“On December 1st 2018 nancy manocherian’sJazz @the cell in association with Chamber Music America’s 2017 New Jazz Works program and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation proudly present an evening of straight-ahead Jazz and Be-bop Retrospective performed by Mickey Bass and the New York Powerhouse Ensemble.
This band is exactly what it says it is—A Powerhouse, and maintaining that particular 'mix' as of the following:
Bill Ware, Vibes
James Zollar, Trumpet
Brent Birkhead, Alto Sax
Tommy Morimoto, Tenor Sax.
Mark Johnson, Drums
Mickey Bass, Bass|Bandleader
“Mickey Bass’s long-running ensemble is hard bop with fire and soul; the jumping quintet always lives up to its name.”- Gary Giddins, ‘Voice Choices’, The Village Voice
Legendary Bassist & Bandleader Mickey Bass is a Hard-bop veteran. As a “Jazz Messenger” he Recorded, Composed & Arranged for Art Blakey. Also worked as a Bassist with Billy Eckstine, Hank Mobley, Freddie Hubbard and Sonny Rollins, to name but a few, and Gloria Lynne, for whom he also served as Musical Director. Recordings include stints with; Hank Mobley & Lee Morgan for “Blue Note” Records, Bobby Timmons on “Prestige” and Curtis Fuller on “Mainstream”.
Rising on the horizon is Alto Saxophonist Brent Birkhead, a Baltimore native and graduate of Howard University who has played with Jimmy Heath and Al Jarreau amongst others, and also played regularly @ Bohemian Caverns, D.C. On tenor saxophone is a young man has begun to make quite a name for himself in and around the New York Jazz Scene: the very talented Tommy Morimoto. Bill Ware, Vibraphonist is a former Jazzmobile student and graduate of Montclair State, also making his voice heard on the New York Jazz Scene. Finally Mickey Bass, bombadier has played with Abbey Lincoln, Geri Allen, Stanley Turrentine, Cassandra Wilson, David Murray and Mark Johnson.” - Mickey Bass
