“If you twist my arm and ask me what type of music I play, it’s chamber music!” Fretless bass virtuoso, innovator and recording artist Michael Manring reflects on the evolution of “live” performance and the future of instrumental music outside of the mainstream. This clip is taken from an episode of The Bass Guitar Channel Radio Show with host David C. Gross and Know Your Bass Player “honcho” Tom Semioli.

“David, the electric bass is not a valid instrument…” David C. Gross and guest Michael Manring discuss their time at Berklee and the bold proclamation which forever affected Mr. Gross , how Manring straddles the “pre-Jaco and post-Jaco eras,” Michael’s tuning methodology, and how Joseph Zon helped bring Michael’s aural visions to fruition. This video clip is from a February 2021 episode of The Bass Guitar Channel Radio Show on Cygnus Radio, hosted by David C. Gross with Know Your Bass Player “honcho” Tom Semioli.

Photo by Neil Segal

Evan Jagels fortifies his playing by practicing…. yoga! And likely jazz improv, classical etudes, and similar. A prolific and versatile player, teacher, composer, sideman, collaborator, performing and recording artist, among other titles; Jagels also claims to have created a new musical art form as well…read on!

A harmonically and rhythmically adventurous upright / electric player based in New York City; Evan does things the trad way: he earned a Masters Degree in Musical Performance in the borough known for producing some of the world’s most renowned bassists – Queens College in Queens County, New York. Among his mentors include two icons of the instrument: Ron Carter and Buster Williams.

A member of the Blake Fleming Trio and rockabilly/psychobilly collective The Mopar Cams, Jagels also anchors Elvanelle Music, described as “a time-defying curation of vaudeville, hot jazz, folk, cabaret and contemporary music.” His role as an educator spans the New York Summer Music Festival, the Oneonta Pop Music Experience, JazzConnect at Flushing Town Hall, and SUNY Oneonta. At present Evan is Lecturer of Music at Hartwick College.

Among Jagels wide array of international recording and stage credits include Arlen Roth, Martin Bisi (Swans, Sonic Youth, Herbie Hancock), Paul Berberich, Ray Vega, Gerry Weldon, Antonio Hart, Michael Mossman, Ray Anderson, John Stowell, and Chuck Lamb.

With regard to the aforementioned new genre/art form dubbed Improvignette, says Jagels:  An improvised piece of music under one minute in length which conveys a complete musical idea. It’s a word that I made up, and an artistic idea that I got from flash fiction aka cigarette novels.  

For all things Evan Jagels visit https://www.evanjagelsmusic.com/    

Evan Jagels Sound & Vision:

Blake Fleming Trio:

“Dunderberg Gallery #1”  https://youtu.be/ldOxTOaH13w

“Dunderberg Gallery #2” https://youtu.be/WAp_2Gv0SuQ

“Clip 2” https://youtu.be/QntvmRQJLiY

Freelance Armstrong “The Chicken” https://youtu.be/xoBm_fDx9Lk

“Solo with Loop Pedal” https://youtu.be/v2dD3c3nhvU

Where is the electric bass headed? Who are some of the young cats on the scene in New York City?

Enter Kenji Tokunaga. A former student at the New School of Jazz, Kenji has worked major local venues (Blue Note, Shrine, B.B. King’s) and shared stages with a legend or two or three (Force MDS, Bobby Womack, Geno Young) to cite a few, in this city considered the epicenter of jazz.

A double threat on electric and upright, Tokunaga is an exemplary pocket player, improviser, and soloist, referencing be-bop to hip-hop, rhythm and blues, and beyond.

Kenji Tokunaga Sound & Vision:

John Colonna:

Live from NYC Set 1 https://youtu.be/GtSruKLuz8E

Live from NYC Set 2 https://youtu.be/2mL5WcrqhH4

J Keys: “Corn Rows” https://youtu.be/pqb6yBNJfvw

Courtnee Roze: The Musical Side – B https://youtu.be/xepJMIhdOcc

Kei Owada “A Part of Me” https://youtu.be/S4AYRsiQkP4

Raiche SINGS her Heart out on Complicated for They Have The Range: Sessions! https://youtu.be/MFKOvMJHO-A