Recently, pianist Benet Mclean asked me to name my favorite musical instrument and why? My answer is, at one time and another, I would choose most all of them—depending on, of course, who is doing the playing. But, those who know me understand that I have a long-standing infatuation with the double bass.
The sound produced by a particularly talented and sensitive
bassist who knows how to use the bow to great effect can profoundly complement
a vocal. Singing and writing songs for the bass and voice combination is something
I enjoy. The bow gives emphasis to phrasing that can be at once delicate and, yet,
having great depth of tone.
But the bass is still more. When you want to sustain a
swinging groove you want a hard-driving bass with you. And, to bring on the
funk you bring on the electric bass.
Those are a very few of the reasons why I love the bass as
an accompanying instrument. But, while it is easy to think of the bass as
supporting all other instruments, the truth is the bass can be an exciting solo
instrument too. There is the beauty of a melodically moving bass solo, or with
a more free-flowing and dissonant style it can be a solo that spurs everyone in
the group on to greater creative heights. In the musically-able hands of a risk
taker such as Michael Janisch, those solos become an integral part of the
musical performance that brings out the experimental in a jazz ensemble.
Yes, Mr. Janisch takes risks, and they pay off. He promotes successful music festivals and
tours featuring musicians from US, UK and Europe, and he has established his
own recording label, Whirlwind Recordings, which is already receiving acclaim
in the music world. The once-football-player-turned-self-taught bassist and
music entrepreneur seems unafraid to take on new things. Happily, that applies
to his performances as well.
Janisch’s playing is a firm support to everything being
articulated by the other musicians, but it is never lost behind them. His sound
is a full-strength equal to all that is happening around and with him—at times
individually expressive with commanding runs up and down the bass, or in
musical conversation with the other instruments, picking up and passing along musical
questions and answers.
Michael Janisch can be heard in a great variety of groups
and in styles from the more traditional to the more progressive. I find his
more untraditional moments make me feel something fresh and they awaken the
risk-taker in me as well. See what your reaction is as you listen.
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