"It is such great ensemble playing and so free that I actually felt a part of the group while listening. It's a great accomplishment when the listener becomes that involved. It was totally transforming and lifted me out of my apartment and into a world of humor, groove, and looseness! Also the CD package is an extra treat that only serves to enhance the overall experience. It lives! It breathes!"
***Will Lee - professional bassist (The Late Show with David Letterman, The Fab Faux, Hiram Bullock)
"The CD is extraordinarily unique and fresh. So much of the music is like a good book where five different characters are introduced but end up meeting each other through unusual circumstances. The music dances and vibrates in a million different ways."
***Lynn Keller - professional bassist (Diana Ross, Rita Coolidge, Michelle Shocked, The Original Fifth Dimension, Nell Carter. . .)
"New York City electric bassist John Carey and his quintet generates a medley of cleverly articulated modern jazz opuses, morphed with gritty jazz-rock motifs. Israeli electric guitarist Oz Noy adds some bite here, whereas multi-instrumentalist Rachelle Garniez embellishes some of these pieces with ethereal vocals. Carey's modernistic approach to jazz mirrors the New York City "downtown" aura, but he doesn't necessarily rehash roads previously traversed. Carey designs his works through variable pulses and metrics. They crank it up in spots, but also use depth and space as a vital component. Cellist/pianist Dave Eggar and drummer/percussionist Frank Bellucci round out this most interesting session, recorded live in the studio without overdubs."
***Glenn Astarita - All About Jazz
"Ya'll were on the same vibe like a school of fish."
***David Dyson - Professional Bassist (Me' Shell NdegeOcello, Kirk Whalum and many more. . .)
"With his new CD, John Carey has given us a fresh new approach to bassist led music. Undefined Psycho-Chromatic G.R.I.D is a wonderful study in ensemble interplay and improvisation. Under his direction the music becomes a conceptual playing field for exciting interaction. John's tone and feel are solid throughout and the instrumentation is innovative and exciting. Undefined Psycho-Chromatic G.R.I.D gets a high recommendation to those of us a little tired of the usual fare of some of today's bass-centric leader CD's. Five stars for originality!"
***Mike Visceglia - professional bassist & musical director for Suzanne Vega
“When I first listened to this CD, I thought to myself, could the readers of Bass Player take it? Then I got over myself and chose to let you be the judge of this completely wide-open improvisational work organized (at least in terms of gathering the musicians together) by New York City bassist John Carey. With Oz Noy on guitars, Dave Eggar ..o and piano, Frank Bellucci on drums, and Rachelle Garniez on everything from accordion to vocals to claviola and more, the textures alternate randomly from aggression to trance to dirge to free jazz, embodying the frenetic and unpredictable energy of Gotham City itself. And all the while, Carey fills the low end with groove and melody fragments, sometimes fretted, sometimes fretless, sometimes heavily affected, sometimes bone dry…and to this listener, always interesting. The irony is that Carey is most known around New York as a session guy, and he just released an album of pure pop/singer/songwriter material that seems practically impossible to rectify with this wild, experimental release. Who knew?”
***Bryan Beller - Bass Player Magazine
“It's nice to hear musicians taking chances and being creative without fitting into a template. John achieved a very expressive music. . . A very artistic project”
***Mark Egan - professional bassist (Sting, Mat Metheny Group, David Sanborn, Joan Osborne)
"Beautiful work! I really like the visual-auditory connection. And what a pleasure to hear Rachelle! I got to work with her a bit a few years ago and I think she's fantastic. What a great -- and creative -- combination of musicians. . . Bravo!"
***Michael Manring - professional bassist & solo artist
"Fans of the improvisational side of King Crimson will find much to enjoy here. The same can be said of aficionados of the more avant garde side of Rock In Opposition. This is not background music; it demands and deserves quiet, active listening. Anything less and the subtleties of what is being played... the quiet interplay between musicians... will be lost."
***Progscape.com
"This is a must have for anyone who enjoys listening to amazing musicians making beautiful pieces of art. I rarely hear it these days...this is it!!!"
***Steve Messina - Blow Up Hollywood
"The use of the instruments on this album almost reminds of the way the musical adaptation of Peter and The Wolf used instruments as the characters." " . . .the instruments wander off by themselves into "organized chaos", but then fall back into place with each other producing some quite beautiful melodies and atmosphere. It's the waiting for these moments within the album which make it a joy to listen to."
***Gary Lowe - Bass Tech UK
"John has given up his own ego as a player for the good of the ensemble. . . One can really tell that each player is really listening to each other, that the interplay and development of each piece is based on a mutual understanding and respect of the players. It really speaks to the visual art that inspired it. The CD demands attention not coaxes it, and it has a depth that I think many are afraid to confront in today's "popular" music or, for that matter, their own lives. It demands not only attention, but also thought and time. As I said, it is not easy - not all music should be."
***Mike Dimin - bassist, author, clinician & educator
**************************************************** BUY John's new book, The Working Bassist, What You Really Need to Know to Survive in New York City.
CLICK ON BOOK for more info:
“This kind of veteran information can be considered a kind of survival guide to becoming a working, professional bass player, and should be required reading at music schools.” ***Mike Visceglia – bassist & musical director for Suzanne Vega
“John Carey has managed to put together a beautiful palette of colorful characters in his collection of interviews with New York City bassists, shedding light on how focus, dedication and perseverance helped each one of them make it in the ultimate metropolis of the performing arts. Carey’s book should serve as agreat inspiration for any new (or old) bass player trying to make it in The Big Apple.” ***Patrick Pfeiffer – bassist & author of Bass Guitar for Dummies & Improve Your Groove
“Author and working bassist John Carey has done the legwork for you and interviewed over thirty of New York cities top bassists. After breezing through this easy-to-read book, you will find ‘25 tips for success’, a section with ‘New York City Wisdom, Perspective and Inspiration’ and even a space for your own notes!” ***Bass Musician Magazine
“When New York bassist John Carey first approached me with his book, I thought, Finally! New York has always been extremely alluring but also intimidating, massive and overwhelming, so a guide to a bass player’s specific needs is a godsend. Carey succeeds in bringing focused attention on the real-life experiences of a wide array of New York City bassists. . . Anyone toying with the idea of a move ought to buy this immediately” ***Bass Player Magazine
“John's book is a great primer for bass players entering the scene. As the Zen Master's say, ‘Fight your shame. Learn all you can from others. This is the secret to a successful life.’” ***John Miller – Broadway contractor, bassist & music coordinator
“Carey has assembled a wealth of ideas for networking, sharing specific bass concepts, philosophy and equipment needs.” ***Mark Egan – professional bassist (Sting, Mat Metheny Group, David Sanborn, Joan Osborne)
"Relevant questions, interesting and useful answers— a detailed but practical reference for musicians everywhere." ***Lincoln Goines – professional bassist (Randy Brecker, Tito Puente, Michael Brecker, Mike Stern, Dizzy Gillespie)
“The Working Bassist, What You Really Need to Know to Survive in New York City, is an essential tool for any bassist who aspires to work in New York City or any other major metropolitan area. This is real world information that will prove to be invaluable to your career.” ***Irio O’Farrill – professional bassist, music educator, Broadway bassist & author
John Carey's original music is available for Film/TV . . .
JOHN CAREY is a professional bassist, record producer and singer-songwriter living in New York City. He began his music career at an early age, performing regularly at well known clubs in NYC since the age of sixteen. His bass playing, singing and song-writing abilities have lead him to perform, tour and record with bands and artists of all genres, including rock, folk, funk, R&B, blues, fusion and world music. John is recognized as one of the few bassists who can fit into nearly any musical situation, providing solid, song-oriented grooves, whether playing bass in a small club in NYC, out on the road or recording in the studio. As record producer, John has worked with some of the best bands and musicians New York City has to offer. John is available to act as producer for your upcoming CD; this includes recommending the appropriate studio(s), hiring the appropriate musicians (if need be), getting the right engineer on hand, and acting as "producer" inside the studio environment.
As a solo artist, John has released two of his own CDs. His first release, John Carey, "undefined psycho-chromatic G.R.I.D." (2005, Planet Bass, NYC) explores the avant-garde: the completely live and improvisational album captures the stream of conscious thought processes between some of today's most talented, unique and interesting musicians. The CD spans multiple genres of music, and provides for a multimedia and multi-sensory experience . . . A truly fascinating record with an all-star lineup.
His second release, John Carey, "CL" (2007, Planet Bass, NYC), includes his original singer-songwriter/pop songs. In addition to playing bass, you’ll hear John singing and playing acoustic guitar throughout the CD. His music is reminiscent of Sheryl Crow and The Steve Miller Band.
John Carey, "Son of the House" (2010, Planet Bass, NYC), examines the dualistic nature of Gnostic thought: light/dark, Cosmos/Earth, illuminated/unaware, divine/carnal, strange/familiar . . . Heavily influenced by the music of Miles Davis, Frank Zappa, Lou Reed and Larry Graham, Carey visits the sounds of punk, funk and the avant-garde, taking the listener from the street of the East Village, New York City, to that of the Cosmos.
On television, John has appeared as bassist on The CW hit show, Gossip Girl, as well as on the Fox 5 hit show, Fringe.
John is one of the leading bass instructors in New York City, teaching privately out of his Midtown studio. He has recently completed writing his first book, "The Working Bassist, What You Really Need to Know to Survive in New York City." The book is designed to inform bassists (and all musicians) interested in coming to New York City to pursue their musical endeavors. In addition to being informative, the series of interviews has been geared towards inspiring those who are already working musicians.
Located in New York City, John is available as record producer or as bassist for gigs, tours, showcases, recording, rehearsals, private instruction, etc. If you are interested in using John for an upcoming show, recording session, or tour, email: contact@johncarey.net. For more information about John Carey, please visit JohnCarey.net and PlanetBassNYC.com.
"Although John Carey is primarily known for his work as a session bassist for artists and singer-songwriters of rock, folk and R&B bands throughout New York City and worldwide, his debut CD explores the avant-garde: the completely live and improvisational album captures the stream of conscious thought processes between some of today's most talented, unique and most interesting musicians. The CD spans multiple genres of music, and in conjunction with the abstract artwork and very distinctive written introduction included within the twelve page booklet, the CD provides for a multimedia and multi-sensory experience . . . A truly fascinating record with an all-star lineup."
***Planet Bass, NYC
"Bass virtuoso John Carey calls his music organized chaos in the CD liner notes, and this live date ventures outside about as far as anything thats come my way in recent memory." ". . . There are numerous moments of beauty and depth that occur within . . ."
***Ron Wynn, JazzTimes Magazine
"Bassist Carey describes these witty, approachable improvisations as "organized chaos," but there seems to be as much organization, with plenty of space between lines and surprising bursts of melody. Free bass playing never sounded so good."
***Bass Guitar Magazine
"Working with John was great. It was like the tracks were already laid down perfectly and we were just listening back the whole day."
***Matt Knobel-producer (Lenny Kravitz, Lauryn Hill, Elton John, Michael Jackson, Will Lee. . .)
"The striking album artwork of Undefined Psycho-chromatic G.R.I.D. features abstract works by Mark LaRiviere, Catherine Ramey and Julia Fisher. It is so intriguing, daring, and beautiful, that it leaves one longing for the days of LPs, when the artwork was bigger than life. "
***Eric Lehman, MusicWorks.Ca
"As a producer, John brings a positive and professional attitude to every session, and he consistently goes the extra mile to make the artist feel comfortable. He also has a keen understanding of what is needed to make the song great; whether it's coming up with musical parts, or coaxing the best performances from the players. As an engineer, I always enjoy working with a producer who knows what he's looking for, and how to communicate it clearly, which is why I always look forward to my sessions with John."
***Gordon Davies, Recording/Mix Engineer
Hey, I hope you’re well. I’m still in NYC and I’m excited to have another full band concert coming up soon: Tues, Oct 27, 7.30-9.00 pm Zinc Bar NYC (82 West 3rd Street) I’d love to see you there! Greetings from your Swiss brother, blessings, Vlada www.vladamusic.com
Hello John Greetings from Amish Country Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Nice to meet you Very nice music & web site you got there Wishing you the greatest success with it!
Hey John - I'm doing fine. Frank B. has been keeping me informed about what you're up to. Now I have your page too. Glad to see you're busy and staying creative!
