Michael Herring -Bassist & Composer
Michael Herring is JUNO-nominated a double-bassist and composer based in Toronto who writes, performs and records across genre lines, equally comfortable in jazz as in folk, world, and pop/rock settings. Herring is a major contributor of original music to a number of groups that he leads and co-leads: Michael Herring Quartet, a chordless two-saxophone band drawing inspiration from 1960’s jazz, especially Mingus and Ellington; Way North (New York/Toronto/Ottawa collaboration with Petr Cancura, Rebecca Hennessy and Richie Barshay) exploring folk musics through improvisation – one Ottawa Citizen top Canadian Jazz albums of 2015; Peripheral Vision, a JUNO-nominated modern-jazz quartet co-led with guitarist and long-time collaborator Don Scott. Peripheral Vision has recorded six albums, maintains a busy touring schedule; Michael Herring’s Vertigo, a modern-jazz sextet which recorded two albums featuring New York’s David Binney – the first was included in All About Jazz New York’s Top 5 Debut albums of 2006; and The Uplifters, The Bird Brains and Harrington (New Orleans/Roots), groups where you can hear Herring’s lyrics, and lead and backing vocals. Herring has performed and recorded with such great musicians as Joel Frahm, Ernesto Cervini, Tim Shia’s Worst Pop Band Ever, Kevin Breit, Friendly Rich, Ab Baars (ICP/Amsterdam), Laila Biali, Ken Vandermark, Dave Clark, David Braid, Mansa Sissoko (Mali, Africa), Kevin Turcotte, Bucky Pizzarelli, Percy Sledge, and Ernest Ranglin. He received a Chalmers Arts Fellowship (through the Ontario Arts Council) and used it for an extended stay in New York City.
“…the boss’s bass soars and swoops and the overall impact is tremendous” – Toronto Star
“Michael Herring has established himself as one of the most creative musicians on the Canadian scene” Joseph Blake – Times-Colonist
Michael Herring Quartet
The Michael Herring Quartet is a project that explores the influences and sounds of 1960’s jazz in a classic chord-less quartet format. Influenced by (and playing the music of), Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk and Duke Ellington. With Chris Gale and David French playing tenor and baritone saxophone, and Nick Fraser on drums.
Quartet’s Page
Way North
Way North is a collective band using jazz and improvisation to explore the blues and folk music. You can hear the influence of the Balkans, New Orleans, and Americana. Way North was formed in Brooklyn, by three Canadian musicians (Michael Herring – bass, Petr Cancura – saxophone, clarinet and Rebecca Hennessy – trumpet) with one American musician (Richie Barshay – drums).
Way North’s Website
Peripheral Vision
Peripheral Vision is a JUNO-nominated quartet, co-led with guitarist and long-time collaborator Don Scott; a modern-jazz quartet that brings out the synergy between their strong musical personalities and their complimentary writing styles. Peripheral Vision is touring in support of their new double album “Irrational Revelation and Mutual Humiliation”. With Trevor Hogg on tenor saxophone, and Nick Fraser on drums.
www.peripheralvisionmusic.com