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Jon Mapp

Jon Mapp sounds like no other bassist. He uses a bass guitar, a wooden box and a laptop to record layered pieces, creating music that is expressive, compelling and indelible. Jon is quickly emerging as a truly individual voice on the bass, known for his unorthodox technique and creative approach to improvising.

A bassist since the age of thirteen, Jon spent much of his teenage years making experimental electronic music on his computer, before deciding to focus exclusively on the bass. He went on to study jazz at Trinity College of Music and the London College of Music. In 2013, having spent several years writing music for others and his trio, Jon began composing for solo bass with live-layering. After months of hard work and practise, he recorded 'The World Will End With a Bang', his debut solo album.

Jon's musical influences are varied, and include the likes of Kenny Wheeler, Aphex Twin and Nick Drake, as well as classical composers such as Lutosławski and Messiaen. His signature compositional style often includes strong memorable melodies combined with harmonic movement filled with different, complex colours, always with the feeling of movement and building towards something.

Musical collaborations include 'The Creation Project' with Noraay, a mix of Arabic, Hip Hop and Jazz music; Agata Kubiak, playing Jazz inspired by Polish Folk and Rock; and his own piano trio, releasing 'Amnesia Holidays' EP in 2011. He has toured across three continents, and performed at Jazztopad Festival, Dakar Jazz Festival and London Jazz Festival, and regularly gigs in London as a sideman for jazz, funk and pop acts.

Awards

London College of Music, 2009, Jazz Fellow Grant London College of Music, 2008, Outstanding Contribution to the Jazz Department

Gear

Hohner B2AV Bass Guitar Euphonic Audio Micro and Wizzy 10 AER 60 Compact Logarhythm Stomp Box Keith McMillen Soft Step Pedal Ableton Live


Tags

5
Album Review

Jon Mapp: The World Will End with A Bang

Read "The World Will End with A Bang" reviewed by Eyal Hareuveni


British electric bass guitarist Jon Mapp suggests two parallel ways to experience his debut solo album. The first, and most impressive one, feature his unorthodox technique and personal improvisational approach. Mapp plays the bass guitar as an instrument that its sonic spectrum is similar to the acoustic guitar, varying his gentle, melodic touch with percussive sounds. He uses pedals and a laptop to create different looping layers of music and trigger electric effects. The second way ...

6
Take Five With...

Take Five With Jon Mapp

Read "Take Five With Jon Mapp" reviewed by Jon Mapp


Meet Jon Mapp: Jon Mapp sounds like no other bassist. He uses a bass guitar, a wooden box and a laptop to record layered pieces, creating music that is expressive, compelling and indelible. Jon is quickly emerging as a truly individual voice on the bass who is known for his unorthodox technique and creative approach to improvising. Instrument(s): Bass. Teachers and/or influences? Paul Westwood; he was my teacher for over five years, and--in ...

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'A real refreshing debut from bassist Jon Mapp. Taking influences directly from the classical guitar and attributing them stylishly to the bass, Mapp's sound manages to appear unique whilst still maintaining a proportionate amount of familiarity with the listener. The fact that he plays an electric instrument adds to the E.P's distinctive characteristic and the trio rattles through four tracks of improvised melodic motifs. Well worth a listen.'

Josh Jennings, Jazz Shaped, December 12th 2011, on Amnesia Holidays EP by Jon Mapp Trio

'Jon's creativity blew me away...'

Noraay

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

The World Will End...

We Are K Records
2014

buy

Fanfare for the Owls

From: The World Will End with A Bang
By Jon Mapp

Videos

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