Clark Sommers profile picture

Clark Sommers

About Me

Now based in New York city via Chicago, Clark has toured and performed extensively throughout the world. He has performed with Cedar Walton, Kurt Elling, Kevin Mahogany, Ira Sullivan, Frank Wess, Charles McPherson, Peter Bernstein, Von Freeman, Lin Haliday, Maurice Brown, Bobby Broom, Jeff Parker, Ron Perrillo, Jodie Christian, Michael Weiss, George Fludas, Dana Hall, Kimberly Gordon, Ted Sirota's Rebel Souls, and The Chicago Jazz Orchestra. Clark has also been a member of the Dan Cray trio for eight years. From 1997 to 1999 Clark performed and toured with Sony Recording Artists “The Mighty Blue Kings,” an internationally recognized rhythm and blues band. He was the bassist on their critically acclaimed album “Live from Chicago,” and received significant local and national media exposure. During his stint with MBK, he also performed at international jazz festivals in the US, Ireland, France and Canada, sharing bills with Tony Bennett, Diana Krall, B.B. King, Dr. John, The Staples Singers, Koko Taylor and Buddy Guy. Clark's touring experience also extends to Asia. In Singapore, Hong Kong, and Korea he performed with the Eden Atwood Quartet.Clark completed his undergraduate degree in Jazz Studies and World Music at California Institute of the Arts, where he studied with bass masters Charlie Haden and Darek Oles. While living in Los Angeles, Clark performed with Leo Smith, Vinny Golia, the Charlie Haden Liberation Orchestra, Joe La Barbara Sextet, Los Angeles Jazz Quartet, Kris Tiner, Anthony Enns, Jason Mears, and Larry Koonse. In June, 2007 Clark received an honorable mention at the International Society of Bassists Convention.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 27/12/2007
Band Members: Dan Cray Trio:Dan Cray(piano), Greg Wyser-Pratte(drums). Geof Bradfield Quartet:Ron Perrillo(piano), George Fludas(drums). Dana Hall Quartet:Dana(drums),Geof Bradfield(saxes), John Wojciechowski(saxes). Other folks too.
Influences: Obvious canonical figures throughout the history of Jazz and Soul. Majors:Duh.--Trane etc. etc. Sam and Dave, S. Wonder, Don Hathaway, James Brown, Joni Mitchell, especially with Jaco, Henry Grimes(live with S. Rollins), Ron Dewar, The Soul Album, Joyce, Booker T., Duck Dunn, Bobby Broom, Miles, Duke, The drumming of Jeff Ballard and Brian Blade, Ben Webster, Joao Gilberto(Brazil, for that matter), CCR, Wes, The Spoon Concerts with Leroy and Mel Lewis, Basie, Roberta Flack, Dionne Warwick, Jerry Jemmott, Zero 7, Albert Stinson(overlooked), Chico Hamilton, Scientists of Dub, Lee Perry, Pluto is a planet, Al Green, Cachao, Kneebody, The Meters, Dana Hall, Steve Lacy, The Police, Allman Bros, John Paul Jones-Zep, Pfunk and P.rrillo(RON), Syl Johnson, Sly and the Fam, Cecil Taylor, Pharoh, Leo Smith. Earth, Wind and Fire, Music for 18 Musicians. bass by L. Grenadier, Marc Johnson, Scott Colley, Ugonna Okegwo, Dennis Carroll and Avishai Cohen as well as other modern bassists, Jeff Parker, Radiohead, John Mayer "Live" with Pino, Israel Crosby, Eddie Harris, Aretha, Ray Brown, Hendrix, various hip-hop and neo-soul artists but not until much later- mostly D'Angelo, Jill Scott, Wu-Tang Clan, A Tribe Called Quest and others, Robert Stone, Somerset Maugham, Hesse, Twain, Orwell, Ken Wilber, Moshe Feldenkrais, Hazrat Khan(and Ghingus Khan and Chaka Khan) Salinger, Dickens, James Dicky's Deliverance, Lonesome Dove, John Shelby Spong, Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, Chris Hitchens, Joesph Campbell, Chris Mccandless, Picasso, Degas, The Onion Field, Thief, Star 80,Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, Belly of an Architect, Witness for the Prosecution, The Verdict, The Beguiled, Outlaw Josey Wales, Hombre, The Trial, My Best Fiend, JT Walsh, David Cross, Smoque BBQ, Chicago style pizza, namely Dues(Sorry New York style, you leave me unsatiated), Hot Dougs, China Buffet, and many others including the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
Sounds Like: Bruce Lee----someday, maybe... know what I mean?
Record Label: imaginary
Type of Label: Major

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