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James Genus
Genus was born in Hampton, Virginia. He began on guitar at age six and switched to bass at 13. He studied at Virginia Commonwealth University from 1983 to 1987 where he studied under jazz great Ellis Marsalis (father of Branford, Wynton and Delfeayo). Receiving a degree in jazz studies, he later moved to New York and played and recorded acoustic and electric bass for some of the biggest talents in jazz, including David Sanborn, Bob James, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, and Wynton Marsalis, who is called the most influential jazz musician of his generation.
While you can hear Genus every week playing in the Saturday Night Live band, his double bass contributions to Dave Douglas' Meaning and Mystery and Bob James' Urban Flamingo shows why Genus is among the most in-demand jazz bass players in the world.
He has played with Out of the Blue (1988-89), Horace Silver (1989), Roy Haynes and Don Pullen (1989-91), Nat Adderley (1990), Greg Osby and New York Voices (1990-91), Jon Faddis (1991), T.S. Monk (1991), Benny Golson (1991), Dave Kikoski (1991), Bob Berg (1991-96), Geoff Keeze (1992), Lee Konitz (1992), Michael Brecker (1992-96), Bob James (since 1994), Michel Camilo (since 1995), Elysian Fields (since 1995), Branford Marsalis (1996), Chick Corea (1996), Dave Douglas (1996), Uri Caine (1997), Global Theory (1997), Bill Evans (saxophonist) (2005) and Herbie Hancock (2008).
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JD Walter: What the World Needs Now
by Pierre Giroux
JD Walter beckons listeners into a soulful and captivating journey through modern jazz interpretations of non-jazz material. With his unique vocal stylings and innovative arrangements, he brings a fresh perspective to familiar popular tunes, and several jazz standards, while delivering thought-provoking original compositions. From the very first track--Stevie Wonder's “Golden Lady"--it is evident that Walter's vocal prowess is a force to be reckoned with. He dashes along in full flight and then effortlessly shifts into intricate ...
read moreRyan Kisor: Power Source
by C. Andrew Hovan
Taking full advantage of what might be termed his “second wind," Ryan Kisor has grown into one of the most mature trumpeters of his generation. Back in 1990 when he impressed his elders by taking the prize at the Thelonious Monk Institute trumpet competition, things appeared promising and a major record label deal even came through the following year, but it might have been a slight case of a bit too much too soon. It seemed as quickly as his ...
read moreDavid Kikoski: Surf's Up
by C. Andrew Hovan
It seems that the show tunes of the '30s, '40s, and '50s have served as fodder for several generations of jazz musicians, either providing their own melodies for subsequent development or lending their harmonic framework for the jazz writer to use as a basis for an original tune. Most recently, we've seen attention begin to shift to popular material of the current set with some interesting results. Pianist Kenny Barron has recorded a delicate version of Sting's “Fragile," Bob Belden ...
read moreConrad Herwig: Land of Shadow
by C. Andrew Hovan
In the spirit of Miles Davis and a select number of his followers, Conrad Herwig in the course of his musical endeavors spanning some 20 years has strived to keep the music inching forward to new and previously undiscovered vistas. His versatility as demonstrated by an ability to transcend genres, be it Eddie Palmieri's Afro-Cuban muse or the repertory bent of the Mingus Big Band, also raises its head in his outstanding series of Criss Cross recordings that began with ...
read moreOz Noy: Snapdragon
by Mike Jacobs
It's an old sentiment but it still holds that great instrumental chops, enthralling as they may be, are fairly meaningless on their own. And quite frankly, they are pretty ubiquitous these days with the internet exposure machine going full tilt. Given all that, it's quite easy for the listener to become inured with technical prowess-- especially wizardry of the fretboard. So to say Oz Noy is a fantastic guitarist just isn't enough anymore. It's fortunate then that what ...
read moreLuba Mason: Triangle
by Jim Worsley
The rather smarmy “Bach, Stevie Wonder, and Janette Monae" opens this live performance. While disconcerting, the tide shifts dramatically with The Beatles' John Lennon-Paul McCartney classic “Ticket to Ride." It is reimagined in a sultry and just short of brilliant manner. Luba Mason's vocal phrasing brings an entire new essence to this tune. Bassist James Genus plays a line throughout which is a slow groove with a lot of feeling. Vibraphonist Joe Locke solos in spectacular fashion, while percussionist Samuel ...
read moreDave Douglas Quintet: Live at the Jazz Standard
by John Kelman
Trumpeter Dave Douglas' a six-night run at New York's Jazz Standard in December, 2006, was relatively revolutionary in the jazz world. Every set, featuring his longstanding quintet, was recorded and made available the following morning in downloadable MP3 format. The twelve sets included nearly everything from The Infinite (RCA, 2002), Strange Liberation (RCA, 2003) and Meaning and Mystery (Greenleaf, 2006), as well as fourteen new pieces. Live at the Jazz Standard collects the best performances of this new material into ...
read moreSteve Wilson Sets "Super Band" Tour for April, with Patrice Rushen, James Genus and Billy Kilson
Source:
Seth Cohen PR
Steve Wilson Injects Some Funk with 'Super Band' Tour in April; Four Nights at Jazz Standard in NY are Confirmed, as are Shows in D.C. and VA Wilson Hits His Stride, Builds New Collaborations for 2012 Acclaimed jazz saxophonist Steve Wilson aims to 'get funky' with his Super Band tour, set for April. The Steve Wilson Super Band features Patrice Rushen on piano and keyboard, James Genus on bass and Billy Kilson on drums. The tour will begin with a ...
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Guitarist Adam Rogers with Chris Potter, James Genus, Jeff Tain Watts November 6 @ Jazz Gallery
Source:
All About Jazz
November 6th with Chris Potter, James Genus, Jeff Tain Watts $12 / 9pm & 10:30pm / 212-242-1063 290 Hudson Street @ Spring Street
Adam Rogers has forged a reputation as one of the best finest guitarists in the world by way of his starring role with many of the greatest in jazz, pop and world music: Walter Becker (of Steely Dan); Brian Blade; Terence Blanchard; Michael and Randy Brecker; Regina Carter; Ravi Coltrane; Larry Coryell; Elvis ...
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Bob James Trio Featuring Billy Kilson and James Genus at the Blue Note, February 4
Source:
All About Jazz
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