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Michael Janisch

Michael Janisch has established himself as a tireless creative force across the developing international spheres of contemporary improvised and experimental music.  Based in London (originally from the USA), he successfully traverses this creative topography as a first-call electric & double bassist, MOBO-Award nominated solo artist, composer, prolific producer, and owner of Whirlwind Recordings, which has become one of the world’s premiere indie labels of the last decade.  Janisch’s previous solo albums have been nominated for multiple industry awards, while getting radio spins on Gilles Peterson, NPR, WDR, BBC, JazzFM shows as well as coverage in Jazzwise, Jazz Thing, Downbeat & Concerto Magazines, The NY Times & Guardian and beyond to international acclaim.  His new album Worlds Collide is an electro-acoustic album of original material recorded at Abbey Road Studios and has been described as combining contemporary jazz heavily influenced by both the London/New York scenes alongside free improvisations and soaring melodies over multi-metered grooves, paying hommage to artists such as Feli Kuti & Afro-Beat and the electronic music pioneer Aphex Twin. The album features a cast comprised of some of the world’s most creative improvisers (scroll down).  For real time updates, visit Janisch’s social accounts.

Gear

AMT Microphones
D'Addario Strings, (double and electric)
Pirastro Strings (double bass)
Fender Electric Basses
Planet Wave Cables
Boss Pedals


Tags

5
Album Review

Patrick Cornelius: Acadia: Way Of The Cairns

Read "Acadia: Way Of The Cairns" reviewed by Chris May


No, this is not an ECM album, though, looking at the sleeve art, you would be excused from thinking it was trying to pass itself off as one. Half of the Acadia quartet is indeed European: Estonian-born, German-based pianist Kristjan Randalu and Luxembourg-born, US-based drummer Paul Wiltgen. The other half is American: alto saxophonist Patrick Cornelius and US-born, London-based double bassist Michael Janisch. The music itself is a genuinely transatlantic affair, though the US is the dominant partner: Cornelius' vigorous ...

13
Interview

Whirlwind Recordings: Celebrating 10 years

Read "Whirlwind Recordings: Celebrating 10 years" reviewed by Friedrich Kunzmann


This year London-based label Whirlwind Recordings is celebrating its 10th anniversary and looking back at a decade, during the course of which the label has grown to become an important brand in the jazz scene and beyond, with over 140 top-tier albums released under its name so far. The distinguished mark, which Whirlwind has established over the years, is less defined by a certain roster of artists or a specific sound than it is by a great diversity in musical ...

5
Album Review

Jason Palmer and Cédric Hanriot: City Of Poets

Read "City Of Poets" reviewed by Roger Farbey


The formal structure of this album recorded live at London's Pizza Express Jazz Club on September 23, 2014, centres around Olivier Messiaen's Seven modes of limited transposition, musical modes or scales that fulfil specific criteria relating to their symmetry and the repetition of their interval groups. As with George Russell's Lydian chromatic concept of tonal organization much has been written about this, so this review will confine itself exclusively to the music. The titles of the nine pieces ...

36
Interview

Michael Janisch: The Whirlwind, Paradigm Shift and London's Label of the Moment

Read "Michael Janisch: The Whirlwind, Paradigm Shift and London's Label of the Moment" reviewed by Phil Barnes


However you look at it Michael Janisch is an extraordinarily driven, highly motivated, success story. Not only has he been the founder, owner and force behind London's wonderful Whirlwind Recordings for the last five years, but he has also just released one of 2015's finest albums in the adventurous 2CD set Paradigm Shift. It's no coincidence that the label takes Janisch's nickname “the whirlwind"--at the time of the interview in late October he was two thirds of the way through ...

6
Album Review

Michael Janisch: Paradigm Shift

Read "Paradigm Shift" reviewed by Roger Farbey


This impressive double album recorded live over two nights in 2011 at Pizza Express Jazz Club, London is Michael Janisch's follow-up to his 2010 debut album Purpose Built. The release has been some four years in gestation for the U.S. born, Berklee educated and now UK-based bassist and composer. Additional post-production electronics and effects were introduced over a period of roughly a year, between 2014 and 2015, yielding an extremely satisfying result. The low groan of looped bass ...

692
Take Five With...

Take Five With Michael Janisch

Read "Take Five With Michael Janisch" reviewed by Michael Janisch


Meet Michael Janisch:Freelance double & electric bassist, composer, producer, record label owner & bandleader from the USA, resident since 2005 in London, England. Performances with Joe Lovano, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Mark Turner, George Garzone, Dianne Reeves, Shirley Horn, Evan Parker, Gary Husband, Joe Locke, Walter Smith III, Mike Moreno, Jason Palmer, Jon Irabagon, Logan Richardson, Will Vinson, Ingrid Jensen, Patrick Cornelius, Ambrose Akinmusire, etc. Founder and MD of Whirlwind Recordings. Instrument(s): Double and electric basses

205
Album Review

Michael Janisch: Purpose Built

Read "Purpose Built" reviewed by Edward Blanco


A relative newcomer on the international jazz scene, Michael Janisch is an American bassist currently living in London and making his debut recording with the very impressive Purpose Built, a potent selection of eight original composition and four familiar jazz standards. Janisch offers a diverse repertoire of melody-rich, sophisticated charts in a musical palette of essentially modern jazz which--with its improvisational approach, time signatures and many intricate lines throughout--would at first, seem appealing to only the most discerning of jazz ...

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4

For Sale

Whirlwind Recordings 10 Year Anniversary Sale

Whirlwind Recordings 10 Year Anniversary Sale

Source: Emma Perry Publicity

Whirlwind Recordings celebrates its 10th anniversary this month. Save up to 50% off selected CDs, LPs and DLs! What started out as a simple venture for founder Michael Janisch to release his own music has blossomed into one of the premiere independent labels releasing contemporary jazz and related musics in the world today. Our catalogue consists of more than 140 albums and we’ve had the pleasure of working with over 85 international artists. We have many exciting new releases and ...

3

For Sale

January 2019 Whirlwind Recordings Rebrand Sale - Up To 50% Off Back Catalogue (CDs • LPs • DLs • Apparel) Until The End Of The Month!

January 2019 Whirlwind Recordings Rebrand Sale - Up To 50% Off Back Catalogue (CDs • LPs • DLs • Apparel) Until The End Of The Month!

Source: Emma Perry Publicity

Whirlwind Recordings, the London, UK-based imprint founded by Michael Janisch is celebrating a complete rebranding of the label’s logo and online look, complete with a website overhaul and migration of their old store to the new Bandcamp label page this month. To celebrate, and to say a massive thank you to all their fans for support over the last nine years, they're offering all back catalogue CDs and Digital Albums (over 100 titles) from 2010-2018 at 50% off on the ...

3

Recording

Trumpeter Ryan Quigley To Release "What Doesn't Kill You" September 9 Featuring Paul Booth, Steve Hamilton, Michael Janisch, Clarence Penn

Trumpeter Ryan Quigley To Release "What Doesn't Kill You" September 9 Featuring Paul Booth, Steve Hamilton, Michael Janisch, Clarence Penn

Source: Emma Perry Publicity

Enjoying a career which includes key roles with prominent UK symphony orchestras and big bands, plus recording/touring projects with Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones, Tom Jones and Randy Brecker (to name but a few), trumpeter and composer/arranger Ryan Quigley now unveils his ten-track album What Doesn’t Kill You—a quintet release with Paul Booth (tenor sax, flutes), Steve Hamilton (piano, Fender Rhodes), Michael Janisch (double bass) and Clarence Penn (drums). The album will be supported by a tour featuring special guest pianist ...

1

Recording

Bassist And Composer Michael Janisch To Release Solo Double Disc "Paradigm Shift" October 2 (October 16 USA) + Launch Tour + New Website

Bassist And Composer Michael Janisch To Release Solo Double Disc "Paradigm Shift" October 2 (October 16 USA) + Launch Tour + New Website

Source: Emma Perry Publicity

Some four years in gestation, the ambitious new double-disc project Paradigm Shift from jny: London-based US bassist, composer and producer Michael Janisch sees the Whirlwind Recordings founder enter the spotlight with his multi-level approach to composition and performance. Increasingly growing in stature as a creative artist, with this expansive new album he strengthens his already budding reputation as one of the preeminent bassist/bandleaders of his generation working in contemporary, improvised music. On Paradigm Shift Janisch has taken as its basis ...

2

Recording

Whirlwind Recordings Releases

Whirlwind Recordings Releases

Source: Michael Janisch

Whirlwind Recordings releases First Meeting: Live in London, Volume 1, a collaborate album by Lee Konitz, Michael Janisch, Dan Tepfer and Jeff Williams. Recorded live in London at the Pizza Express Jazz Club. ABOUT THE ALBUM Lee Konitz is “one of the most consistently brilliant, adventurous and original improvisers in the jazz tradition" (John Zorn). His recorded legacy is massive and uniquely influential, stretching back to his recordings in the late 1940s with the Claude Thornhill Band, Lennie Tristano and ...

Recording

Whirlwind Recordings Announces Upcoming Releases

Whirlwind Recordings Announces Upcoming Releases

Source: Michael Janisch

Whirlwind Recordings announces its bumper-crop of upcoming releases for 2014, featuring an eclectic mix of standout albums from known and up-and-coming artists based in NYC, London and beyond. Here's a snapshot: March 11, 2104: Leave the Door Open by Joel Harrison & Anupam Shobhakar. A brand new collaboration featuring cutting edge western improvisation, roots music and Indian classical music. Also features Gary Versace, Hans Glawischnig, Dan Weiss, David Binney and more. April 21, 2014: In the Chop House by London-based ...

Performance / Tour

Michael Janisch With Special Concert Dates In US Midwest Set For January 2014

Michael Janisch With Special Concert Dates In US Midwest Set For January 2014

Source: Michael Janisch

Whirlwind Recordings label boss and internationally-acclaimed bassist and producer Michael Janisch will be performing a series of special concerts in Midwest America in late January this year with a stellar cast of musicians from NYC in Patrick Cornelius, Philip Dizack, Matthew Stevens and Clarence Penn. On the 23rd, a Whirlwind Recordings Showcase Event for Janisch’s performance in St. Paul will take place where he’ll be performing at Studio Z, and anyone who pre-books tickets will be sent a Free 22-track ...

1

Festival

Whirlwind Festival 2013: 18 Bands, Nearly 100 Musicians At Kings Place -- October 10-12

Whirlwind Festival 2013: 18 Bands, Nearly 100 Musicians At Kings Place -- October 10-12

Source: Michael Janisch

Whirlwind Recordings was established in early 2010 by international recording artist, freelance bassist, composer, bandleader, educator and producer Michael Janisch. A US native who relocated to London in 2005, Janisch created the label specifically for the 2010 worldwide release of Purpose Built, his debut solo album. The label has grown exponentially in only three years and now boasts over 30 titles in its catalog, representing some of the most exciting creative music that has been released in the UK, USA ...

1

Recording

Whirlwind Recordings Releases: The Aruan Ortiz And Michael Janisch Quintet - Banned In London

Whirlwind Recordings Releases: The Aruan Ortiz And Michael Janisch Quintet - Banned In London

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity

Whirlwind Recordings Proudly Releases: The Aruan Ortiz and Michael Janisch Quintet - Banned in London U.S. Release Date: January 29, 2013 Featuring: Greg Osby, Raynald Colom & Rudy Royston! ONE OF THE MOST TALKED ABOUT GIGS AT THE 2011 LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL took place at the Pizza Express on Soho's Dean Street by the Aruán Ortiz and Michael Janisch Quintet. On January 29, 2013 Whirlwind Recordings will release this critically acclaimed performance in the U.S. Banned In London has garnered ...

1

Contest

Enter the "Aruan Ortiz & Michael Janisch Quintet - Banned in London" Giveaway at All About Jazz!

Enter the "Aruan Ortiz & Michael Janisch Quintet - Banned in London"  Giveaway at All About Jazz!

Source: All About Jazz

All About Jazz members are invited to enter the Whirlwind Recordings “Aruan Ortiz & Michael Janisch Quintet - Banned in London“ giveaway contest starting today. We'll select FIVE winners at the conclusion of the contest on February 4th. Click here to enter the contest

(Becoming a fan of Michael Janisch at AAJ automatically enters you in the contest.)

Good luck! Your Friends at Whirlwind Recordings About Banned in London

One of the most talked about gigs at the ...

“Awesomely virtuosic double bass” The Guardian

“Michael Janisch is a commanding bassist, who brings a sinewy thrust to the ensemble with masterful agility.” Downbeat Magazine

“Janisch leads his quintet on a rip-roaring ride, doling out heavy grooves, tasty walking lines and melody by the bucketful. Like all good bassists, he knows when to sit back and let the lead instruments have their spot.” Bass Guitar Magazine

“Michael Janisch is a virtuoso on the bass.” Jazzthetic

“Janisch is one of the few bass players out there who plays both electric and upright with equal facility, passion and musicality.” Bass Musician Magazine

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Primary Instrument

Bass

Location

London

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Adjustments

Blue Canoe Records
2021

buy

Acadia: Way Of The...

Whirlwind Recordings
2020

buy

Worlds Collide

Whirlwind Recordings
2019

buy

City Of Poets

Whirlwind Recordings Ltd
2016

buy

Paradigm Shift

Whirlwind Recordings
2015

buy

First Meeting: Live...

Whirlwind Recordings
2014

buy

Tiny Circles

From: Adjustments
By Michael Janisch

All The Things You Are

From: First Meeting: Live in London,...
By Michael Janisch

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