Essiet Essiet

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Essiet Okon Essiet (born September 1, 1956) is an American jazz double bassist.

Contents

Early life and education

Essiet Essiet was born in Omaha, Nebraska, to Nigerian immigrant parents. His family moved frequently due to his father's work with both the U.S. and Nigerian governments, exposing Essiet to various cultures, languages, and musical traditions from an early age. [1] He began his musical studies on the violin at the age of 10 but switched to the bass at 14 while living in Portland, Oregon. [2] Essiet attended Mount Hood Community College, where he further honed his musical skills. He founded the Intercontinental Bush Orchestra in 1995. [3] [4]

Biography

Essiet's parents were Nigerian immigrants to the United States. [5] Born in Omaha, Nebraska, he studied violin as a child, then learned both bass guitar and stand-up bass as a high schooler in Portland, Oregon. After attending Mount Hood Community College, he played briefly in Los Angeles before working in Europe during the early 1980s with fellow American jazz musician Famoudou Don Moye. In 1983 he moved to New York City, playing with Abdullah Ibrahim, [6] Art Blakey, Marty Cook, and Ralph Peterson Jr. [7]

Essiet Essiet has had many collaborations, including with George Adams, Ron Affif, Kenny Barron, [8] the Blue Note All-Stars, Paul Bollenback, [9] Donald Brown, Bruce Cox, Kurt Elling, Kenny Garrett, Benny Golson, Jim Hartog, David Hazeltine, Freddie Hubbard, Victor Jones, Joe Locke, Kevin Mahogany, Cedar Walton, Bobby Watson, [10] and the group Bluesiana Triangle (with Dr. John and David “Fathead” Newman). [11]

Discography

As a Leader:

With Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers

With Bluesiana Triangle (Dr. John and David "Fathead" Newman)

With George Cables

With Vincent Herring

With Frank Morgan

With Benny Powell

With Abdullah Ibrahim

With Donald Brown

With Bobby Watson

With Ralph Peterson

As Sideman


References

  1. Jazz, All About (2021-07-10). "Essiet Essiet Musician - All About Jazz". All About Jazz Musicians. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  2. "Official website of jazz bassist Essiet Okon Essiet". ESSIET OKON ESSIET, Jazz Bass. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  3. "Official website of jazz bassist Essiet Okon Essiet". ESSIET OKON ESSIET, Jazz Bass. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
  4. "MUSIC". June 15, 1997. pp. H.41.
  5. Lara Pellegrinelli, "Essiet Essiet". The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz . 2nd edition, ed. Barry Kernfeld.
  6. "Display Ad 61 -- No Title". The New York Times . New York, New York. April 8, 1988. pp. C.26.
  7. 1 2 Gilbert, Andrew (August 22, 2019). "ART BLAKEY'S LEGEND THRIVES WITH MESSENGER LEGACY: JAZZ DRUMMER RALPH PETERSON CELEBRATES HIS MENTOR ON TOUR". The Mercury News . pp. E18.
  8. "Cool Summer/Hot Summer". Jazziz. Gainesville, Florida: 30–36. Summer 2018.
  9. "South Beach Jazz Festival Presents Jazz With Soul and a Mission". Miami New Times (Online). Voice Media Group. December 29, 2023.
  10. 1 2 "New York's Horizon to Play Several Southland Venues: [Home Edition]". Los Angeles Times . June 16, 1994. p. 6.
  11. 1 2 Andrews, Marke (November 8, 1990). "Jazz: [4* Edition]". Vancouver Sun . pp. G.20.
  12. Silsbee, Kirk (December 2015). "Shona". DownBeat . 82 (12): 69.
  13. North, Peter (March 8, 2003). "The vault: [Final Edition]". Edmonton Journal . pp. E3.
  14. "14 Pop, Rock and Jazz Concerts to Check Out in N.Y.C. This Weekend". The New York Times (Online). May 10, 2018.