Black & White photos by Andi Dalferth www.andi-dalferth.de
Background Photo courtesy of Eva Bauer-Oppelland
Member Since: 8/12/2006
Band Website: thejazznetwork.ning.com/profile/MichaelKraft
Band Members: I currently freelance in Germany, frequently performing with Artists including Randy Lee Kay - George Kousa - Daniel Messina - Rumba Sureña and many others!
Please visit the Artist Links below:
Drummer Daniel Messina www.danielmessina.de
Guitarist George Kousa www.georgekousa.de
Stuttgart’s Best Rock Band www.helldorados.com
View my page on THE JAZZ NETWORK
Influences: CONTRA BASSISTS include; Charlie Haden-Dave Holland-Ray Brown-Avishai Cohen-Chris Wood-Richard Davis-Marc Johnson-Paul Chambers.
ELECTRIC BASSISTS include; James Jamerson-Flea-Jaco-John Pattittucci-Rocco Prestia-Verdine White-Steve Swallow-Gary Willis.
JAZZ ARTISTS and COMPOSERS that influence my playing include; Clifford Brown-Art Blakey-Horace Silver-Bobby Watson-Carla Bley-Maria Schneider-Cassandra Wilson-Thad Jones-Elvin Jones-Dave Douglas-John Coltrane-Miles Davis-Oscar Peterson-John McLaughlin-Bill Frisell-John Scofield-Chick Corea-Pat Metheny-Frank Zappa and many others!
POP ARTISTS/BANDS that are heavy influences include; Erykah Badu-Stevie Wonder-Karl Denson-Gov't Mule-RHCP-Dave Matthews Band-Radiohead-Steely Dan.
TEACHERS that have helped to shape my direction in life include Steve Clarke (CT), John Adams (TX), Dana Landry & Erik Applegate (TN), and non-musicians-but-nonetheless-influential Professor Edward Kimbrell (TN) and Bikram Choudhury (LA).
Sounds Like: Review of ’Latin Journey’ by Bass Professor Magazine (GER) 01/2008
"The 3 gentlemen Kraft (B), Landry (P) and Messina (DR) recorded a diversified Latin Jazz album at the renowned Bauer Studios in Ludwigsburg. The trio format is challenging - one has to think hard to produce an album that’s not boring or dull. At the same time the three-piece leaves a lot of room for creative expression. This objective was definitely achieved by the group with their 9 instrumental pieces: ‘Latin Journey’ is airy and groovy and features challenging unison-breaks that do not come across as forced or arrogant. With Windmill Basses and TecAmp Amplification, Michael Kraft makes a name for himself in the scene with a sultry, warm tone. He gets praise for his amazing fretless tone on ’Our Spanish Love Song’ by Charlie Haden. ‘Latin Journey’ is an album that makes you hungry to see the live performance!" (Lars Lehmann)
Equipment Endorsements:
The finest custom Basses
Handmade Amplification
Acoustibass 5 - Unparalled Fretless Tone!
The finest handmade strings
Cables that speak the Truth!
Buy the Debut CD Latin Journey:
The Link for Europe - Preview and order ’Latin Journey’ direct from the Neuklang website!
The CD Baby link for the North American market
Also available at iTunes!
Record Label: Neuklang
Type of Label: Indie