LONNIE PLAXICO bassist, composer, and producer in the music industry!
Lonnie Plaxico, the middle child in a large family of outstanding musicians. He was born and raised in Chicago, where his inherited gift of music was discovered and nurtured. Lonnie Plaxico started playing music at an early age; by the age of twelve he had taught himself how to play the electric bass. At the age of fourteen he was performing along side several prominent Chicago Jazz figures. Plaxico's first recording featuring his family's band took place when he was just sixteen years old. He ventured more into Chicago's music scene, renowned for its mix of jazz, funk and blues as he enhanced his musical skills. Lonnie Plaxico became professional, known for playing the electric and acoustic bass with equal facility.
Lonnie Plaxico moved to New York in 1980 and soon began to appear with such artists as Chet Baker, Dexter Gordon, and Wynton Marsalis. His first extended tenure was with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers: between 1983 and 1986. Lonnie performed on twelve of Blakey's albums, including the Grammy Award-winning, New York Scene. In 1986 he joined Jack DeJohnette's Special Edition, continuing with that group until 1993. Plaxico was the musical director and featured bassist for singer, Cassandra Wilson for eighteen years.
Lonnie Plaxico's recording and performance catalog is equally impressive for its caliber, depth and diversity. He has appeared with such luminaries as Sonny Sitt, Junior Cook, David Murray, Alice Coltrane, Stanley Turrentine, Joe Sample, Abbey Lincoln, and Dizzy Gillespie. Just as noteworthy are his performances with younger artists -- among them Steve Coleman, Rachelle Farrell, and Dianne Reeves. Lonnie has also recorded with Bill Cosby, Lonnie Liston Smith, Ravi Coltrane, and Barbara Dennerlein, as well as his Grammy-winning collaborations with Art Blakey and Cassandra Wilson. Lonnie Plaxico Group has also recorded 11 critically acclaimed albums as the composer and producer, such as:
Plaxico (1990), Iridescence (1992), Short Takes (1993), With All Your Heart (1994), Emergence (2000), Melange (2001), Lonnie Plaxico Group Live at the 5:01 Jazz bar (2002), Rhythm and Soul (2003), Lonnie Plaxico Group Live at the Jazz Standard (2004), Lonnie Plaxico Group So Alive (2004) Japan-only, and NEW RELEASE (2006) Lonnie Plaxico Group -West Side Stories
Lonnie Plaxico's musicianship is best expressed in his masterful integration of different forms, combining the rigorous technique of classical, the improvisation of jazz, and the rawness of funk into one exhilarating musical experience.
Performances:
Geri Allen, Art Blakey, Tom Brown & Jimmy Owens, The Chilites, Steve Coleman, Alice Coltrane, Ravi Coltrane, Junior Cook, Jack DeJohnette, Bobby Enrica, Rachelle Farrell, Sonny Fortune, Chico & Von Freeman, Dexter Gordon, Slide Hampton & The World of Trombones, Barry Harris, Antonio Hart, John Hicks, Jay Hogart, Thelma Houston, Hank Jones, Rodney Jones, Cyndi Lauper, Kirk Lightsey, Carmen Lundey, Junior Mance, Chuck Mangione, Branford Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, Keiko Matsui, Ronnie Matthews, Mulgrew Miller, David Murray, David "Fat Head" Newman, Greg Osby, Dianne Reeves, Joe Sample & the Jazz Crusaders, Bud Shank, Woody Shaw, Melvin Sparks, Dakota Staton, Sonny Stitt, Clark Terry, Harold Vick, Jack Walrath, Cassandra Wilson, Allen Youngblood
Soundtracks:
School Daze (1988 - Director: Spike Lee)
Love Jones (1996 - Director: Theodore Witcher)
The Score (2002) Robert Deniro
Videos & DVD's:
Cassandra Wilson & George Benson - Montreaux Jazz Festival (1998)
Art Blakey Documentary (1986)
Branford Marsalis- Royal Garden Blues (1987)
Three Bassists Documentary - featuring Cecil McBee, Satee Debriano and Lonnie Plaxico (1988)
Rozalla - I love music (1993)
The Score" Robert Deniro(2002)
Appearances:
Television - David Letterman, Conan O'Brien, Charlie Rose, The Today Show, The Morning Show, Joan Rivers Show
Movies - Junior (1994 - Directed by Ivan Reitman, starring Arnold Schwartzenegger), Major Jazz Clubs & Festivals (US & Abroad)
Various Benefit Performances
Awards/Distinctions:
Louis Armstrong Jazz Award (1978)
Charles Mingus & Fred Zimmermann Bass Competition (1980): Third Place Award and Most Promising Young Bassist Award
Listings - Grove's Dictionary of Music, The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
Endorsements:
Patterson Basses (Electric Bass), Fodera (Electric Bass), Applied Microphone Technology (microphone) SWR amps and speakers.
