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Christopher Bates
As a first call bassist in the Midwest, Chris Bates has played with many wonderful musicians including Mose Allison, Lee Konitz, Joe Lovano, Steven Bernstein, Howard Levy, Michael Attias, Bill Carrothers, Ira Sullivan, Eric Alexander, Tim Sparks and Dean Magraw. During the 90’s Chris played with the Motion Poets, touring nationally and releasing three albums to wide critical acclaim. Mr. Bates recieved a McKnight Composers Fellowship for his compostions in 1999. Chris has played on over 30 albums and brings and unbridled joy and enthusiasm to every musical situation he plays in. Currently Chris is involved in several bands: Atlantis Quartet, Enormous, Volcano Insurance, Leisure Valley, Red Planet, Framework and How Birds Work. For more about these bands and other musical adventures Chris is on go to www.chrisbatesmusic.net.
Awards
1999 McKnight Composer's Fellowship
Gear
100 yr old upright of unknown origin with Velvet Compas Blue strings
2004 Geddy Lee Jazz Bass with Ken Smith slick rounds
1977 Jazz Neck on a Mighty Mite P-Bass body with Thomastik flats
Walter Woods 'green light' amp
Acme Low B2 speaker
various effects and other toys
Tags
"Yesterdays Past," a composition by bassist Chris Bates, began in typical
fashion with a lush, lyrical intro featuring mournful horn harmonies. Bates
followed with an eloquent solo that made ample use of silences, harmonic
overtones and dynamics. He played fluid lines and strummed chords. The
song had an unstated yet driving pulse, and it was brought to a rousing
conclusion with an elegant orchestral passage.
...on Kelly Rossum’s ‘Line’, bassist Chris Bates plays a critical role in holding together the loose-limbed sound of the ensemble; his sound is elastic and spacious, present but not obtrusive. - from Jeff Dayton-Johnson -all about jazz