Mike Hall (bassist)

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Mike Hall
Mike Hall 2020 Recap Promo.jpg
Background information
Also known asMichael Hall, [1] Mike Hall Bass
Born (1989-10-23) October 23, 1989 (age 34)
Origin Madison, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres Instrumental, pop, rock
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Bass guitar
Years active2010–present
Website mikehallbass.com

Mike Hall (born October 23, 1989) [2] is an American bassist from Madison, New Jersey. [3] [4] [5] Hall is best known for his bass playing style as a solo instrumentalist, primarily through a playing technique that blends the use of two handed tapping, slapping, flamenco, and creating several solo bass instrumental arrangements. [6] [7] [8]

Contents

Early life

Hall was born on October 23, 1989, and raised in Madison, New Jersey. While in elementary school, he began playing the cello as his first serious instrument. Upon entering middle school, Hall's orchestra teacher switched him onto the upright bass due to his poor posture from childhood scoliosis. [1] After graduating from Madison High School in 2008, Hall elected to switch over to playing the bass guitar. [5]

Musical career

Hall co-founded and managed the pop rock band Running Late. [1] In 2020, Hall left Running Late and pursued becoming a solo instrumentalist under the artist name of "Mike Hall Bass". [9] [10] [11]

Following his departure from the band, Hall received critical acclaim for his hybrid bass playing style that combines aspects of two handed tapping, slapping, and flamenco. [12] Hall's creative approach towards arranging solo bass instrumental covers has also been the subject of education within the bass playing community. [3]

Influences

Hall has cited numerous bassists as inspirations for developing his bass playing style, including Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers, Cliff Burton from Metallica, Larry Graham from Sly and the Family Stone, and Victor Wooten from Béla Fleck and the Flecktones. [13]

Education

Hall graduated from Centenary University as a double major in criminal justice and political science. [5] He also graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University with an MBA in marketing. [6]

Discography

Track list provided via Spotify. [14]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Keyz (23 September 2021). "Michael Hall -- Did You Say Bassist?". Keyline Magazine. p. 16,17.
  2. ↑ "Bio". MikeHallBass.com. Retrieved 2021-10-24.
  3. 1 2 "Artist to Artist: Creating for the Bass". Music Connection . 10 September 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  4. ↑ Cecolini, Vinny (14 July 2021). "Mike Hall – All About That Bass". The Aquarian Weekly . Archived from the original on 14 July 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 McSorely, Nora (8 April 2021). "Madison native, professional bassist, hones skills, longs for return to the road". New Jersey Hills Media Group . Archived from the original on 18 September 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  6. 1 2 Lucena, Jorge (8 November 2021). "Mike Hall: The Modern Pioneer of Solo Bass". Flaunt Magazine. Archived from the original on 19 January 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  7. ↑ Grant, Shawn (7 November 2021). "Bass Phenom Mike Hall covers "Heartless"". The Source Magazine . Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  8. ↑ Rothschild, Vanessa (6 June 2022). "Anything but Ordinary — Meet the N.J. residents who are forging their own path to the top". Advance Publications, Inc. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  9. ↑ "Mike Hall Releases Debut Solo EP 'The Next Step'". Bass Magazine. 17 March 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  10. ↑ Screen, Llewlyn (28 March 2021). "That special light: Mike Hall Bass adds his own ambiance to classic single on 'Owl City-Fireflies (Solo Bass Cover)'". A&R Factory. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  11. ↑ Howkins, Jane (23 December 2021). "Discovery: Mike Hall Bass". York Calling Magazine. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  12. ↑ Flava, Hardcore (26 October 2021). "Mike Hall Reinvents Bass Playing With 'Heartless' Cover By The Weeknd". This Is 50. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  13. ↑ Wein, Gary (15 March 2021). "An Interview With New Jersey Bassist Mike Hall". New Jersey Stage Magazine. Archived from the original on 29 March 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  14. ↑ "Discography". Spotify. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
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