Michael Formanek
One marker of bassist Michael Formanek's creativity and versatility is the range of distinguished musicians of several generations he's worked with. While still a teenager in the 1970s he toured with drummer Tony Williams and saxophonist Joe Henderson; starting in the '80s he played long stints with Stan Getz, Gerry Mulligan, Fred Hersch and Freddie Hubbard. (As a callback to those days, Formanek recorded with hardbop pianist Freddie Redd in 2013). The bassist has played a pivotal role on New York's creative jazz scene going back to the '90s when he notably led his own quintet and played in Tim Berne's barnstorming quartet Bloodcount. Nowadays Formanek's in the co-op Thumbscrew with Brooklyn guitarist Mary Halvorson and drummer Tomas Fujiwara.
Formanek is also a composer and leader of various bands. His principal recording and international touring vehicle is his acclaimed quartet with Tim Berne on alto saxophone, Craig Taborn on piano and Gerald Cleaver on drums, which records for ECM; 2010's The Rub and Spare Change and 2012's Small Places both earned coveted five-star raves in Down Beat. Formanek writes, and the quartet plays, compositions of great rhythmic sophistication that unfold in a natural sounding way – challenging music the players make sound like lyrical free expression. His occasional groups include the 18-piece all-star Ensemble Kolossus, roping in many New York improvisers he works with. Ensemble Kolossus recorded their first CD of all Formanek originals for the prestigious ECM label in December of 2014. The CD, The Distance was released in February 2016 and in addition to numerous other accolades also received a five-star review in Downbeat!
Formanek's other recordings as leader include Wide Open Spaces and Extended Animation for quintet and Low Profile and Nature of the Beast for seven players (all on Enja), and the solo album Am I Bothering You? (Screwgun). Mirage (Clean Feed) is by the occasional improvising trio of Formanek, tenor saxophonist Ellery Eskelin and pedal steel guitarist Susan Alcorn. Thumbscrew's 2014 debut is on Cuneiform Records. Michael Formanek has also made dozens of recordings as sideman, for among others Dave Ballou, Tim Berne, Jane Ira Bloom, Dave Burrell, Harold Danko, Marty Ehrlich, Tomas Fujiwara, Gary Thomas and Jack Walrath.
As composer of works for ensembles from duo to mixed jazz and classical orchestra, Michael Formanek has received institutional support from Chamber Music America, the Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation, the Peabody Conservatory, the Maryland State Arts Council and the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts.
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Album Review
- The Distance by Dan McClenaghan
Live From New York
Album Review
- The Distance by Alberto Bazzurro
- Convallaria by Glenn Astarita
Year in Review
Live From New York
Radio & Podcasts
Multiple Reviews
Radio & Podcasts
- Michael Formanek, Lopez/Laubrock/Rainey & Piotr Damasiewicz
- Formanek, Berne, Mitchell, Parker, Thumbscrew And More
February 05, 2016
ECM Records Releases Michael Formanek's "The Distance"
October 13, 2011
The 5th Season of Brooklyn Jazz Wide Open Continues With Michael...
January 26, 2011
Brooklyn Jazz Wide Open Continues @ Littlefield - Michael Formanek...
December 04, 2010
Michael Formanek - The Rub and Spare Change (ECM, 2010)
October 30, 2010
Jazz Bassist Michael Formanek Is Back After a Dozen Years Between Albums
October 25, 2010
Michael Formanek Quartet - The Rub and Spare Change (2010)
October 23, 2010
March 24, 2010
Evan Parker with Susan Alcorn and Michael Formanek at The WindUp Space...
July 25, 2006
FAUX FAUX with Baikida Carroll, Tim Berne, Tom Rainey and Michael...
May 21, 2002
Michael Formanek Trio to Perform at Vermont Jazz Center on May 31, 2002
“the formidable American bass-player Michael Formanek’s solo set ranks with the great solo bass performances.” —The Guardian
“…deep propulsion, big beefy tone, a strong sense of line, individuality expressed through avoiding the expected.” —Village Voice
“Mr. Formanek, on bass, has solid intonation, riffing hard and engaging horns and drums in genuinely melodic counterpoint.” —New York Times
“Formanek is a musician first: his wonderful technique is always subjugated to the higher goal of making interesting art…Formanek is riveting.” —Cadence
Photos
Album Discography
Just Me, Just Me
From: The Cave of WindsBy Michael Formanek
Pedernal
From: PedernalBy Michael Formanek
Walls and Roses
From: Artlessly FallingBy Michael Formanek