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Mickey Bass

Emanating from a musical hotbed in Pittsburgh; his maternal grandmother performed in minstrel shows, and taught piano; she had graduated cum laude; taught English to Italian immigrants, and taught Mickey & his cousins Barbershop Harmony. Her daughter, Mickeys' mother also sang & danced. He was born, into all of this on May 2nd 1943... Lee Oddis Bass III.

A Pittsburgh born Bassist, who became, and is, a Major force on The New York Jazz Scene for more than 40 years.

In 1966 Downbeat declared him to be “A first rate soloist!” In 1970 Downbeat said “Definitely worth listening to! His melodious ideas are something to behold..." While performing with the great Jimmy McGriff "Essence" Magazine cited him to be "The Heartbeat of The Group" and while playing with Freddie Hubbard, Lee Edwards found Mickeys' Ensemble work to be "Nothing short of brilliant!"

Mickey Bass has Played, and Recorded with; Bennie Green, Sonny Rollins, Charles Mingus, Kenny Dorham, Jackie McLean, Billy Eckstine, Johnny Hartman, Joe Henderson, Sonny Stitt, Ramon Morris, Reuben Wilson, Freddie Hubbard, Art Blakey & The ‘Jazz Messengers‘, Ruth Brown, Carmen McRae,Miriam Makeba, Gloria Lynne (for whom he also served as Musical Director for seventeen years) Hank Mobley, and Lee Morgan.

Teacher; ‘Bass’ “Jazz-Mobile, Inc.” 1965 to present An Organization founded by Dr. Billy Taylor, in 1965, who’s ‘Mission’ was; to bring free Concerts to the Neighborhoods’ and Communities’ of New York City…which they did .An Educational Program ensued: As Curriculum Coordinator, Mickey ‘shaped’ and ‘supervised’ the program, to; consistently elevate the level of Education, and awareness, made available to the General Public, through “Jazz-Mobile, Inc.”. Mickey’s Accredited College Curriculum, “The Diminished Whole Tone Concept” 2006 is currently being used at “Jazz-mobile”, as a ‘Model’ for other teachers to follow.

In recognition; of the importance of ‘Cultural Enrichment Programs’, in our Public Schools; Mickey taught at two Elementary Schools in East Harlem, one of which was for “intellectually gifted children”. As a result of observation, of Mickeys’ teaching; a Book was written, edited by Dr. Billy Taylor, and published through “Jazz- Mobile, Inc.”; “An Arts Enrichment Educational Program”, a teaching ‘primer’ for Elementary Education. This book is an intended ‘guideline’, to impart the fundamentals of Music.

Adjunct Faculty Professor; “Hartt College of Music”, Hartford. 1982 to 1985

Engaged by Jackie McLean, Chairman, to offer something vital, to students, in addition to their curriculum; from a working Musician, put in terms made tangible for them; Born of necessity; to impart to his students, the ‘meat’ and the ‘essence’ of this music; Mickey began to formulate and teach his Original Improvisatory Method,“The Diminished Whole Tone Concept”(c)2006, which was ‘accredited’ there, at “Hartt” as a 2 Year College course. In addition to this, Mickey also taught ‘Jazz Arranging’ and ‘Transcription’.

Teacher; ‘Bass’ “Ellington School of the Arts, Washington, D.C.” 1975 to 1978

Though initially invited to teach ‘Bass’, a 'Jazz Ensemble' evolved, and writing Arrangements for them... Mickey was re- engaged to; Conduct, Orchestrate, and Arrange; Music, for a Play entitled “Langston”; based on Langston Hughes’ life in Harlem, in the 1930’s.

Mickey Bass: “A particularly rewarding ‘role’, was functioning as Director of ‘The Jazz Ensemble’; for which, I did all the Writing, Arranging, and Conducting for the students. The Musical Repertoire was vast, and diverse and of course, included a ‘goodly’ amount of Ellington’s Music, which I especially enjoyed arranging. During this three year period, I had the pleasure of nurturing ‘The Jazz Ensemble’ to an eventual state of maturity and sophistication. This ensemble evolved to such a level of Musical Excellence, that what resulted was Producing a sound recording of the group. In September I was asked to return to Washington, to do a Television production with this ensemble; a ninety minute show, in two segments - the first based on Langston Hughes’ life in Harlem in the ‘thirties - a Play, set to Music, entitled “Langston”, played by former members of ‘The Jazz Ensemble’ (whos’ members, perhaps I should include, included Wallace Roney & Eric Allen).In addition to ‘arranging the score for the play, Mickey also arranged a fifteen minute Dance sequence,set to Duke Ellingtons’ Music, and played by current members of ‘The Jazz Ensemble’. It was called “A Night at Ellington”. I assumed sole responsibility for the Arrangement of the entire Musical format".

The T.V. Show, “Ellington, ‘Live’” was taped, for possible syndication.

The show was aired by W.E.T.A. as “A Night at Ellington.”

In 1979, The Show won an ‘Emmy’, for the entire Musical format.”

Mickey Bass also Wrote, Arranged, and Conducted a variety of Music; including some Ellington, and some of his own Compositions for; “The Ellington Jazz Ensemble”,who performed at “The Whitehouse”,as part of The Inaugural Festivities for President Jimmy Carter, in 1977.

He wrote & arranged; Four Octet Arrangements, for Chico Hamilton, and many Original Compositions.

His Compositions have been recorded by; Lee Morgan, Hank Mobley, Reuben Wilson, Art Blakey, Ramon Morris, George Cables, Ronnie Mathews, Richard Wyands, Rahn Burton, and are also featured on John Hicks’ “Piece for My Peace”, and on a tribute to Earl ‘Fatha’ Hines, “Fatha’s Day”. Mickey’s Compositions can also be found on his own Record Label; “Early Bird”, which he founded in 1990. Both Wynton and Branford Marsalis played in Mickeys’ Bands, before moving to play with Art Blakey. Mickey’s Compositions are amongst the tunes they cut their chops on, during their tenure with Art Blakey’s “Jazz Messengers”.

Broadcast; “Adventures in Jazz”; Interviewing; Mary Lou Williams, Randy Weston, and Leonard Feather, amongst others. Interviewing Mr. Feather, was a particularly interesting ‘turnaround’, because here was a Jazz Musician (Mickey), interviewing an established Music Critic, who, at that time was writing for “The Los Angeles Times”. The Interview is ‘archived’ in “Pacifica” Radio.

Presented; the T.V. series, “New York Art Exclusive” for Manhattan Cable T.V.

Volunteered; for “The Jazz Foundation of America’s” Annual Fundraiser, “A Great Night in Harlem”, at The World Famous Apollo Theatre, Harlem. Mickey worked at this event, for three consecutive years, as an Assistant Stage Manager. Also volunteered; at a Benefit for Woody Shaw, as Stage Manager.

A Synopsis of his Musical Career can be found in; “The Encyclopedia of Jazz”, for the ‘seventies,and the ‘nineties.

Awards

A National Endowment for the Arts, Composer’s Grant, in 1980; with which he wrote a String Quartet with Jazz Rhythm Section and miscellaneous percussion.

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Fulfilling what has been lacking...

by AAJ Staff
April 18, 2009

By Mickey Bass Jazz, as we once knew it, has become a thing of the past. For a lot of years clubs and promoters have been saying that this music is dead. My response to that statement is, “How can jazz be dead when its creators are still alive and well and creating?" In other words; if it ain't broke... we wish you wouldn'a fixed it... Years ago if you turned on the radio, within ...

336

Take Five With...

Take Five With Mickey Bass

by AAJ Staff
April 1, 2007

Meet Mickey Bass:Instrument(s): BassTeachers and/or influences? My first teacher, William Lewis, with whom I studied in Pittsburgh. The greatest influences on me, musically and compositionally speaking, have been John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Maurice Ravel and Lili Boulangere.I knew I wanted to be a musician when... I was twelve years old, went to junior high school, and “took up" an instrument, which was the trumpet. This lasted about six months until in band ...

387

Album Review

Hank Mobley: Thinking of Home

Read "Thinking of Home" reviewed by Richton Guy Thomas

by Richton Guy Thomas
January 22, 2003

The great jazz critic Leonard Feather once described Hank Mobley as the middleweight champion of the tenor saxophone. Not a name that the novice jazz fan may recognize, Hank Mobley recorded over twenty LPs for Blue Note. Thinking of Home is his last title for Blue Note; released in 1970, this is a fitting farewell session. It features the powerful trumpet playing of Woody Shaw and the exciting pianist Cedar Walton. Hank Mobley's playing has a fire that ...

331

Album Review

Hank Mobley: Thinking of Home

Read "Thinking of Home" reviewed by Robert Gilbert

by Robert Gilbert
November 3, 2002

Hank Mobley’s conclusion to his long and storied association with Blue Note Records has finally made it to CD through the label’s Connoisseur series. Thinking of Home, which was recorded on the last day of July in 1970 but not made available until ten years later, shows that the tenor saxophonist was still building on his trademark hard-bop style. A three-part suite that opens the album features Mobley dabbling with long-form composition and “Justine” has him providing a stimulating framework ...

TV / Film

The Bebop Channel Launches Aiming to Disrupt Traditional Jazz Media

Source: All About Jazz
December 5, 2018

The first television station focused solely on jazz culture launched this week; The BeBop Channel is an OTT channel available at beboptv.com and on Amazon Prime Video. The channel, identified as “Jazz – Hip Hop all Grown Up”, was created out of the realization that jazz lovers are relegated to PBS-style documentaries if they have interest in video programming. The BeBop Channel promotes the overall jazz culture through scripted television series, reality-based shows, lifestyle magazine programming and films—featuring the music, ...
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Event

Mickey Bass & His Quartet “the Manhattan Burn Unit" at Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club

Source: Brownstone Entertainment Complex, LLC
April 3, 2015

On Sunday April 12th Mickey Bass will be appearing at Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club 1719 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland 20814. Recently Branford Marsalis graced the acoustically divine Venue with his Quartet, appearing with Mickey will be a hot little ensemble out of N.Y.C. who will guarantee to put a little pep in your step and glide in your stride; The Manhattan Burn Unit features Anthony Wonsey (keyboards), Charles Davis Jr. (saxophones), Mark Johnson (drums) and Mickey Bass (bass). ...
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Performance / Tour

Mickey Bass Manhattan Burn Unit

Source: Brownstone Entertainment Complex, LLC
March 11, 2014

Legendary Bassist & Bandleader Mickey Bass is a Hard-bop veteran. As a “Jazz Messenger” he Recorded, Composed & Arranged for Art Blakey. Also worked as a Bassist with Billy Eckstine, Hank Mobley, Freddie Hubbard and Sonny Rollins, to name but a few, and Gloria Lynne, for whom he also served as Musical Director. Recordings include stints with; Hank Mobley & Lee Morgan for “Blue Note” Records, Bobby Timmons on “Prestige” and Curtis Fuller on “Mainstream” ...This event is also to ...
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Event

Mickey Bass & Manhattan Burn Unit @ Sista's Place

Source: Brownstone Entertainment Complex, LLC
November 26, 2012

Event

Mickey Bass & The New York Powerhouse Ensemble at Scullers Jazz Club on August 29, 2012

Source: Brownstone Entertainment Complex, LLC
August 19, 2012

There is a new CD, out on the “Early Bird" Record label; “The Mickey Bass New York Powerhouse Ensemble - 'Live' at The Jazz Corner of The World." The band featured on this CD is the same one that opened the JVC Jazz Festival in 2002, playing at the Schoenberg, and at Gracie Mansion.They received standing ovations at the Clef Club in Philadelphia, and were declared the “Highlight" of The Mellon Jazz Festival. The high intensity of this band of ...
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115

Performance / Tour

The Mickey Bass New York Powerhouse Ensemble

Source: Michael Ricci
April 8, 2010

For over three decades, Goddard Riverside has hosted a series of Musical Evenings featuring outstanding musicians; The high intensity of this band of Players, with their 'take no prisoners' attitude promises to be a rare Musical treat, and is not to be missed! This band is exactly what it says it is -- A Powerhouse, and maintaining that particular 'mix' will be; Lakecia Benjamin; Alto Sax, Charles Davis Jr; Tenor Sax, Alan Palmer; Piano, Eric Allen; Drums and Bandleader Mickey ...
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239

Performance / Tour

"The CO-Operation" Featuring Bryan Carrott at "Jammin' on the Hudson" on August 9th

Source: Michael Ricci
July 28, 2009

Riverbank State Park, in association with Brownstone Entertainment Complex, LLC, for our fifth consecutive year are pleased to present: “Jammin' On The Hudson".

On Sunday August 9th we Present; The Co-operation. This Band is the brain-storm of its Bassist/Leader, who left working with Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers to form this band. Band alumni include John Hicks, Michael Carvin, Robin Eubanks, Clifford Adams, Steve Nelson, Wallace Roney, Bobby Watson, Chico Freeman and Wynton Marsalis... The objective of ...
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201

Event

Mickey Bass & the New York Powerhouse Ensemble

Source: All About Jazz
January 30, 2009

UPDATE! Now with SPECIAL GUEST ARTIST JAMES SPAULDING! Combine the exquisite dining experience of “Creole” with the flavor of Internationally known Jazz Artists; toss in the nostalgia of an ambiance found in elegant ‘Supper Clubs’…..and you have our “Jazz legacy Series” Brownstone Entertainment; Bringing Jazz back ‘Uptown’…..to what was once the ‘spawning ground’ of the ‘Be-bop’ Era, and its’ Traditions….. The weekend of Friday February 6th and Saturday February 7th will launch the series, celebrating a Brand new ‘Killer’ Record ...
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209

Event

Mickey Bass & the New York Powerhouse Ensemble

Source: All About Jazz
January 25, 2009

Creole Restaurant & Music Supper Club, in association with Brownstone Entertainment Complex, LLC proudly present “The Jazz Legacy Series"

Combine the exquisite dining experience of Creole; with the flavor of Internationally known Jazz Artists in the nostalgia of an ambiance found in elegant Supper Clubs and you have our Jazz Legacy Series

Brownstone Entertainment; Bringing Jazz back Uptown to what was once the spawning ground of the Be-bop Era, and its Traditions.

The weekend of Friday February 6th and Saturday ...
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Event

New York Concert Ensemble: Jammin' on the Hudson

Source: All About Jazz
August 4, 2008

Sunday August 10th 2008; features the re-emergence of an All Star Band

Our Trombonist is an Original Member of The Concert Ensemble, who was also featured on “Sentimental Mood", on “Early Bird" Records. His long, and illustrious career has led him to play, and record with Artists such as Slide Hampton, James Moody, Mongo Santomaria, Lionel Hampton, Dizzy Gillespie, and Aretha Franklin. He has recorded on the “Blue Note", “Impulse" and “Strata East" Record labels. We are more than happy ...
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"THE NEW YORKER" Issue of 2006-11-13
MINTON’S PLAYHOUSE
This Harlem club is synonymous with the birth of bebop. Throughout the nineteen-forties, the cream of the jazz scene jammed with such upstarts as Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, and Kenny Clarke as a new music came into being. Closed since the early seventies, the legendary night spot reopened in the spring. Nov. 10-11: The bassist Mickey Bass, a hard-bop veteran, brings his Manhattan Burn Unit in to stir up new memories.
John Donohue

JAZZ IMPROV. NY Magazine, January 2007
“A seasoned and formidable Bass player, Mickey hasn’t missed a beat... His longevity and musical expertise has deepened and matured with time and experience. The genuine, uncontrived nature of this Music, and its' ability to provide a conduit to the souls of both performers and listeners alike can only serve to inspire."
Mercy Monet

Primary Instrument

Bass

Location

New York City

Willing to teach

Intermediate to advanced

Credentials/Background

Teacher at Jazz-Mobile, Inc. 1965 to present

Mickeys Accredited College Curriculum, The Diminished Whole Tone Concept is currently being used at Jazz- Mobile as a Model for other teachers to follow.

Adjunct Faculty Professor; Hartt College of Music, Hartford, under the Chairmanship of Jackie McLean from 1982 to 1985.

Taught at The Ellington School of the Arts, Washington D.C. from 1975 to 1978.

Although Bass is my Instrument, my teaching Methods derive from my own Original, College Accredited Jazz Improvisation Method and can be equally applied on any Instrument