Orrick Ewing

O’rrick Leander Ewing and was born in Lansing, Michigan and began his career at the age of 10 years old. By the mid 70’s is where his funk style was developed while playing in clubs in and around the mid-Michigan area. That was when he was spotted by Chip Star who at the time was a member of “Parliament/Funkadelic”, which it was then that Or'rick was introduced to George Clinton, which landed him the job as one of the bass players. After spending the rest of the 70’s with P-Funk, he joined a band from Columbus, Ohio called Crowd Pleasers who had the r&b hit “Freaky People” on the westbound record label, the same label as P-Funk. Crowd Pleasers also incorporated another musician by the name of “Kenny (babyface) Edmonds” on guitar. Working the Funk As time past, Or'rick join-up with long time friend ”Larry McCray” a powerhouse blues guitarist, and played various blues venues, such as; the House of Blues in Boston, New Orleans, and Chicago, and B.B Kings in Memphis and New York, and festivals around the country. While playing with Larry in Nashville, Tennessee, a representative from Gibson Musical Instruments quickly offered him his first endorsement deal through “Steinberger Basses”. They made a custom 5-string bass with a purple-sunburst finish (he’s custom color); that he still uses today, along with his mid-bass Spector 4-string with piccolo bass strings. At the request of Gibson, Or'rick did a bass clinic at the NAMM show in Nashville, where he played with legendary drummer “Bernard Purdie”. He also played the Basses Loaded concert with “Victor Wooten and Steve Bailey “later that evening. It was not to long after that, that he was approached by the legendary Joe Ligon of the “Mighty Clouds of Joy”. Or'rick became the first bass player to play with the Clouds full time. Original bassist Richard Wallace held down the position for thirty-years, until it was handed over to Or'rick. His success with the Clouds earned him a Grammy nomination for the album “It was you”, and was also part of the group when they were inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Or'rick also played with another gospel legendary group "Spencer Taylor & The Highway Q.C's". He has played many television shows, such as; “Good Morning America, David Letterman, Bobby Jones Gospel, The Stellar Awards”, just to name a few. O’rrick has also performed at one of the most famous venues “The Hollywood Bowl” which he would like to go back to someday to perform. After thirty-five years of playing, we would have to say that when it comes to bass players, Or'rick ranks with the best of them. Or'rick has also played behind the likes of, Aretha Franklin and Smokey Robinson. Or'rick has also shared the stage with the likes of, The Gap Band, Earth, Wind & fire, & The O'Jay's. The recent release of the "Evan Almighty" soundtrack gives Or'rick his first soundtrack performance on Tracy Edmond's "never give up" on the Curb Record Label. Or'rick also plays Drums, Keys, and Guitar which is showcased on all of the songs on this profile.I made this myspace background at BackgroundStation.com