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Press
No one looks askance when a bassist pays musical homage to Jamerson or Jaco, but watch the eyebrows raise when someone's solo bass sound and style unapologetically draw from the immortal Michael Manring. Fortunately, Atlanta-based Darren Michaels runs the gauntlet successfully, employing chords, harmonics, and simple melodies to grace his third CD Cumulo with a warm, accessible modesty the employs every inch of his 36-fret Jerzy Drozd-complete with D-Tuners on every string, and he's using them in real-time-without sounding like he's showing off(:Underneath Fish Belly Skies" is particularly sublime). Michaels's artistry isn't just about solo bass' there's his own vocals on several tunes, and some engaging bass-and-drum looping motifs color the record with welcome contrast. But Cumulo's solo bass work is its centerpiece, and the attention to recording detail clinches it, with a bass tone so clean and rich it evokes candlelight shimmering on sparkling glass. (Bryan Beller) - Bass Player Magazine
No one looks askance when a bassist pays musical homage to Jamerson or Jaco, but watch the eyebrows raise when someone's solo bass sound and style unapologetically draw from the immortal Michael Manring. Fortunately, Atlanta-based Darren Michaels runs the gauntlet successfully, employing chords, harmonics, and simple melodies to grace his third CD Cumulo with a warm, accessible modesty the employs every inch of his 36-fret Jerzy Drozd-complete with D-Tuners on every string, and he's using them in real-time-without sounding like he's showing off(:Underneath Fish Belly Skies" is particularly sublime). Michaels's artistry isn't just about solo bass' there's his own vocals on several tunes, and some engaging bass-and-drum looping motifs color the record with welcome contrast. But Cumulo's solo bass work is its centerpiece, and the attention to recording detail clinches it, with a bass tone so clean and rich it evokes candlelight shimmering on sparkling glass. (Bryan Beller) - Bass Player Magazine
Discography
Seasons (2013)
Cumulo (2008)
equilibrium (2004)
green (2002)
Hear them all at http://darrenmichaels.bandcamp.com/.
Photos
Bio
While it still may be novelty, solo bass is becoming more and more accessible. Darren Michaels is at the forefront blending singer/songwriter stylings with virtuosic electric bass playing thrilling audiences around the United States. Drawing upon influences such as Victor Wooten and Michael Manring, Darren goes a step further adding distinctive vocals and thought provoking lyrics. Active since 2000, Darren has performed and recorded in a plethora of styles which is reflected in his four albums as a soloist, green (2002), equilibrium (2004), Cumulo (2008), and Seasons (2013).
Though his ability as a bass guitarists may not be commonplace, Darren has a way of welcoming a widespread demographic to his music. "My goal is to make music to which real people will listen and emotionally connect. I'm not doing it to impress other bassists. There's nothing wrong with music for musicians, but I want to make something my grandmother would listen to," says Darren.
Darren has performed and toured alongside several other big names in the world of bass including Jeff Schmidt, Adam Nitti, Trip Wamsley, Steve Lawson, Stew McKinsey, Christopher "C3" Cardone, Brady Muckelroy, Edo Castro, Todd Johnson, Jean Baudin, Jay Terrien, and Yves Carbone to name a few. A familiar name in the world of bass, many bass websites and publications have featured Darren, most notably was a review of Cumulo in the May 2009 issue of Bass Player Magazine.
Darren currently resides in the Atlanta area with his family. He teaches privately to a limited number of bass students, performs throughout the United States, and holds down the bottom end for numerous bands when he is not performing solo. On top of all that, he tries his best to be an all around nice guy.
When asked about the future of solo bass, Darren says, "I want the term solo bass to disappear. If someone were to pull out an acoustic guitar, its assumed that person has the ability to play without accompaniment. This is not yet so with the electric bass guitar. This instrument has a broad and emotional voice that has yet to be tapped and placed into the public eye...or ear I should say."
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