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Over the years, the New York City music scene has become a benchmark for brilliant bass playing. It's where Mingus went from underdog to top dog; where Jaco jammed up and down 7th Avenue South; and where John Patitucci set the standard for doubling. Following in that rich tradition is Mike Pope, who has earned a reputation as Gotham's latest envelope-pushing plucker. Pope's extensive skills are best summed up by Patitucci, himself: "Mike Pope is a real renaissance man. He is a musician of broad scope and tremendous talent. His virtuosity on electric and acoustic bass is rare even by today's standards. His harmonic sophistication is matched only by his ability to improvise on a very high level with great consistency." Indeed, Mike's mastery of the 5- and 6-string electric bass has led to live and/or recording stints with a wide array of artists, including Mike Stern, Chuck Loeb, Anton Fig, Jason Miles and Blood Sweat & Tears. His precision and poise on the upright has brought calls from Joe Locke, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Bruce Barth and David Berkman. And his stylistic and technical command of both instruments has led to "doubling" gigs and cross-idiom hits with the likes of Randy Brecker, the Gil Evans Orchestra and Steve Smith. As a recording artist, Pope's playing and composing is showcased on his two fine solo albums. Walk Your Dogma, his stirring solo debut, features bebop-ignited 6-string blowing that Bass Player magazine said, "burns with white-hot intensity." Lay of the Land, Mike's new release, largely focuses on his fluid upright work and boasts guests such as Michael and Randy Brecker, Mike Stern, John Patitucci, Seamus Blake, Joe Locke and Henry Hey. The nine tracks range from six serious originals to two standards (including a 6-string-and-drums duet on "Cherokee") and a timely version of the "Star-Spangled Banner." Fast becoming an in-demand educator, Pope also participates in clinics worldwide and is on the faculty of the Bass Collective in New York City.
Some of Mike's recent credits include an international tour with the Chick Corea Elektric Band, two stints with drummer Bill Bruford, including a live record to be released in mid 2005. The record features Steve Wilson, Alexander Sipiagin, Tim Garland, Rock Cicerone, Chris Karlic, John Owens, and the great Henry Hey. Other recent gigs include John Tropea (after a last minute call from Anthony Jackson), drummer Gene Jackson of Herbie Hancock fame, and appearances at Euro Bass day in Verona, Italy with Matthew Garrison and Dominique DiPiazza.
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