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John E Lang

John Lang is a bassist living and working in the NYC Area.

About Me

Bassist John Lang offers a distinguished resume in performance, arranging and composition. Lang is most recognized in New York as a straight-ahead bassist. He can be seen weekly performing in clubs such as Cellar Dog, Little Branch, Ornithology, The Django, The Jazz Forum, Maureen’s Jazz Cellar, Aperiti, and Winnie’s Jazz Bar. John has appeared as a sideman with saxophone greats Grant Stewart and Chris Byars. He is also the host of the weekly jazz concert series First Name Basis. This series, now in its third year is one of the has become a staple of the NYC vocal jazz scene. John is justifiably proud to be one of the house bassists at the Barry Harris Institute of Jazz.

Mr. Lang’s 4th recording as a leader released in November2023 by Cellar Live Music. “Earotica” features both John’s dynamic and creative writing as well as an All-Star lineup of New York city’s top jazzmen. Guitarist Peter Bernstein says of Earotica “John Lang is a great writer and player. He has put together a beautiful collection of artfully orchestrated originals. He writes beautifully for the horns as well as the rhythm section. Fantastic melodies and voicings with surprises around every corner!” The band is currently performing at Ornithology, The Zinc Bar, The RiverArts Music Tour, The Django, The Jazz Forum, The Dobbs Ferry Summer Jazz Series, The Werner Library Music Series. Earotica will be touring the Midwest in Fall of 2024. Mr. Lang’s quartet is currently hosting the “Winnies Jazz Bar” Monday Jam which has quickly become a favorite among players and fans.

Lang founded La Onda Va Bien, the Latin jazz ensemble that recorded 2003’s “La Vuelta,” featuring 10 of his original songs. His second CD, “Lend Me Your Ears,” premiered at Smalls in 2009 and was called “a rare collection of swing and modernity” by reviewer Scott Yanow. Lang is a member of the Kolotov Mocktails, a modern jazz band comprised of stellar jazz musicians from across the United States. The band’s 2020 debut recording “Ivy Hall,” is enjoying radio play and positive reviews from fans and critics alike. He released “Now Ear This,” his first electric project, to rave reviews in 2021. “NET” features 9 original songs as well as fresh arrangements of “Pusherman” and “Four on Six” and was produced by jazz legend John Patitucci. Modern drumming powerhouse Richie Morales noted the album’s “clear arrangements, great solos and tight ensemble work. Take a listen!”

In the Fall of 2023 John was accepted into the BMI Jazz Composers Workshop, the most prestigious writers group in the genre. Lang has recorded and arranged for many Broadway singers including Natalie Toro and Rita Harvey, as well as for the cast recordings of Fat Camp and the Adventures of Flat Stanley. His big band arrangements were featured in the 2006 production of “Little Jack Frost,” a recreation of a 1940s radio show, and he has toured internationally with the Jack Cassidy and Adrienne Hindmarsh trios.

Lang also doubles on electric bass and in that capacity performs and records with Kinny Landrum and the Gumbo Roux, Cady Huffman, Mary Ann Renza and Friends, Rocksteady, Stolen Moments, River of Dreams, and Sis Boom Bah.

He has served on the faculty of the Music Conservatory of Westchester from 2014 until 2020. John maintains a healthy roster of private students. Mr. Lang received a master’s in Jazz Performance from SUNY Purchase in May 2022, under the tutelage of David Wong.

Lang resides in the Hudson River Valley, just north of New York City, with his wife Damaris and son Milo.

My Jazz Story

I love jazz because...it has never left my mind since the first time I heard it. Jazz Bands are Dance Machines.