Home » Jazz Musicians » Steve Messick

Steve Messick

Steve Messick is a bassist, composer, producer, and bandleader based in Seattle, Washington.

Steve is the founder and bandleader of the Endemic Ensemble, which has been performing original modern mainstream jazz at clubs in the Seattle area since 2010. The Endemic Ensemble’s debut album, Lunar, made Lucid Culture's "The 20 Best Jazz Albums of 2012." Steve also co-founded the Random Access Quartet in 2013 and the New Bop Brigade in 2002.

Steve has been co-principal double bass for Orchestra Seattle / Seattle Chamber Singers since 2011, and has been a member of the bass section since 1999. Steve has also performed with the Lake Union Civic Orchestra, Seattle Chinese Orchestra, Cascade Symphony, Northwest Mahler Festival, and Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society.

Steve is the owner of Opus Funkus Music, an independent jazz record label and music publisher.


Tags

6
Album Review

Endemic Ensemble: Tangled

Read "Tangled" reviewed by Jack Bowers


Notwithstanding a name that sounds like it could be contagious, the Endemic Ensemble is actually a commendable Seattle-based post-bop quintet whose second recording, Tangled, is packed to the brim with luminous melodies, splendid charts and engaging solos by all hands. While nominally a co-op group, the ensemble was founded in 2010 by bassist Steve Messick who shares composing / arranging credits with pianist David Franklin and baritone saxophonist Matso Limtiaco. The other members are saxophonist Travis Ranney and drummer Christian ...

11
Album Review

Steve Messick: Endemic Ensemble: Tangled

Read "Endemic Ensemble: Tangled" reviewed by Paul Rauch


Veteran composer/bassist Steve Messick has brought back the eclectic group of musicians he formed in 2010, Endemic Ensemble, for a new album entitled Tangled. The session presents nine new compositions, three each from Messick, pianist David Franklin, and saxophonist Matso Limtiaco. The ensemble, rounded out by drummer Christian Krehbiel, and noted saxophonist Travis Ranney, have created an album of solid compositions and arrangements, skillfully crafted in the big band tradition, but presented more with a hard bop edge.

Read more articles

Messick's resonant bass seals any gaps (Jack Bowers, All About Jazz)

Enter Steve Messick on his double bass, calming the moment with tonal security and his big bass sound. (Dee Dee McNeil, Musicalmemoirs's Blog)

Bassist Steve Messick plays with a full-bodied, woody tone and makes every note count (Lucid Culture)

Messick, as the band leader, careens deftly from big band sweep to intimate jazz club swoon (Carol Banks Weber, Examiner.com)

Sounding somewhat like Scott LaFaro, Messick favors a fuzzy, soft tone and straight-ahead arrangements reminiscent of Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers' mid-'60s recordings (Matt Collar, All Music Guide)

Read more

Ray Brown
bass, acoustic
Charlie Haden
bass, acoustic
Paul Chambers
bass, acoustic

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Tangled

Opus Funkus Music
2017

buy

Tangled

Opus Funkus Music
2016

buy

Endemic Ensemble:...

Self Produced
2016

buy

Lunar Recon

Opus Funkus Music
2013

buy

Iron Man

Opus Funkus Music
2013

buy

Blues for Agnes

Opus Funkus Music
2013

buy

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.