to further that assumption to it's logical end—that, being a gig.
With a long and checkered past in the world of jazz, I've had the opportunity to back up many top name artists like Lew Tabackin, Illinois Jaquette, Wycliffe Gordon, Eddie Daniels, Larry Coryell, Tierney Sutton, Bud Shank, Paul Horn, Robben Ford, Josh Breakstone, George Garzone, and many others.
But jazz is just one aspect of my musical capabilities and tastes. While having chops, education, creativity, intuition and a large memorized repertoire is a great help in high-level jazz situations - I've found that simple, groove-oriented bass playing is what activates my nirvana-gland (the experience, not the band).
I've spent a lot of time playing Blues, New Orleans R&B, Country, "Classic" R&B, Rock, Funk, Latin, and other assorted styles of music, and I do my best to approach them all with a sense of authenticity and respect. The last thing I want is to play a country gig and have people be able to tell that I'm a jazz player. What's worse than a bass player that feels compelled to let everyone know they can play "Donna Lee" on a blues gig? (rhetorical question)
As a bassist that wears many hats (literally, and ... uh ... the other way) I have collected a diverse arsenal of basses with the intent of having the perfect tool for any musical situation I might fall into. While I could just as easily own a Fender P-Bass and leave it at that, instead I have 3 set up for different types of playing. Add to that 2 Jazzes, a few 5 strings, a fretless, a 6 string, some unique axes for special color, 2 upright basses (one with steel strings, one with gut), not to mention a variety of great amps... Okay I have a problem with buying gear, that's obvious, but they all serve their unique purpose. You wouldn't want a surgeon with only one scalpel? A plumber with only one wrench? A dentist with only one hand? You get the picture.
This is supposed to be a bio—you want to know about my exciting life? Hire me and I'll tell you all about it on a break. In the meantime, check out the selections in my jukebox. I've edited together different "streams" with clips of various tracks in specific styles.
I spent the first 15 years of my bass playing career trying to blow people away with my soloing ability, playing lots of informed melodic stuff, technical wizardry, slapping funk, long serpentine excursions into thumb position on the upright, playing chords on electric bass, yadda, yadda... I can still get into that, but for the last 15 years, (hard to believe I'm at this for 30 years...) I've put more emphasis on groove, feel, playing the "right" stuff, and sticking out less in a band. I've come to really enjoy shedding the yoke of cleverness, just let me play something fat and stupid.
So, welcome to my myspace page. I've resisted this for some time, but what the hell... I'm 3 years behind the curve, right where I like to be!
I edited my profile with Thomas Myspace Editor V4.4 (www.strikefile.com/myspace)
Hi, Ed! My CD single, "Be The Change" is available at Waterloo Records and ALL its proceeds are going to Capital Area Food Bank of Texas. Click on my page to get to the record store.
Hi Ed! Thanks for the add. It's an honor. You sound great! I'm moving to Austin in the very near future. I'll try and catch ya. God Bless, Mark "Guitar" Miller
A C an E flat and a G go into a bar. The bartender says " Sorry, we dont't serve minors." So E flat leaves and the C and the G have an open fifth between them. After a few drinks, the fifth is deminished and the G is out flat. An F comes in and tries to augment the situation, but is not sharp enough. H.B.
Just saw your end comment: "...just let me play something fat and stupid."
:-) Amen to that! I love it.
PS: You ever met Jackie Clark? I've been talking to him on space and he has been sharing his Lakland 55-xx secrets with me - hunt down some Angie Stone live stuff on youtube, and check out his tone!!!! Just amazing - and the nicest guy you would ever meet.
In fact, I haven't met one bass player who isn't a nice guy and who won't share their skills and tips. I love this instrument!!
Thanks for the add. Your 'Building Walking Bass Lines' is an essential learning tool and standard material for my students! Please come by my page and say hello.
