Biography
Bassist Jimmy Mack has spent a lifetime in the performing arts playing across a large genre of musical styles. Jimmy was born in San Diego, California in 1953 and his family moved to the musically prolific San Francisco Bay Area soon after. Beginning at a young age, Jimmy was introduced to a variety of artists from the Bay area, many of whom, such as funk great Larry Graham (Sly and the Family Stone, Graham Central Station) , inspired Jimmy to pursue his passion for music and his talent for playing bass guitar.
In the 1970s and ‘80s Jimmy played with such R&B notables as Sly and the Family Stone, Edwin Starr‘s Starrchild, and shared stages with Marvin Gaye, War, Patti LaBelle, Stevie Wonder, and others. In the 1980s Jimmy played and recorded with Christian artist Jon Gibson, and in the ‘90s, Jimmy recorded and toured with Richie Havens.
In 1988 Jimmy moved from Los Angeles to Phoenix and immediately started playing with some of the area’s finest musicians. He’s played with Pattie Williams, Jerome Teasly (Jr. Walker and The All Stars, Motown Hall of Fame Drummer), Michael Reed, Francine Reed (Lyle Lovett), Stan Deveroux and Dave Cook, among others.
In 1992 Jimmy moved to Sedona, Arizona where worked with renowned jazz guitarist Stanley Jordan. At that time Jimmy was also playing national and international gigs with Richie Havens, including the 25th anniversary of Woodstock in Bethel, New York in 1994. Jimmy also formed and played locally with his band Thomas Thomas, as well as with other local musicians.
In 1999 Jimmy joined Arizona Blues Hall of Fame members Hank Tomlin and Bob Blazi in The Hank Tomlin Band, and from 2000 to 2002 he played with ABHOF member Tommy Dukes in The Tommy Dukes Blues Band.
In 2004 Jimmy was inducted into the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame (http://www.azblueshof.com) for his outstanding achievement in the blues music community in the state of Arizona.
Jimmy Mack’s discography credits include Edwin Starr’s “Tell a Star” (RCA Records); “One Night With You” with Mary Wilson (of The Supremes) (CEO Records); “Yo Skridlow” from the Paramount motion picture “Dr. Detroit”; Richie Havens’ “Cuts to The Chase” (Rhino Records); “Change of Heart,” Jon Gibson (Frontline Records); and Jeff Bell’s “One Man’s Trash” (self-produced).
Jimmy’s videography credits include the music video “Draw of the Cards” (Kim Carnes); “Wake Up” (Richie Havens, Broadcast ABC); “Rock in Riem/Rock am Ring” (MTV Europe); “Sly and The Family Stone” documentary (air date/time unknown); “Jimmy Mack Live” (Promotional DVD); and work in commercials. (For viewing go to http://www.youtube.com/pu4f).
Currently Jimmy plays a variety of live performances with local and nationally known musicians. These include One Man’s Trash – a rock and roll band that clearly by represents Jimmy’s diverse playing ability, Tommy Dukes Blues Band, Sir Harrison and the Blues Kings, The Tom Tayback Band, Smack Dab, Ray Rossi, The Saul Kaye Band and others. His sought-after talent as a bassist keeps Jimmy’s blues and R&B chops in the pocket.
A knowledgeable player and excellent equipment technician, Jimmy Mack takes his bass gear seriously and demands performance from the pro equipment he chooses. He prefers to use his “vintage” Fender Jazz and P basses from the ‘60s and ‘70s or his ’82 Jazz Special. Jimmy currently has an endorsement with SWR® bass amplifiers (a division of Fender Guitars) and was invited to play at their booth at the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Show in Anaheim, CA in January, 2009. (Check him out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ffoyauldkuk&feature=channel)
For over 30 years Jimmy has had the talent and good fortune to play with, or share the stage with, some of America’s best musical artists. These include:
Played with either studio or live:
Michael Shrieve(Santana)
Coke Escovedo (Santana)
Pete Escovedo (Santana)
Lydia Pense (Cold Blood)
Sly and The Family Stone
Edwin Starr
Eddie Hazel (Parliament, Funkadelic)
Jonathan Moffit (Jackson Five, Madonna)
Tony Patler (George Michaels)
Jon Gibson
Richie Havens
Leslie West (Mountain)
Bo Diddley (back stage at The Grammys)
Michael Barsimonto (Jean-Luc Ponty)
James Gadson
Joe Blocker
Gail “Mojo” Muldrow (Sly, Graham Central Station, Merl Saunders, Johnny Otis)
T K Carter
Shared stages with:
War
The Tramps
Bill Withers
Marvin Gaye
Peter Gabriel
Smashing Pumpkins
Marsha Ball
Charles Brown
Stevie Wonder
Patty LaBelle
Brock Peters
Gloria Gaynor
Indigenous
. WwW.SparkleTags.Com
YOUR BASS???!!!!!!!! Did it happen that night at the jam?!....On a lighter note...I dug the CD. Liked the mix of funk/western/blues....Bouncy....I know,big whoop, it doesnt get your bass back...I hope you find it and the unfortunate person who took it.
