One-of-a-kind artist tells FBPO about his unconventional approach to the bass
Exclusive interview with FBPO’s Jon Liebman
February 10, 2014
Hailed by many as the world’s leading solo bassist, Michael Manring has been pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on the bass guitar for over two decades. A student of bass legend Jaco Pastorius, Michael has honed his skills on hundreds of recordings and thousands of live shows around the world, working with a diverse collection of artists including the late guitar genius Michael Hedges, New Age keyboardist Suzanne Ciani, avant-improv guitar innovator Henry Kaiser, celebrated folk troubadour John Gorka, experimental post-metal rockers Tim Alexander (Primus) and Alex Skolnick (Testament) and electro-pop pioneer Thomas Dolby.
Manring has earned two gold records, GRAMMY and Bammie nominations, a Berklee College of Music Distinguished Alumni Award, two “Just Plain Folks” Awards and numerous Bass Player magazine Reader’s Poll awards, including Bassist of the Year in 1994. He currently focuses his energies on his innovative solo concerts, where he displays the expressive skills that led the San Jose Mercury News to call him “…a virtuoso electric bassist who’s almost single-handedly re-defined the outer limits of the instrument” and The Philadelphia Inquirer to refer to him as simply “…the hottest bassist today.”
FBPO’s Jon Liebman caught up with Michael at Bass Player Live! 2013.
Watch our interview with Michael!
