Upright iconoclast opens up about his approach and a new album
Exclusive video interview with FBPO’s Jon Liebman
November 25, 2019
By David Sands
Miles Mosley has a reputation for being a master of the upright bass. But perhaps it’s more accurate to think of him as a frontiersman, since he makes music that lives in both in the settled and unsettled territories of the instrument and is constantly pushing himself in new and exciting directions. Sometimes referred to as the “Jimi Hendrix of the upright bass,” Mosley is known for his use of pedal effects, embrace of different musical forms and refusal to consign the bass solely to the background in his ensemble efforts.
While he’s classically trained, the California native also has deep roots in the jazz world, having studied with giants like John Clayton and Ray Brown. A skilled vocalist and composer as well as a bassist, Mosley has led a robust solo career. Over the course of his career, he’s also played, recorded and toured with a dizzying mix of artists that includes Chris Cornell, Kendrick Lamar, Mos Def, India Arie, Lauryn Hill, Jonathan Davis of Korn, Jason Mraz, Jeff Beck, Rihanna, and Cee Lo Green. Mosley is also a founder and bassist with the West Coast Get Down, a celebrated collaborative of L.A. musicians.
FBPO’s Jon Liebman had an opportunity to speak with him about bass beginnings, musical influences and his latest releases during a meetup earlier this year at the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre in Detroit.
Watch our interview with Miles!
See Jon’s blog, with key takeaways from this interview, here.
