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Michael Bates

As a composer and musician, Michael Bates "serves up melodic modernism and contrapuntal elegance" ("Time Out, New York") and his influences range from Shostakovich, Miles Davis and Ornette Coleman to Bad Brains, Wayne Shorter and Joni Mitchell. Known as a both a leader and double bassist in several collectives, he has performed with Quinsin Nachoff, Russ Johnson, Michael Blake, Gerald Cleaver, Dan Weiss, Tyshawn Sorey, Greg Osby, Jeff Davis, Peter Van Huffel, Scott Dubois, Ohad Talmor, Michael Attias, Mike Murley, Shane Endsley, Michael Sarin, Reuben Radding and several others.

His debut CD Outside Sources was called one of the best albums of 2004 by Cadence Magazine editor Bob Rusch. His second album, A Fine Balance (2006) was also exceptionally received and garnered many effusive reviews including several "Best of 2006" designations. Released on the German based record label, Between the Lines, A Fine Balance contains ten compositions that combine exquisite melodies and contrapuntal textures with an organic and interactive approach to playing jazz.

Michael's latest recording is set for a fall 2008 release and will be available on trumpeter Dave Douglas' label Greenleaf. Mr. Douglas notes, "I whole-heartedly recommend taking special note in the Outside Sources project! Michael Bates is a fantastic bassist and an engaging composer. The new CD will feature several more contrapuntal pieces that have been described as "gems that manages to navigate that most difficult and rarely traveled road leading to accessible experimentation...always forward-thinking but also beautiful and within the grasp of even the most casual jazz fan. (Chris Watson, "The View").

Michael grew up in Canada and often worked at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival. Even though he was exposed to musicians such as Sun Ra, Thomas Chapin, the Clusone Trio and Dave Holland, he began playing music in hardcore and punk rock bands and maintains that being a jazz musician is no different. While the music he writes and performs is rooted in the jazz, classical and creative music traditions, hardcore's "Do It Yourself" ethos remains an important component of his music. He is well known as a hard worker and motivated performer.

Michael has recorded three CD's as a leader and over a dozen as a sideman. He has composed well over two hundred pieces of music including works for chamber ensembles, string quartets and solo double bass. As a touring artist, he has visited Europe, Asia, the United States and Canada. Michael has received several grants and fellowships from the Canada Council of the Arts and was on faculty for five years at the Banff International Jazz Workshop.

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Album Review

Michael Blake: Dance of the Mystic Bliss

Read "Dance of the Mystic Bliss" reviewed by Vincenzo Roggero


Veterano della scena downtown newyorchese,Michael Blake porta al debuttto sulla propria etichetta P&M Records, Chroma Nova, ensemble dalla configurazione particolare con quattro strumenti a corda, due percussionisti brasiliani, il leader ai sassofoni e, per la prima volta su disco, al flauto. Difficile individuare un centro gravitazionale preciso in Dance of the Mystic Bliss, forse un'intrinseca vena melodica presente nelle dieci composizioni tutte a firma Blake, ma sarebbe fare torto alla grande varietà di atmosfere, di tessiture e di groove che ...

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Album Review

Michael Blake: Dance of the Mystic Bliss

Read "Dance of the Mystic Bliss" reviewed by Jerome Wilson


This is saxophonist Michael Blake's new group, Chroma Nova, which contains guitar, violin, cello, bass and two Brazilian percussionists. They play a set of compositions, inspired by Blake's late mother, dancer Merle Blake, which rely on fluid rhythms and textures taken in many different directions. Blake is often the main solo voice here but he also blends in with the other instruments to create all kinds of intriguing sonic fabrics. For example, “Topanga Burns" starts with a stately ...

5
Album Review

Michael Bates: Northern Spy

Read "Northern Spy" reviewed by Mark Corroto


Did you ever get a bit envious listening to a recording and thinking the band is having way too much fun making music? I'm not saying Northern Spy stirs up jealousy, but damn the trio of bassist Michael Bates, saxophonist Michael Blake and drummer Jeremy “Bean" Clemons are up to some serious jollification here.This, Bate's ninth release as a leader, diverts from the complex post-bop sounds of his Outside Sources band and Acrobat, his take on Dmitri Shostakovich. ...

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Album Review

Michael Bates: Acrobat: Music For, And By, Dimitri Shostakovich

Read "Acrobat: Music For, And By, Dimitri Shostakovich" reviewed by Raul d'Gama Rose


To set the record straight: America has not taken a step closer to being more tolerant of any kind of musical rebel. It does not tolerate the one that conforms (for he or she too is a rebel), nor does it tolerate the one who is the objector. Like in every other aspect of life--other than art--America finds the staid and middle of the road and one most likely to sell the most records most acceptable. Dimitri Shostakovich was anything ...

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Album Review

Michael Bates: Live In New York

Read "Live In New York" reviewed by Lyn Horton


Prevalent in the musical ethic of Michael Bates is a masterful balance of instrumental and compositional elements. Live in New York is Bates' group Outside Sources--Russ Johnson (trumpet), Quinsin Nachoff (saxophone and clarinet) and drummer Jeff Davis --documented at a Fall 2008 Cornelia Street Café gig. The initial snap of the snare on the opening “Bloodletting," bolstered by the low resonance of the bass, is immediately engaging. Nachoff's searing buzz that follows quickly transforms into tight melody ...

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Megaphone

Michael Bates: Lessons From The Road

Read "Michael Bates: Lessons From The Road" reviewed by AAJ Staff


By Michael Bates

Touring can be both exhausting and exhilarating, especially as a bandleader. The last few months have brought reminders of this as I was planning, booking and finally, actually touring with my quartet in support of my recent CD Clockwise on Dave Douglas' Greenleaf Music label. As part of this tour, Greenleaf asked me to post updates on their blog. One of those posts chronicled a trip from Amsterdam to Lyon that included a botched ...

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Album Review

Michael Bates: Clockwise

Read "Clockwise" reviewed by Wilbur MacKenzie


On Sep. 17, 2008, bassist Michael Bates’ band Outside Sources took the stage for two sets at Cornelia Street Café to celebrate the release of Clockwise, proving itself to be a tight unit that reveled in richness, unpredictability, astounding technical ability and near-telepathic interaction. The press material surrounding the CD directly referz to pianoless quartets led by Ornette Coleman and Dave Douglas. The explosiveness of the improvisational explorations and the richness of the harmonies certainly make those comparisons ...

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Performance / Tour

Contrabassist/Composer Michael Bates on Tour in Support of "Clockwise" on Greenleaf Music

Contrabassist/Composer Michael Bates on Tour in Support of "Clockwise" on Greenleaf Music

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity

Dave Douglas' Greenleaf Music Announces The Release of Clockwise from contrabassist/composer MICHAEL BATES Available September 9, 2008 on Greenleaf Music “There's something about bassists who lead their own groups and write their own music that strikes a deep chord with me (no pun, intended). Michael Bates's new release is right up there with new releases by Drew Gress and William Parker. The playing by all in the band is passionate and Bates' pulse propels Nachoff, Johnson and Davis through a ...

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Recording

Dave Douglas' Greenleaf Music Announces the Release of "Clockwise" from Contrabassist/Composer Michael Bates

Dave Douglas' Greenleaf Music Announces the Release of "Clockwise" from Contrabassist/Composer Michael Bates

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity

Available on September 9, 2008 on Greenleaf Music “There's something about bassists who lead their own groups and write their own music that strikes a deep chord with me (no pun, intended). Michael Bates's new release is right up there with new releases by Drew Gress and William Parker. The playing by all in the band is passionate and Bates' pulse propels Nachoff, Johnson and Davis through a set of fantastic music. These guys take no prisoners. One of the ...

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Festival

Michael Bates

Michael Bates

Source: All About Jazz


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Event

Michael Bates' Outside Sources in Melbourne, Australia

Michael Bates' Outside Sources in Melbourne, Australia

Source: All About Jazz


"Bates demonstrates his rock solid composing skills and enviable technical faculties... Simply put, Bates has the ability to make a huge impact on the existing state of modern jazz!" —Glenn Astarita, All About Jazz

"Outside Sources confirms Michael Bates' commitment to exploration." —Gregory Robb, All About Jazz

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Places, Real and...

AaronBahr Music
2021

buy

Northern Spy

Stereoscopic
2015

buy

Acrobat: Music For,...

Sunnyside Records
2012

buy

Live In New York

Greenleaf Music
2009

buy

Clockwise

Greenleaf Music
2009

buy

A Gathering Storm

From: Places, Real and Imagined
By Michael Bates

Kattorna

From: Crazy Girl
By Michael Bates

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