Mark Helias (USA)
Bassist Mark Helias perfectly embodies the traits that the finest creative bassists all seem to share: Beautiful time, bountiful imagination, and in an ensemble context a feeling of rock-solid musical foundation. While best known as a bandleader – his Open Loose trio is terrific – and ensemble member with, over the years, Anthony Davis, Ed Blackwell, Anthony Braxton, Dewey Redman, Oliver Lake, Marilyn Crispell, Wadada Leo Smith, and Don Cherry, for instance, solo playing has long been a key focus of his career. It is a context where those three aforementioned traits are perhaps on best display. Helias’s solo will be an intimate meeting with one of creative music’s true originals.
Sunday 17 September, 12pm, Guelph Youth Music Centre (on a bill with Tom & Gerry), $25/$20
See also BassDrumBone
(photo credit: Jordan Hemingway)