Press
“... one of creative music’s preeminent bassists, whose
approach is muscular yet surprisingly expressive.”
“A touching epilogue marked by Bisio’s gorgeous tone ends this
rare meeting of two master improvisers in which they travel
across various grooves and rarely work at cross purposes.” -
Elliot Simon, New York City Jazz Record July 2019
“ Bisio demonstrates the art of playing free yet within the
prevailing structure, his contrapuntal tone poems one of the
unit’s strongest selling points.” - John Sharpe nycjazzrecord.com/issues/tnycjr201902.pdf
“…especially Bisio whose bass mastery is always a joy to
experience, whether he’s playing a supportive role or showcasing
his sublime talents as a soloist.” - Albert Brooks
albanyjazz.com/topfive/2018-topfive-staff.html
“Le bassiste alterne entre rondeur parfaite et pugnacité
ardente, incarnant deux facettes d’une même tradition.“
“The bassist alternates between perfect roundness and
fiery pugnacity, embodying two facets of the same tradition.” -
David Cristol Jazz Magazine (France)
Jazz bassist Michael Bisio announced as Atlantic Center Master
Artist for the fall
https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2017/08/17/jazz-bassist-michael-bisio-announced-as-atlantic-center-master-artist-for-the-fall
“But even out on the fringe beyond standard constructs and
formulas, Bisio plays his double bass with palpable soul and
mystery, …” - Bao Le-Huu Orlando Weekly
orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2017/11/02/avant-garde-bassist-michael-bisio-spotlights-the-cultural-jewel-of-atlantic-center-for-the-arts-master-artist-residency-program#.WftW6_bqYYo.facebook
“As fully a part of this trio {Matthew ShippTrio} as Ray Brown
was with Oscar Peterson’s or Israel Crosby with Ahmad Jamal’s,
Bisio confirms his skill at timbral integration throughout The
Conduct of Jazz. At the same time Accortet demonstrates that his
leadership talents as composer, arranger and player are as
finely honed, even with unusual instrumentation.” — Ken
Waxman
jazzword.com/one-review/?id=128977
“With the bass of Bisio, Shipp has found his chimeric twin, who
shares much of the pianist's DNA, as the two often share the
same musical thoughts here.“ - Mark Corroto
allaboutjazz.com/live-in-seattle-matthew-shipp-michael-bisio-arena-jazz-review-by-mark-corroto.php
"I Fragments sono momenti in duo che si aggrumano verso il
quartetto, emerge il possente contrabbasso di Bisio, uno dei
maestri contemporanei dello strumento, che fa da collante.” -
Vittorio lo Conte
musiczoom.it/?p=25724#.Vydgx2O1jzJ
“And yet for all his virtuosic capability and improvisational
prowess, it should be noted that Bisio isn’t too proud either to
lay down a straightforward walking line—which he manages to make
as absorbing as anything else, the way great drummers can
outplay technical show-offs with simple quarter notes on the
ride.” - Eric McDowell
freejazzblog.org/2016/05/michael-bisio-kirk-knuffke-row-for.html
“Bisio takes a prominent role, guiding and directing the
ensemble from behind his bass, and laying down sturdy
contrapuntal commentary. His speech like inflections are
noteworthy during his wiry fast fingered solo passage on
"Henry's Theme" and also in his lyric intro to the attractive
mid tempo ballad "I Want To Do To You What Spring Does To Cherry
Trees." - John Sharpe
allaboutjazz.com/accortet-michael-bisio-relative-pitch-records-review-by-john-sharpe.php
“There is a cartoon circulating the internet that depicts a
criminal suspect being interrogated by police. Also in the room
is a jazz bassist. The detective tells his partner, "he'll talk,
everyone talks during the bass solo." That may be true, unless
the bassist is Michael Bisio. Whether performing with pianist
Matthew Shipp or saxophonist Ivo Perelman, Bisio's presence is
always prominent and unmistakable. His collaborations always
tend to be more than accompaniment. He is the constant yin to
another musician's yang” - Mark Corroto
allaboutjazz.com/accortet-michael-bisio-relative-pitch-records-review-by-mark-corroto.php
“Bisio himself looms large even from behind, because of his
innate ability to find the harmonic center of a song. He prefers
to keep things democratic but when he steps out in front, he
maintains his grace and deep melodic sensitivity.”
somethingelsereviews.com/2015/09/02/michael-bisio-accortet-2015/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook
“Michael's playing processes the bass from its rootedness in
jazz tradition through the avant in ways that show him one of
the primary stylistic and virtuoso masters of the bass arts
today. He has a pizzicato and a bowing approach that identify
him immediately (in a blindfold test, let's say) as a player
with the deep tone of bass greats yet a mercurial imagination
that makes for noteful significance and real originality. You
can hear that very much on the Accortet sides.”
gapplegateguitar.blogspot.com/2015/08/michael-bisio-accortet.html
Michael Bisio (review of my solo set at the 2015 International
Society of Bassists convention)
"A veteran of the improvised music scene, it was a treat to hear
Bisio in a rare solo concert. Rapidly jump-cutting from idea to
idea, frequent clips of Mingus, Ornette and more punctuated an
hour of stream-of-conscious freedom, showcasing a verbosity of
language that few improvisers have absorbed. Ferocious, angular
walking breaking hard-right into delicate flautando chords, then
devolving into guttural, bow-grinding chaos, this riveting set
was not merely an exploration of the sonic possibilities of the
double bass. It was a view into the mind of a very open,
sensitive, creative human, and amidst all the thunder and noise,
one could never hide from the raw emotion flowing from Bisio
like a flood." - Jeff Harshbarger, Bass World
(Vol. 38 Number Two 2015)
Rewarding Relationship, Player's Feature on Downbeat by Paul de
Barros
downbeat.com/digitaledition/2015/DB1512/single_page_view/25.html
"Michael Bisio knows how to ‘walk’ the bass—indeed, at a recent
duo concert with pianist Matthew Shipp at the venerable
community space 5C Café in the Lower East Side, amid
exhortations of “Slam Stewart!” from the proprietor, Bisio
exhibited not only a robust, earthy and delicate stomp, but
actually walked around with the bass. He danced with it,
bringing it to a near-40-degree axis from the floor, plucking in
counterpoint to the pianist’s cyclical motions or draping his
body atop the instrument and exploring its registers with a
meaty, incisive arco. Asked about his physical relationship to
the bass, Bisio offers this: “[choreographer and composer]
Meredith Monk has said that ‘all musical truth resides in the
body.’ It rings very true for me, because I believe that
everything can be broken down into vibration and therefore feel.
Although I am sometimes aware of [dancing] happening, mostly I
know because other people tell me. It is apparent I am a
physical player and I have come to understand that the physical
world and spiritual world are very intertwined and, at the best
of times, for me they are one.” - Clifford Allen, The New York
City Jazz Record
Read
the full artist feature
"His distinctive approach features an enormous sound, warm and
woody; impeccable classical bowing technique; a soulful, moody
feel for the blues and swing; and a bevy of extended
techniques." Paul DeBarros, Seattle Times
seattletimes.com/entertainment/bassist-michael-bisio-off-to-claim-spot-on-world-stage/
"Like Shipp, bassist Bisio projected a larger-than-life sound
that nonetheless conveyed a dark tonal beauty. His bowed solos,
particularly one that quoted "My One and Only Love," suggested a
burnished lyricism one sooner associates with the cello." Howard
Reich, Chicago Tribune
articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-06-30/entertainment/ct-ent-0701-matthew-shipp-20130701_1_solo-piano-album-pianism-sound
seattletimes.com/html/musicnightlife/2025573630_bisiopreview1xml.html
“Bisio serves up a poetic performance all alone with a
interpretation of “I’ve Got It Bad And That Ain’t Good” that is
technically astonishing while covering a wide range of emotions
that goes beyond the doleful one heard on other renditions.
“ S. Victor Aaron
somethingelsereviews.com/2015/02/13/matthew-shipp-trio-to-duke/
AAJ Article The Most Beautiful Thing
allaboutjazz.com/somewhat-random-thoughts-in-the-service-of-music-michael-bisio-by-chris-rich.php#.VCl2_0s0ZBU
“Michael Bisio’s almost-telepathic ability to both follow and
propel Shipp’s challenging improvisations speaks to their
extensive joint experience.” jazz.org/events/av-147488
“One of the most virtuosic and imaginative performers on the
double bass Bisio's signature, melancholic con arco phrases flow
in a somber procession with Groder's languid horn on the
mystical and dramatic "Tarried Breath." HRAYR ATTARIAN
allaboutjazz.com/reflexology-brian-groder-latham-records-review-by-hrayr-attarian.php#.U_dRSEsyAdu
“Bisio’s arco technique brings cello-like expressiveness and
more out of his bass for five-and-ahalf enthralling minutes;”
Derk Richardson, The Absolute Sound theabsolutesound.com/articles/matthew-shipp-trio-root-of-things/
“In Bisio, whose resume boasts stints alongside
multi-instrumentalist Joe McPhee and saxophone iconoclast
Charles Gayle, Shipp has found the perfect foil: someone who can
match him blow for blow in a blizzard of notes or spin off
stirring tales at the drop of a hat, while continually providing
expressive plangent counterpoint. “ John Sharpe, AAJ
allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=47272#.U1usEl4yAds
“Listen to how contrabassist Michael Bisio interacts with it
all. He adds so much in a monsterously good way. The deeply
flushed tone, the unexpected or reconfirming note choices, the
way he can walk or be that "second horn", the impeccable touch
and in-the-moment thrust, all that is here in a fantastic way.”
gapplegatemusicreview.blogspot.com/2014/02/matthew-shipp-trio-root-of-things.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Gapplegate
Michael Bisio, Han Bennink in town | Concert preview
blogs.seattletimes.com/soundposts/2014/01/24/michael-bisio-han-bennink-in-town-concert-preview/
“Although Bisio is a comparatively recent associate of Dickey
and Shipp, his spontaneous responsiveness and imaginative
phrasing facilitates sophisticated three-way conversations that
border on the telepathic.” Troy Collins
allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=46919#.Uyl8eNwyAds
"With Bisio's profound bass work in the picture, and the overall
clarity afforded by the absence of drums and cymbals, the
performances take on a more openly emotional character. Bisio's
lush and welcoming bass introduces the captivating Refuge with a
long and absorbing solo, well captured by engineer Jim Clouse,
who records most of Perelman's projects." -IAJRC
"The interplay was uncanny with bassist Michael Bisio
fine-tuned to every move, and delivering the first-set
highlight, a resonant and thumping solo that ended as a bowed
bass elegy themed on Coltrane’s “Naima”. " Mike Hobart,
Financial Times
ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/4c8135f4-2a7c-11e2-99bb-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2IFtMvncD
"His strong presence, both on the rhythmic underfloor and in
the aptness of his reactions, and more generally in the accuracy
with which he enters the conversation, contribute a great deal;
and all this, without even speaking of the roundness and depth
of his sound!"
culturejazz.fr/spip.php?article2082
AAJ interview
allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=39125
"The fleet-fingered and pitch-perfect Bisio ends the piece with
an absolutely jaw-dropping solo."
BBC Review, Bill Tilland bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/f46m
"His personality, his technique, his
skills are all there, but fully in the service of the music,
real music then, with a depth that transcends the physical
aspect of sound : it is so full of deep "human-ness". An
absolute joy to hear, ... " Stef Gijssels
freejazz-stef.blogspot.com/2011/02/michael-bisio-travel-music-self.html
"The sound he produces is bound in rhythm and unrelenting in
expression to exhibit sensitivity to change and range. When he
works within the group, his pizzicatos are strong, relaxed and
thoroughly united with music's direction." Lyn Horton http://lynhorton.blogspot.com/2012/02/matthew-shipp-trio-elastic-aspects.html
"His responses and choices are those of a master technician; he
gives each note unique shading and inflection and, especially
with bow in hand, he conjures rich harmonics and deep warming
resonance." John Sharpe, The New York City Jazz Record
Earshot Jazz article January 2011
earshot.org/Publication/profiles/profile_Bisio_11.html
"... he is a marvelously inventive bassist
that seemingly has burst forth over the years as a musical
trunk rather than a branch. His technique is formidable, both
pizzicato and arco, and he taps into a virtually inexhaustible
wellspring of musical ideas when he plays."
Grego Applegate Edwards www.gapplegatemusicreview.blogspot.com2010/02/connie-crothers-and-michael-bisio-in.html
"Increasingly visible bassist Michael Bisio does
it all. Not content with being a fearsome soloist, Bisio is also
an enabling bandleader and potent composer."
"Two versions of the bassist's "Livin' Large" open the
proceedings, both providing ample space for the leader's full
dark tone allied with an almost tactile sense of catgut
vibrating against wood."
John Sharpe, All About Jazz www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=33171
"With over a half dozen highly recommended
sessions as leader, his work has been likened to David Izenzon,
Charlie Haden and Mingus and for good reason."
Laurence Donohue-Greene AAJNY www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=18023
"...(imagine a fearsome meta-bassist synthesizing
Oscar Pettiford, Charlie Haden, and Peter Kowald and you're on
the right track)..."
Dan Warburton, Paris Transatlantic www.paristransatlantic.com/magazine/monthly2000/08aug_text.html
"He carries with him the virtuosity to facilitate techniques
reflective of improvisational and traditional forms at the speed
of stream-of-consciousness..."
Dean Roberts, Opprobrium
"Listen to his interaction with Berger on "Constellation" and
you get an idea of the unsurpassed linear melodic-rhythmic
thrust of his approach."
Grego Applegate Edwards
www.gapplegate.com/blog10.html (scroll to
July 27, 2009)
"Bisio in particular has one of the
downright thickest bass tones of anyone playing the instrument
in free music these days - his style has a physical cast to it
that demands to be felt, not simply heard. "
Scott Hreha, One Final Note www.onefinalnote.com/reviews/g/giardullo-joe/now-is.asp
"But the performance of the disc comes from bassist Bisio, his
heartbreakingly articulate arco work full of tar and resin."
David Keenan, The Wire
"...the concert reaches its high climax with broad-hints to A
Love Supreme and hieratic India, provided by Bisio ..."
Antonio Terzo www.jazzreview.com/article/review-7391.html
"The physicality of Mr. Bisio's bass
playing puts him in touch with numerous predecessors in the
avant-garde, but his expressive touch is distinctive;..."
Nate Chinen, The NY Times