morrie l.

Morrie was born into a musically inclined family in Concord, CA. When he was 12, he began to play the electric bass. A year later he added formal acoustic bass and piano studies. By age 14, band leaders of some of the best Bay Area groups were hiring him to play, sneaking him through the back doors of nightclubs. His dedication to his craft throughout high school led to a music scholarship at De Anza College in Cupertino, California, known for having the finest jazz department in the Bay Area. After graduating in 1980, Morrie toured the world for many years with pop icons: Engelbert Humperdinck, Barbra Streisand, The 5th Dimension, and Paul Anka, to name just a few. These experiences led to my performing with The New York Philharmonic, The Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall. In the nineties, Morrie formed his group: The Morrie Group or MLG. This group featured well-known jazz soloists---to include: Bob Sheppard, Carl Fontana, Rick Margitza, Eric Marianthal, Ralph Moore, and Brandon Fields, among others. It was during that time that he had the great fortune of finding his lifetime instrument---a 300-hundred-year-old Rogericontrabass, circa 1713. In 1996, he built the superb MoSound Recording Studios in Las Vegas, Nevada: a state-of-the-art recording facility where he has spent much time composing and producing. After relocating to New York in 2005, the Morrie Group continued to perform throughout the United States and Europe. Morrie also began playing and/or recording with Mike Stern, John Scofield, Adam Rogers, Howard Alden, Martin Taylor, Don Bradon and many other well-known jazz musicians. He was also hard at work composing and recording his CD Time Piece;. It was recorded, mixed, and mastered at two of the finest studios in New York: Avatar Studios formerly The Power Station, and Sterling Sound. In addition to using horn and string sections, Morrie chose a cast of jazz greats to perform his music: Adam Nussbaum and Gary Novak on drums, Bob Sheppard and Seamus Blake on saxophone, Alex Sipiagin on trumpet, Edward Simon and Mike Eckroth on piano, Lionel Leouke on guitar, string and horn arrangements by Gil Goldstein, and the sensual voice of Gretchen Parlato. Just two weeks after its release, Time Piece hit the Jazz Billboard Charts and remained there for eight months, from May through December. Time Piece was selected Top Ten Jazz Albums of the Year by Downbeat writers. Time Piece was also included in music publisher Chuck Sher's Top Ten list. Dates and locations of upcoming performances can be found at his website: Some Recent Reviews and Info: Chick Corea recently wrote to Morrie saying: I've just heard your CD called Time Piece;" It's a killer! Man, that's some creative and inspiring music you've made! And,----you tear the bass UP! All the best, Chick Corea. Time Piece is a bonafide classic. A Grammy contender for sure.” Edward Blanco – All About Jazz. “s virtuosity was apparent from the opening piece.” Don Heckman – Los Angeles Times “Like Corea, 's music can be intricate in its designs, heartfelt at the core, and virtuosic on delivery.” Josef Woodard-Santa Barbara NEWS-PRESS ”Morrie is one of the best Bassist and Composers I’ve heard in many a year.” Chuck Sher – publisher of “The New Real Book” series “Morrie succeeds brilliantly. A truly remarkable recording.” Brad Walseth – Chicago Jazz“This new CD project is truly a study in artistic beauty. Morrie’s compositions are 2007 & beyond.” George W. Carroll – EJAZZ NEWS “Killer playing, smart leading and taste beyond belief. simply knows his stuff and has it going on.” Chris Spector-Midwest Report “Time piece delivers one exciting and compelling musical treat.” Edward Blanco – Allaboutjazz, Ejazznews and Jazzreview “'s Time Piece has scores of creative ideas – so many I was left wishing for a sequel.” George Harris – All About Jazz Morrie, “You are a monster on the bass and I can’t begin to describe the amount of excitement and joy I felt hearing you play. Truly I was blown away by your extraordinary musicianship and the unique techniques you developed in communicating your message. It’s strong and wonderful.” Gary Karr--World’s greatest classical bassist.