If you thought you pretty much knew what a bass guitar could do, close your eyes listen to Michael Manring, and think again. Voted among the top ten bassists in the world, Michael continues to go where no bassist has gone before, mixing unorthodox instruments, with a seemingly limitless arsenal of original, virtuoso techniques. His third Windham Hill recording, ``Drastic Measures'', showcased Michael's extraordinary solo mastery as well as his gift for beautifully wrought ensemble compositions. Michael is also known for both his tenure with the group Montreaux, and his long association with guitarist Michael Hedges.
His 1994 release, ``BONK'', will feature a new level of bass wizardry from Michael: mixing the talents of Steve Morse, Alex Skolnick, Steve Smith and Tim ``Herb'' Alexander in an outrageous musical explosion of what Michael's calling ``...the first chamber-thrash record.''
As Musicien Magazine (France) raved, ``I don't know what got me the most: his virtuosity, his talent as a composer, his relish for experimentation or his disarming graciousness...''
Born in Annapolis, Maryland, Michael Manring grew up in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. His love for bass guitar began at age nine. ``I heard the bass on a T.V. theme and knew right away that was the instrument I wanted to play,'' he recalls. During high school he played bass violin in chamber groups and orchestra while also working in local Top 40 bands. From 1979 to 1982 he honed his chops in a popular D.C. fusion group called Natural Bridge. Around that time, he also started playing with guitarist Michael Hedges, who lived in Baltimore and played the same circuit as Manring.
Following a brief stint at Berklee College of Music in Boston, he moved to New York in 1982 and began studying with Jaco Pastorius. Shortly after this important period in his development, Michael played on Hedge's Windham Hill debut, ``Breakfast In the Field'', and has remained a frequent collaborator, touring in tandem with Hedges and playing on the guitarist's subsequent five albums. Manring became a valuable utility man at Windham Hill through his frequent session work, including Will Ackerman's ``Past Light'', ``Conferring With The Moon'' and ``Imaginary Roads'', Ira Stein and Russel Walder's ``Transit'', Interior's ``Design'', and Darol Anger and Mike Marshall's ``Chiaroscuro''. He also became a key member in the label's all star band, Montreux, and appears on ``Sign Language'' and ``Let Them Say''
While Manring continues to add his melodic touches to various Windham Hill projects, he saves up his more provacative ideas for his own albums. And on his latest recording, he resorts to some ``Drastic Measures'' in his continuing crusade to push the bass upfront. As he told ``Guitar Player'' magazine, ``To me, electric bass is so special, so beautiful in any context. I really believe that someday electric bass will be looked at as a high art form.''
And Michael Manring will be regarded as one of its finest practitioners.
Contact Michael through either Windham Hill @ 415-329-0647
